First off, Take the Plunge was a rousing success. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hello! We had a draw for THREE bust portraits at the table, as well as inexpensive homemade grain free dog treats and dog tugs, canvas samples, and more. I had a great time, as did Finnegan. A few photos from the event (click to enlarge):

Our booth!

The morning dock diving lineup came right to our table.

Finn made new friends.

And of course, there was dock diving!

All in all, it was a very successful event for us, and more importantly, Finn and I had a LOT of fun meeting past and future clients. Thanks to the TtP crew for a great event, looking forward to next year!

I brought home something from Take the Plunge, as well…

Meet Freya!

I’ve had my eye on Freya since she came to the FRSO, and I finally got to bring her home! She’s small, like Porom, and deaf as a doorpost, like Porom. The two are a bit at odds, bullying each other a bit, but they’re slowly figuring out their pecking order. Both of the girls adore Barrett, natch.

The rescue did warn me that she was a firecracker, and boy…

They're quite right.

In other event news, we’ll be at the AWARE Festival on October 16th at the Rideau Carleton Raceway! Everyone should bring their favorite animal to this walkathon that benefits all the rescues that participate! We’ll be there with bells on. Not sure if I’m bringing Finnegan or a ferret, we’ll have to see!

I’ve also been busy making portraits lately. This portrait is for my good friend Chelsea who runs her own business creating custom ferret cage liners and soft furniture – check her out here! We bartered a portrait for a new cuddle cup that can fit three ferrets, since my old one barely fits one, yet they still all pile into it. These are her four ferrets – Bear, Bosco, Alastair and Surreal!

Too much cute in one portrait, I tell you.

Here is a terrible terribly AWESOME trio. My friend Katrina commissioned three bust portraits for her three dogs (well, one is her sister’s – close enough, right?).

This is Root!

This is Crickette!

And this is Gia!

Great fun, all three. Gia was especially a challenge: she was my first Chinese Crested, and getting the look of that mottled skin just right was a real trick, but I pulled it off! Thanks again, Katrina!

Last but not least for this batch is the gorgeous Kya!

Oh hai!

I met Kya and her owner at Take the Plunge, and her owner won one of the three bust portraits! YAY! Kya is a bullymix of absolute adorableness. She was a joy to draw.

We’re prepping for Christmas around here, and that means lots of incoming goodness. Be prepared!

Of course… Halloween is also coming up…

EVIL.

glubglubglub.

"Ahhhhhhh."

*shakeshakeshake*

I had the privilege of staying with some family for a few days this past week, and met some adorable dogs… and a raccoon. The raccoon was found as a baby and is being rehabilitated until release in spring! He gets along great with the dogs.

Oh hai. I haz a dog.

Rar!

In the land of the Recently Finished Portraits: Meet Sophie and Riley, a pair of adorable West Highland White Terriers!

Double the cute.

Thanks to Josh for the commission! The last summer promotion is going on until TOMORROW. All portraits 15% off!

Take the Plunge is in TWO WEEKS. I am very excited and I hope to see a lot of you there! Lots of planning to do still, but I’m so excited and pumped for it.

Woof!

Tommy is an adorable English Springer Spaniel who lives locally with his family. He’s an adorable older guy who was a joy to draw! Thanks again Liz!

Our final summer promotion is an epic one:

All, yes, ALL portraits are 15% off until August 31st, 2010!

Take advantage of this while you can! A great opportunity to get a portrait that may have otherwise been a bit out of budget.

These summer promos have been offered as a huge thanks to the many clients and customers I’ve had the pleasure of working with so far. We’re still a young business and it’s so wonderful top have such fun clients to work with! It’s a joy to do this for a living.

Flying through the Photoshop-brush night sky!

Referenced from a few friend’s photos of their dobermans (thanks guys!) as a practice piece. Folks that I’ve shown it to have given me great feedback, and seem to want ones of their own! I tend to like making existing animals into mythical beasts, like Finnegan earlier in the year:

Twisty.

And thena  few days ago, a portrait for Izzie pug as a foo dog. Quite neat!

Celestial Tennis Ball.

What do you guys think? Opinions? Potential addition to portrait options? Give me your feedback!

caw.

I have no idea why they’re here. I hope nothing died, but then… if they’re eating it, then it won’t leave a mess!

caw?

Could mean a bad omen, too, but I’ll ignore that tidbit.

It’s a busy week here, lots of portraits to work on. I get such varied subjects here, I’m excited to show the results. I also have a fun idea for my next and last summer promotion, something that introduces a new style of portrait to the mix. I hope folks like it! It’s different, but different can be good.

In safe hands.

It’s hardest for me to do portraits of my own animals. It’s not even that I’m extra picky with them, it’s that it’s more difficult for me to choose how to portray them, because I see them every day. This one, however, seemed to flow out of my fingers.

I can haz ball?

Molly is unfortunately no longer with us, but she was a beautiful girl who loved her tennis balls. Also my very first boxer, I hope it’s the first of many! They’re one of my favorite breeds, so goofy and lovey.

I won’t go crazy with plugs, but hey, sale.

Booooring.

Hanging out.

Thanks to ALL who have been helping us out with Take The Plunge thus far! We still need a good amount of help, so a reminder that the summer sale is still going on! Click below for info!

You can also click this button to donate directly to the cause:

In the meantime, I’m getting to work on what I’ve been given thus far! A busy Allie is a happy Allie.

Take The Plunge is a dock diving fun day in Ottawa where folks can come out with their dogs for a fun day of vendors, sport demos and dock diving. It’s being hosted by eight rescues:

• Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline
• Boston Terrier Rescue Canada
• Boxer Rescue Ontario
• Bullies in Need
• Cat Rescue Network
• Catahoula Rescue
• Collie Rescue Network
• Ferret Rescue of Ottawa and Area (whom I actively volunteer with!)

It is my goal to not only get the supplies needed to have an AlliePets booth at the event, but to also be able to donate to the event itself. I have never had a booth at an event before, so I’ve been working on a budget for the things I need.  A lot of supplies I need are “one-time” purchases that I will be able to use for booths at many events in the future. These types of items include:

• a 6′ folding table
• a small dolly for transporting items
• a simple sun shelter
• tablecloth
• an outdoor banner

These initial costs tend to pile up, and those costs compiled with costs of the products I intend to sell make up a sizeable fee.

This event is looking at 2,000 attendees, so it will be an excellent promotional opportunity for me. I plan on selling my handmade dog tugs, dog treats/cookies, t-shirts and bandanas, as well as having a portfolio of my pet portrait work on display and business cards available.

If anyone wants to donate to this cause, I happen to have an excellent summer promotion going on that you can take advantage of! Duotone sketches are only $20 and full-colour bust portraits are only $45! (Click the image to go to my website.)

Alternately, if you wish to donate to the fund-raising initiative, please feel free to do so via Finnegan’s Dorky Dock Diving Donate button below. All donaters will recieve a free gift, so please note your name and email address when donating! Any extra funds raised will be given as a donation to the rescues running this amazing event.

Thank you all for your ongoing support!

In honour of it being summer, and summer being awesome, I’m doing several rounds of summer promotions! This is promo #2 – one of the best, as sketches and bust portraits are two of my most popular portrait types! Part of the reson I’m doing such a big summer promotion is so that we can raise money to get our products of to a roaring start, because…

Finnegan and I will be representing AlliePets at Take The Plunge in September!

I’m hoping for Finnegan to try some dockdogs, and AlliePets will have a table set up. In order for us to do this, we have to do some investing into product creation, so every little bit counts now more than ever! Please spread the word about our ongoing summer promotions, we would appreciate it greatly!

Here’s a recent portrait I did of a corgi, Frodo!

Frodoman!

Frodo is so adorable, I love him. I’ve drawn a ton of corgis lately, and I can’t say I’m complaining.

Back into the waves of heat we go. It’s been ridiculously hot and humid here these past few weeks. Finnegan and I have to go outside to play in short “shifts”. Thank Dog for air conditioning.

We go inside, I chase cat, drink water, than we come back out.