Tuesday, August 16, 2008. My Apartment is Now an Art Gallery.

On Sunday I had some paintings lying around and my roommate and I had the following conversation:

Lauren: You should hang those on the wall.

Me: Really?

Lauren: I mean, I think we have a hammer.

Our third roomate was in New York and without asking her we turned our hallway into an art gallery.  Although most of the paintings hanging will shortly be delivered to their rightful owners, it will be a rotating exhibition space. 

We had a few people over that night and the all thought it was a great idea.  I tagged the picture above to my other roommate and captioned it something along the lines of “hope Allison doesn’t mind.” Then about five minutes later I got the following text message:

“I don’t mind. I love it!”

then she reminded me that it will be a better option for showing off my work than telling people to go out on my balcony and thumb through them themselves. 

I can’t say the management at my apartment complex will be thrilled, but we don’t move out until May. So I can’t be bothered.

Monday, August 16, 2008. Bevo.

As a graduate of the University of Texas living in Dallas, it was only a matter of time until I tried my hand at a longhorn. I suppose I did a pretty good job as a former kicker for the UT football team thinks it looks good.  Since I don’t have a real purpose for this one, he is for sale, so let me know if you are interested. 

Sunday, August 14, 2008. Oscar De La Worsham.

Oscar is the first “child” of my best friend Amanda and her husband Ric.  They just got him recently and he is adorable! His puppy pictures are so cute they kind of made me want to puke.  Anyway, I promised Amanda I’d do a portrait for her and Rick.  About 2 seconds after I posted his pictures on facebook I recieved the following text message:

“It’s awesome ric loves it. When do I get it? What size is the canvas?”

Saturday, September 13, 2008. Hallie

 

So, its been awhile, I know, but I have been working on things.  I can’t help it if I also have a stellar social calendar.  This painting marks my official first paid comission.  Up until now I have been working for friends and family painting dogs that I know.  Hallie, a black lab, belongs to a friend of a friend and was REALLY fun to paint.

Her owner requested a gallery style canvas, so Hallie wraps all the way around.  She also requested that I use complete artistic liberty and do something a little funkier. And of course I was happy to oblige for this dream client.  I may go back and touch her up a bit, but I am REALLY pleased with how she came out.  I hope her owner loves her as much as I do!

Monday, August 18, 2008. Poppies Dogs.

My friend Christine got wind of Sophiecat and asked me to paint her grandparents’ two dogs for them as a gift.  Christine and I have been through a lot, so I told her just to pay me for supplies, but I had no idea how much fun I would have painting these guys. Especially the one on the right.  I rarely paint a dog in brown, so it was interesting. 

Also, painting ViviAnne, the Bichon Frisee on the left was really challenging, as I’m finding most white fluffy dogs to be, but I am really pleased with how she came out (although I think she is a little cartoony).  I know Christine’s grandparents are really special to her, and I know the dogs are special to them, so I am getting really excited to hear about their reaction. 

This was Christine’s response-

At 9:26 she sent me this message:

“OH MY GOSH!!!! Emily, it’s beautiful!!! I can’t stop smiling right now and I’m about to break out into tears!!Thank you so much!!! You are truly amazing!!!! “

 

And then after mulling it over for a whole 17 minutes she wanted to add:

“I just decided that as soon as I get a puppy I am going to have you paint her too…that way I can preserve her little puppy face forever!! “

I love the reaction! Thanks for the compliments Christine!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Untitled.

I started working on this guy while I was waiting on some comissioned pictures. Unfortunately, the poor guy doesn’t have a name since I don’t actually know him. 

So, I’m letting you decide.  Leave me a comment with what you think he should be titled. I’ll pick a winner and give you some kind of prize.  I’m not even kidding.

Monday, August 18, 2008. Progress.

I know it’s been awhile since I posted anything new, that’s not for lack of painting.  My digital camera was stolen a few months back, so I have been mooching off of my two roomies.  Unfortunately, Allison’s camera was recently dropped in a margarita and Lauren was out of town (thus unmoochable).

But, big news, I’ve completed Poppy’s Dogs (for Christine) and I’m pretty pleased.  I painted a little more conservatively, since it will belong to someone’s grandparents.  I am also about 90% done with a new painting of a black lab that has bumped Frankie Sue out of second place in my heart. He is sadly untitled thus far. 

I also started this beagle puppy for my friend Amanda:

They named him Oscar de la Worsham… too funny.  He’s about 60% done.  I am painting him on a square canvas so its a fun change. 

In other news, I am working on a HUGE picture of a dog catching a ball in the air that I think would look really great in someone’s house with a big wall and a stair case. It’s so awkward to paint.  I have to lean it against my easel on the floor and stand to paint the top and sit to paint the bottom (I’m 5′3”). I’ll keep you up to date on that, but Ive just started the underpainting so far. 

I’m also still working on Charlotte York but I’m having a really hard time getting the painting to look like the dog.  It’s almost there.  Hopefully I can get that little furball out of my life soon!

While I was waiting on some people to send me pictures today I started a painting of a snoozing doberman that I think will be really visually interesting.  I am trying to get some work done that I can display if I get a booth in Canton.

And my room mate Allison has finally decided to take advantage of my tallents by getting me to paint this guy:

He’s got so much character, I can’t wait to see how he turns out. 

My cousin also asked me to paint their Schnouser, Gina. But that is (sorry) kind of on the back burner right now.  I might start it tomorrow though.

Other than those few, I’m waiting on pictures of a black lab named Hallie, and a few of my friend Jill’s co-workers who showed some interest early on.  My aunt Kristen is also pounding the pavement and trying to get some of her friends to comission me. So if you are reading this and thinking, “gee, Emily doesn’t sound NEARLY busy enough.” You are right, comission me!

Monday, August 18, 2008. Rave Reviews.

Case # 1:

I was pleasantly suprised by a letter in the mail addressed to “Emily Skipper Pet Portriature” on Saturday.  I will have to scan it in or take a picture for everyone to fully enjoy later but inside I found a note from THE Anna Mackin:

“Dearest Emily,

Thank you so  much for the amazing  portrait, ‘Sophiecat.’ I am working to have her framed in the full glory she deserves for display in South Bend. You are so talented and I had a blast this weekend!

Eagerly Anticipating a Chicago Visit XOXO,

Anna”

Thanks Anna! You are so sweet.

Case # 2:

I recieved this text message at 8:18 on Friday from Jill:

“[My mom] saw your website. She said you could charge a thousand and get away with it.”

Meanwhile my new friend Perry thought I was just making things up when I told him I paint dogs and cats until we had him and his room mate Brad over for Scrabble last week.  I think he was a little shocked that I wasn’t lying. Case in point for business cards. I can’t wait until they get here!

I promise pictures will be posted soon. Keep reading, and keep sending this link to your friends and family!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008. The Word Is Out

When I logged on to the Facebook today I was greeted with this little gem in my newsfeed…The picture is tiny, but it says:

Kristen Boren: “Hey! You have to check out Emily’s dog portraits. Visit her website on her facebook home page.”

Kallie Maddox: “YEs i saw them! I am eager for her to do one of jena!”

The word is out on the street.  Also, special thanks to Jill for spreading my website at your office.  I probably owe you some sort of Bird Dog Fee, but how about I just let you borrow my skinny mirror for a month.  There is seriously something to be said for high self esteem.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008. Business Cards.

It’s official! I ordered my business cards last night and elected Rufus my spokesdog.  I can only imagine the silly conversations that will lead me to hand these out.

“I paint dogs.”

“Excuse me?”

“No really, look, I have a business card.”