Zazzle LITDigitalart Update

I’ve been dabbling in digitalart since the iPad came out in 2010. Every time a custom pet portrait is completed, it is uploaded to a variety of sites like Fine Art America/Pixels, Etsy, Redbubble. I got an email from Zazzle the other day that said I have not uploaded any new products lately - which I haven’t for a variety of reasons. So I figured I better get cracking. Last month two pet portraits were completed right before I had my first cataract surgery and those images would be perfect candidates. Since it’s been a while I had to try and remember the process and finally figured it out - again. And after that was done the same images were uploaded to Redbubble and FAA too. It’s not that I get a lot of traction for these images and products but it’s still thrilling whenever these products get attention from all over the world. Now digital art is common place. Lately I’ve been working on combining photos and digital art work for the 52Frames weekly photo challenge. It’s more fun to create a project rather than just edit a photo. Maybe I should start uploading some of those?

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. 

Chicagoland Eskie Auction

How time flies! Last year I participated in the Chicagoland Eskie Recue auction by contributing a handmade digital pet portrait. So this year I did the same. It's for a good cause and keeps me in the loop. All the donated items are posted on line on Facebook. Then during the auction timeline, people make bids on the item they are most interested in, and are reminded when someone has outbid them, to encourage more bidding. So I have been following the transactions and see that there has been some action on the portrait. Once the winner is declared, they will send a photo to me via email, and I will send back to them a custom portrait of their pooch using my iPad as my canvas. Last year the winner liked the portrait of the first pup so much, she requested another one of his sister. I think because we lived in Milwaukee for thirty years and spent a lot of time in Chicago over that time I feel a certain affinity to it. Some things sound so familiar to me, but are now so far away. This is a great way to be reminded. 

Digital Art Pet Portrait Memorial Feedback

I've been painting digital custom pet portraits for a few years. A lot of them are for friends and relatives that have lost their pets. Recently I was commissioned to paint a lovely scene for a friend as a tribute to the pooch she just lost. It was a great project because the dog just looked angelic and the background colors did her justice. Yesterday I received the kindest feedback from her. One of the best parts about doing the portraits is the interchange I have with the customers to set up the orientation, and get feedback about the progress as the painting progresses. By the end I feel like I know the pet and the person ordering it. Thanks for the kind words! I couldn't ask for much more than that. 

Custom Dog Portrait Feedback

I love to draw - I've been sketching since I was in kindergarten. I also love dogs. I have an Etsy shop that combines these two subjects. But now I use my iPad to create hand painted digital art rather than a sketchbook and pastels or watercolors.  Today I received such nice feedback on a portrait that I did for a Christmas present.

"I ordered a custom picture of my GSD from Lois as a surprise gift for my husband and son. This was my first experience using Etsy as well as doing business with Lois. Lois patiently walked me through the entire process. I sent her several pictures of my dog and she recommended the best one based on her expertise. She kept me in the loop throughout the entire process, often sending me pictures of the progress of her sketch. Her turnaround time was incredibly fast and the finished product was better than I could have ever hoped for. My husband and son were speechless and the picture is now proudly displayed in our den. Lois has such a gift and I am so grateful I stumbled across her site. We now have a picture we will treasure forever. Thank you Lois!!!"

Thanks J- you made my day. And it was such a great project too!

 

Snail Mail Delivery Rather Than On Line

Whenever I have a commission to do a digital portrait, the process is all virtual except for the last order. My mom, who lives out of state, has a friend who requested a portrait be made of a dog who lives in California with his owner. She sent me the photo of the dog in regular USPS mail. As usual, I created the portrait on my iPad. Once completed, after several bits of communication in between, I send the completed portrait by email as a jpeg image attachment. The person who requested it can print it using their printer, use it as a digital image, create a product using the image like a coffee mug or t-shirt, and be creative. This time however, I needed to print the image myself and mail it to the recipient as a gift. So I walked the package to the Longworth House Office Building today and got some stamps while I was there. I have to say it may be good exercise, but I much prefer the digital email approach to the standard hard copy UPS approach. But I'll do anything for my mom - even if it means printing something and walking to the post office. 

Wagtime Gallery Wall

The busy holiday season ended in December. I had about sixty custom dog and cat portrait requests. I finally had an opportunity to get all the supplies I needed to print, mat on foam board, and apply Velcro for hanging them all on the "gallery wall" at the Wagtime Shop on Capitol Hill. The additional twelve portraits make the total close to seventy! Every one is distinctly different from the other, as are the customers who find my website, Etsy Shop, or hear about digital art from somewhere. The nice thing about the transactions is they are all virtual and there is no shipping expense. But I need to print the images for the real display. And I really appreciate Lisa letting me use the space. If you asked me three years ago if I would be doing something like this I would have scratched my head. Now I can't imagine not!