25 hrs

I'm getting really close to being done this drawing. All I have left to do is a bit of shading on the ground and touch up a few things. I guess my estimate of 30 hrs was pretty close!

Article in my local paper

The Daily Gleaner, Fredericton's local newspaper, printed an article on me today. Here is the article:
http://www.pagesportraits.com/dailygleaner.html

21.75 hrs

News

Well the summer is coming to an end and although I'm sad to see the warm weather go, it will be nice to have a little more free time (that will be filled quickly I'm sure). I've got two portraits on the go right now. I plan on getting the one of the three dogs finished pretty soon, then I've got a pastel portrait to do. I will only be taking on a few more commissions for Christmas so you might want to put your order in soon. I also offer gift certificates for anyone who doesn't get their order in in time.

I have some exciting news...last week, a reporter from my local newspaper, The Daily Gleaner, contacted me and asked to do an article on me. She interviewed me last week and a photographer came to my house. The article will be in the Balance section in tomorrow's paper. I'm quite excited about this...and a little nervous. This article will be great for exposure and I'm quite flattered that she asked me to do this. The article will be a profile of me, apparently discussing different aspects of my life. I will of course be purchasing several newspapers tomorrow when the article comes out! I will also post a link to the article on my website and blog.

In other news, I will be at the Pet Expo in Fredericton on Sept. 28, 29, 30, displaying my work and advertising my business. I have a lot of preparation to do this month because I plan on selling greeting cards and prints, as well as promoting the commission side of my work. Apparently the Pet Expo brings in a large crowd (over 3000 last year), so hopefully I will get some new commissions from that. It will be a long, busy weekend, but I've got some helpers and I expect it will be an enjoyable experience.

And lastly, I've entered a couple of my drawings into an art competition at the Fredericton Exhibition being held this coming week. I've entered "Britainy and Briggs" and "Noah" . These portraits belong to friends of mine and they were kind enough to lend them to me for the competition. I should know how I do in the competition in the next few days. Fingers crossed!

Well that is it for my news for now. I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer.

18 hrs

This is 18 hrs worth of drawing on the Bernese Mountain dog and Leonbergers.

Facebook

Hey everyone, just a quick note...if you use Facebook, I invite you to join my group. It has the same title as my blog: Page's Portraits - Pet Portraits by Heather Page. Feel free to pass it along to your friends!

Oil Painting Lessons

I am quite excited to say that I'm going to be taking an oil painting class this fall. I have never used oil paints before and have limited experience with acrylics, so I am really looking forward to learning a lot. I have always wanted to try oils, but have to admit I've been a bit afraid to try on my own without proper training. I've used acrylics in high school (many years ago!) and the odd time after that, but I've never really been taught to paint properly. I've always been quite partial to pencils, but maybe if I really enjoy working with oils, I'll eventually offer it as an option for pet portraits!

Jessie, Bart and Cooper update

Here is another update from the portrait I'm currently working on.

Price Increase in September

I want to inform everyone that I will be raising my prices as of September 15, 2007. If you order a portrait before Sept. 15, you can take advantage of the current prices.

George is done

It's been a little while since I've updated and I've managed to get a bit accomplished. George's portrait is now complete.

I had originally planned on finishing the portrait of Bart, Jessie and Cooper first, but George's portrait was so much more portable and I was able to take it to work with me. Besides, pencil is much faster to draw with than coloured pencil and I estimate B,J &C's portrait to take me close to 30 hrs. Here is what I have done so far:

I plan on working hard to get this one done soon.

On another note, I will have a booth at the Obedience Field Trials tomorrow and Sunday at the Fredericton Exhibition Centre. If you live in the Fredericton area, please stop by and say hi.