Well, here we go again! It was, I guess inevitable with the way things were going, but I always wonder what our pets think of it all. They must be so used to having us around, taking them for fresh air walkies and feeding them tit bits where they wouldn't normally have them.
It has been no surprise to see so many 'new puppy' posts on social media as people spend more time at home, and those with bitches of breeding age feed an ever growing market for their pups. Looking into the future I really hope that those purchasing a new pup have done their research, bought from a reputable breeder, and have enough money put aside for vets bills and insurance. I know only too well how an emergency vet bill can catch you out and I am still catching up with my repayments from when my dog sneaked some chocolate out of my daughters school bag in October!!
On a positive note it is so fabulous to have so many join the dog owners club! No-one can overestimate how much joy a four legged friend brings into your life and for those that really can't get out - not even to go to the shops - they can be a life saver!
My Mum is a dog groomer and also a KC Registered dog breeder (though she has no breeding bitches at the moment) and has taught me so much about responsible pet owning. We have always had pets - at one time 6 dogs that needed walking before school - 5 lurchers and a Jack Russell! I have many hilarious and humiliating tales about that that I will save for another time! 
The one thing she always taught me is that animals communicate through their behaviour - it is the only way they know since they don't speak 'human', and so it is up to us to learn their language, listen to them and try to ensure that through good training we can get along and live happily together. Without training they revert to getting the attention they need through the type of behaviour that they know gets us to respond...whether that's doing their business on the kitchen floor, chewing your favourite shoes or barking incessantly at nothing in particular. 
It always amuses me when I speak to clients about their pets and they describe their types of behaviour to me. It is clear that their pets are well loved and well known and as much a part of their family as the humans. It is this version of our pets that I try to capture on canvas, as I try to delve into the spirit of that animal. It isn't always easy and it always depends on how much each owner is able to give me in the way of visuals and testimony. Whatever tools I have to work with, it always comes down to getting a likeness and use of colour and brushwork to really capture what that animal means to their humans. I have enjoyed my busiest Christmas yet with commissions and share them for you to see here...my 20x20cm portraits were by far the most popular! Easy to commission, easy to find a space for in the home and affordable to gift!
I hope you enjoy your pets through this lockdown and if you ever want to consider a portrait, please do get in touch. I am always happy to talk about your four legged friends and how much they mean to you!

Best wishes to you and your pets for 2021!

Alison
​x
​

Richard had left his Christmas shopping until the last minute again!
It had been a stressful time over lockdown with both he and his wife working from home! 
But at least they had the family dog to enable them to escape for some fresh air! It also gave them a much needed respite from all the bad news that was on repeat on TV. He didn’t know what they would have done without him!
With Christmas approaching though he was starting to feel overwhelmed. His wife normally had it all wrapped up but they had decided to forgo presents this year. He knew that he wanted to get something though as she had been a rock over the last few months and he really wanted to show his appreciation.
He never knew what to buy for her and for the last 3 years he had got her a voucher for a local spa. With lockdown though, the spa had sadly closed so how could he cheer her up and give her something to look forward to next year?
Scrolling through facebook he noticed a painting by a local animal artist…..mmm….His dog would make a perfect painting! They loved it so much his wife had even set up it’s own facebook page and insta account!
This particular artist had won awards and had a lot of testimonials on her website from previous clients! 
Apparently she not only managed to capture the joy and spirit of the animals that she painted but she had Gift Vouchers that he could send. This meant that the painting was not only paid for, but his wife could get exactly what she wanted, when she was ready! He knew from years of experience that she loved the house just right, so at least this meant that he didn’t have to surprise her with a fait accompli!
The voucher would be sent with a personal message in a card so that all he had to do was sit back and take the praise. 
Perfect!
He went to the website, www.pawsomepaintings.co.uk and looked through the online portfolio – she even had videos of pets she had painted previously!
After watching a few on her Youtube channel he decided that her style of painting would suit the lounge very well!
He purchased a voucher for a 20x20cm acrylic portrait for an offer price of £70 (it even included Postage and Packing!) 
A great price for a great likeness! 
Having received a receipt and email from the artist herself, he poured himself a drink and patted himself on the back for a job well done! 
“Not only that!” he thought, “but I have been an Eco Warrior as I haven’t resorted to unwanted tat like I did last year…and the year before…and the year before….”
 
Be smug like Richard and get Christmas in the bag with something that is truly personal and can be treasured forever!


His wife in the meantime had bought a  voucher for her precious pooch for a trip to the doggy spa!