Oliver Memorial Pet Portrait

I got a request for a custom dog portrait - but it was for a memorial portrait of a pooch for a dear friend. It's not unusual to receive these requests. It reminds me of our dogs that I will never forget - a golden and a borzoi. But I don't always get a thank you note from the recipient. It was unexpected and so touching. I'm so pleased I could recreate Oliver's likeness and so appreciate the kind words. Those furry critters bring a special something - and it's hard to forget them. 

A Heartfelt Sentiment

I just saw that requests for dog licenses has skyrocketed in DC. I'm not surprised because we see so many of them in our neighborhood and it has been said if you want a friend in Washington - get a dog. This town is also a lot tougher to live in than many others. It's very different from Milwaukee in so many ways! Last week I received an unexpected email from someone I did a custom pet portrait for last year. "I wanted to thank u again for doing our dog, Kota's picture....the yellow lab....he passed away this morning...im glad i had u do it - u captured him perfectly...i was just looking at the picture....i really do love it....so does my husband....we really appreciate it..." Two dogs have graced our family - a golden retriever and a Borzoi. And it's so tough to see them go. I suppose that's why I really enjoy creating pet portraits. Since we no longer have one of our own it sort of fulfills the need. And when I get an unexpected note like this it makes me feel even better. 

One Thousand Views on Etsy

It is a little business after all. I've had my Etsy shop about two years. I paint custom pooch and cat portraits, and all kinds of other things using my IPad as the canvas and a stylus as the brush. I always check my stats to see daily activity. Recently the daily views are reaching 1,000! It usually happens near the holidays and it makes me feel good to know people are browsing my LIT Digital Paintings Shop and sending me questions for more information and requesting special orders. I wish I had more time in the day! My husband was just relaying some information about Etsy in an article he was reading. I like the idea that the shop owners feel like they have a real store. It requires good customer service, and marketing, and a lot of time on social media. I don't think of it as work - just a delightful hobby and something I really enjoy. Thanks for looking! I appreciate your business. 

Staples - Ink and Coffee

It's an expensive habit but a necessary one. I use my desktop printer to make 8 x 10 prints of my dog and cat portraits to mount on foam board and hang in the Wagtime shop on Capitol Hill across from the Historic Navy Yard. I also need to print 4 x 6 photos of the items I receive for commissioned orders so I can first sketch the subject. I then look at the photo as my "subject" while I'm painting the portrait on my iPad - no different, and no easier, than using a paintbrush on a canvas. Regardless, I need to get replacement ink for my printer, as I have been printing a lot lately because of several holiday requests. So we rode over to Alexandria to the Staples shop, and used my "discount" ink and toner savings pass to save a couple bucks. While there, we picked up a few Keurig Coffee K cup packs as we just ran out over the recent Thanksgiving dinner! So we killed two birds with one stone and it was a delightful ride on a brisk sunny day. Now I need to get to work as those portraits are calling!