That's Bud!
Bud’s portrait was actually delivered a day early and caught Dianne by surprise. She sent me these tweets before she cracked it open:
Then she grabbed a sharp knife and got to work!
Bud: A big dog biscuit?
The first flap pried loose!
At least one of them is happy it's not actually a dog biscuit.
Hey, that's my name.
One rip of that tissue paper and...
...Voila!
Hello Aimée!!
First of all let us say thank you so very very much!! We love the portrait!! We cannot believe our good fortune–to have such a lovely and personal work of art in our humble home. You are so very kind.
Mitzi (September’s free portrait winner) said that the portraits are even more beautiful in person and she was absolutely right! I was amazed when i saw the photo of the finished art online. I am even further amazed at the art in person! Our very own bud as a personal work of art! The work is gorgeous! And we are so happy and thankful!
-Dianne and Mark
Priceless.
Bud & Bud
And up it goes
The next contest
I hope to hold the next one some time in December. Like everything else at the end of the year, it’ll be here before you know it. So read up on the contest rules in the meantime and make sure you’re following me (@dogarteest) on twitter because that’s where I’ll announce the exact contest date.
And if you’re interested in having your own dog’s portrait painted, say, for Valentine’s Day, please take a stroll through my online gallery, aimeehoover.com and shoot me an email. I’d love to help you surprise someone you love…with a portrait of someone they love.
Thanks as always for reading.
-Aimée
Wow Aimee! I can’t believe you got these unwrapping photos up so quickly! Bud’s portrait was so securely wrapped that I think it took me longer to unwrap it than it did for the package to get from CA to PA! Just kidding, I’m really, really glad Bud was so well taken care of during his trip East. WE ARE ABSOLUTELY THRILLED WITH YOUR WORK : ) The portrait is even lovelier than the photo of the finished work. It’s fantastic!We still cannot believe that we were so fortunate as to win the October Twitter Portrait Giveaway contest. There was such a strong showing of great pics of gorgeous pups that I didn’t think (or dare to hope) that Bud’s pic would be chosen. And here we are a month later, with a fabulous portrait of our shelter pup on our wall! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! For sharing your talent so generously, for running the Twitter Portrait Giveaway contest, and for doing such an outstanding job at painting our Bud. The portrait is so realistic–I keep pinching myself to make sure I am not dreaming. Yes Dianne, that gorgeous portrait PAINTED BY A FAMOUS ARTIST IS of one of your dogs and you WON it. As an aside, let me share that the unwrapping was a totally positive training experience for Bud–lots and lots of his favorite cookies to keep his attention focused on the job at hand. (I must admit that he was not nearly as thrilled as we were with the contents of the box! He would have preferred the giant biscuit.) But he is glad his people are so happy…and that he received lots and lots of his favorite cookies for being such a good boy and pretending to care!
Once again Aimee, we extend a sincere thank you for your gift. The portrait is gorgeous beyond words and we couldn’t be happier. Mark and Dianne
Dianne – You are so very welcome and I couldn’t be more happy that you are happy with the portrait! And yes, I ship my work practically packed in armor. : )
i love how Bud’s new portrait looks in the house.. it just fits in. The golden background and the yellow walls make the painting stand out!
What an amazing additional to the house.
A very handsome and fitting portrait in deed!
Your work is just beautiful!
Oh I love the picture of Bud & Bud together. The portrait looks as if it could come to life any second.
Aimee you are a rock star. Gorgeous, gorgeous, as always!!
Loved specially Bud looking up at his portrait.. Great picture.. I think he’s saying, humn I know I look much younger… Lol
Wow, that last photo is just gorgeous!
My favorite is the last one of Bud looking up at his portrait… So Beautiful.
Another wonderful portrait!!!!
I LOVE how your blog tells the STORY of the pet portraits! The pictures add a fabulous dimension to that story, and makes me either smile widely or laugh out loud – like when I saw Bud looking at his portrait. You are a gifted artist – but more than that, you are an artist with a great and generous heart!
Aw, thanks Joanne! I have to say I love getting the photos of the “unveiling” too, then sharing them with you guys. When I finish a painting, I kind of ship it off into the ether. The pics make it more real for me. I think for my readers too. : )