Summer 2019
It’s been a while since I last updated a blog post. I’ve been busy with commissions, having now finally caught up with all my orders from the Christmas markets. I’m delighted to say that the response to the paintings I’ve created for people has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve been blown away by some of the feedback, it’s wonderful. I love creating personalised paintings of beloved pets as I know how much these animals mean to us humans and how they impact on our lives. It’s a challenge attempting to capture the essential character of each animal, but as time goes on I can feel my confidence gradually increasing. So far this year I’ve painted a range of dogs from Dachshund to Labrador to Shorkie to Border Collie and even a Landscape and a Magpie painting for good measure!
Recently I also applied for a licence to Herefordshire Council to enable me to provide a Home Dog Boarding service. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and finally I completed the long winded application process and was granted the licence. It’s fantastic because it means we can provide a bespoke service for each doggy visitor and give them a nice holiday, whilst supplementing my income whilst working from home. We love having them to stay and both agree that having dogs in our lives again is life enhancing. Dogs are joyful creatures and it’s an absolute pleasure to be able to look after them for a living. It’s like a dream come true, especially as it fits in so nicely alongside my art.
I’ve changed my business name to Scratch and Scruff, to incorporate both the Dog Boarding and the Art into one name. Of course, if someone boards their dog with us there’s no pressure to order a commissioned painting but the option is always there 😉
I’ve started to have commission enquiries for Christmas now already; I don’t generally like to use that particular ‘C’ word any time before November but due to the nature of my work I’m afraid I must acknowledge it. I am taking orders and will start working on them soon in order to have them all ready in plenty of time. In the meantime, I plan to work on some more of my original designs and will be releasing them at various markets throughout the coming months. I will be increasing my online presence too by posting more regularly on social media (with the help of my tech savvy nieces!!)
For now though, I’m very much enjoying the summer months. Our little garden has been blooming, tweeting and buzzing with wildlife. Flowers, sunshine and dogs…what more could I ever ask for?!
We finally used a Christmas present from my niece, Faz, for a pottery experience at Eastnor Castle. It was great fun and was interesting to make something using an entirely different process other than a canvas and paintbrush. Pottery is something I’d love to learn more about, perhaps one day I’ll have the means to learn it properly. For now though, paint it is!
