Hello Everyone!

What a great start we had to the autumn, how lovely we were all treated to a mini heatwave so we could enjoy being outdoors that little bit longer before we all hibernate!

Let me tell you what’s been happening my end, it been a while since I’ve been in contact!

PetPortraitsByJennie.com makes a new friend!

The last Sunday of July I had a brilliant weekend setting up stall at the Forest Dog Rescue annual summer fete!

The Forest Dog Rescue are a small and very friendly dog rescue centre based in Kidderminster, I came to know about them though my friend Dave, who visitors to my website may realise was the owner of the lovely Sam, who was in fact a rescue dog from this centre!

The weather was fantastic and brought out a good crowd to support a fantastic cause. I met lots of lovely people and lots of friendly dogs! I very much look forward to supporting them in the future!

Vegas has all the Luck!

August was also a lucky month for the Shugborough Country Fair prize draw winner – Josey from Cannock! After contacting Josey I was chuffed to find out I’d be commissioned to draw her family pet rabbit, Vegas!

I was so happy that Josey loved her piece when she received it, and so does her 18 month old son, the picture is now above his cot so he can look at it! Josey was so kind to allow me to post some pictures she took of it on my facebook page so please click on this link and take a look! ☺

Christmas is Just Around the Corner… Eeek!

This is just a friendly reminder folks!

Seems hard to imagine with all this warm weather but Christmas will soon be upon us! It sneaks up on me every year, so this is just a reminder to any of you that are thinking of commissioning me for a Christmas gift, or if it’s a gift for you that you want before Christmas (!) to please get in touch soon to avoid disappointment!

I’ll leave it there for now but I hope to hear from you soon!

Bye for now!

Jennie

Shugborough Country Show

Well, it’s been well over a fortnight since we enjoyed the great atmosphere and weather of the Shugborough Country Show!

And what a brilliant show it was for PetPortraitsbyJennie.com!  Not only did I get loads of positive feedback from show-goers (very much appreciated!), a lot of you signed up to my blog to be in with the chance to win 1 A4 pastel piece (prize is being drawn tomorrow)!

As a lot of you this week are new comers to my blog let me tell you a bit about it! I like to let people know what I’m up to occasionally, what I’m working on that week, what shows I’m attending and generally keep you up to date with any special offers which may tempt you!

In the Press!

And, rather unexpectedly, I also got my ‘15 minutes of fame’ in the local press with my picture featured in the Star & Express – I’ll be painting Hollywood Chihuahuas in no time…!

Good luck in the prize draw!

To those of you in the prize draw – good luck!  And thank you to all the new comers who have signed up to my blog, I hope you will find it useful, and entertaining!

Bye for now!

Jennie

Pet name: Sam (affectionately known as ‘Sam Sam’)

When: Christmas 2010 (gift)

Sam is a Lurcher-Greyhound cross and lives with Dave and Janna, who brought him home from a dog rescue centre a couple of years ago. Dave and Janna are friends of mine and they LOVE Sam. Now in his twilight years he spends most of his days lazing on his bed in the lounge under the telly, looking up at his owners affectionately, waiting for his next treat.

I was approached by Dave and Janna as they wanted a picture of Sam for Dave’s parents as a Christmas present, who look after him a lot and keep him company while they’re at work.

They liked the idea of him being on canvas and wanted his placid personality to come across in his picture, for him to be painted ‘as they see him’. I immediately thought of Sam on his bed, under the telly all chilled out, where I’ve seen him time and time again. I thought this would work brilliantly on canvas and suggested this to Dave and Janna, who loved the idea, so I set to work!

Sam was painted with acrylic on a 20”x30” canvas, quite big! He’s a black and white dog but looks predominantly grey on his face. His subtle markings around his nose and eyes were a bit a challenge, but so important to get right.

The overall look I wanted to create was contemporary but not formal, for the painting to have a bit of warmth and some humour. He takes up a lot of the canvas and there’s very little background, which was left white for that ‘high key’ affect. I was pleased with the finished piece and Dave and Janna loved it, and it had good reviews from the parents! Dave and Janna now want a picture of Sam for their wall, which I can’t wait to start! So watch this space for Sam Sam to make a second appearance on my blog!

Pet names: Treblig and Brownie

When: Christmas 2010 (gift)

Treblig and Brownie are two cats belonging to Alex and Andy. To Alex her cats are ‘her boys’ and she truly cares for them. They couldn’t be more different, Treblig is a short haired black and white cat, Brownie is a ginger and white fur ball!

Andy approached me wanting a Christmas gift for Alex and already had a photo in mind, where they were sat together all curled up. He didn’t want it too big but liked the idea if it being on canvas. I thought a canvas, little over A3 in size would be perfect.

Treblig and Brownie were painted with acrylic, it was particularly fun painting Brownie in all his furry glory. Brownie and Treblig also have two very different faces so although challenging it was good fun getting there unique features on canvas!

Alex was very happy with her painting, and gave me the fantastic compliment of how when she looks at it she see’s ‘her boys’ and how great it was I managed to portray that on canvas.

I have a strong background in art. Growing up there was always crayon in my hand, which then got promoted to colour pencil, then further up the career ladder to felt tip, then much to my excitement – the proper grown up paint brush!

At school I took Art GCSE, where I gained an A* and proceeded further to college where I took Art A level and achieved grade B.

Then my brushes experienced downtime for quite a number of years while I was at university, getting a full time job and settling down with a mortgage!

I’ve always considered art my hobby and have always done the odd painting for a friend or family member and, after much encouragement from them, I’m offering my ideas and products to you! Please take the time to look at what I do and feel free to e-mail or call me to chat further!

Thank you

Jen