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Pet Portraits by Request

I did a few pet portraits for some friends and toon a commission to complete one by a customer ate a farmers market.

The first portrait was of Abby, a springer spaniel. We walk our dog Nico, along with Abby and a few other neighbors each evening. Abby is such a gentle dog. It took be 4 tries to get the true essence of Abby on paper. Learning that painting pet portraits isn’t easy. The big challenge for me is the eyes.

The other pet portrait is of a fellow artists “Shop cat” a Main coon cat that sits in his shop and watches him all day.

The final interesting part of the process if when a customer loved my dog paintings and asked if I had a painting of a Boston Terrier mix with one eye. I laughed and said not yet. he said he wanted done and he has his dog with him. He paid me for a small sized painting and we went over to his dog Buddy and too a number of pictures. Once I finish the piece I will send it to him in Texas.

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The challenge of outdoor markets

I have started to display my work at a couple of local farmers markets, with some minor success. Maybe a dozen vendors if we are lucky and as few as 50 people during the day. But it’s good to get out and work through setting up and displaying my art. I will have to make a list of booth fixtures I must bring. Today I forgot all my display racks and had to get my wife to bring them. Lucky it was not to far and she is a good sport.

The bigger challenge is one it the villages has become a “hot spot” and I believe that market will close. None the less I and learning and making connections with other crafters. It’s a real community, with interesting people

I also completed a few paintings this pas week and have added them to this post. Sold my kingfishers at the last market so wanted to do more.

I will be showing at the Strand-Ed art show on 9/26 10/3 and 10/10. It is a series of outdoor markets just for art. I will have to use my pop-up tent. Glad I have one, and I am working on display details.