Saturday, March 08, 2008

Grand Opening Promotional Sale!

In honor of tonight's
ART OPENING
and
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY,
I hereby announce the
GRAND OPENING
of my pet portraiture business,

Stray Dog Arts!


For the past 6 weeks I have spent every ounce of energy preparing for this leap into the wild and wonderful unknown, taking all the steps necessary to begin living an AUTHENTIC new life.

And now...it is time to LEAP!!!

I might not have done this if it were not for my blogging sisters.
I might not have done this if it were not for the Be Brave Project.
I might not have done this if it were not for this incredible network of inspiration and support that you, my blogging friends, provide.
I might not have done this if... well, there are probably a lot of reasons.

But the thing is...
I'M DOING IT!

Some how, some way, I came to this space within where I met my truest self. And since that day I have not been able to turn back.

In celebration and gratitude of the connections that have led me to this most incredible time in my life, I want to offer you (and the friends and family who hear about this offer through you)...

30% OFF
the regular price

of commissioned pet portraits

NOW until April 30th, 2008


If you
or someone you know is interested,
please contact me
here
{jessie at straydogarts dot com}

TO RECEIVE THE SPECIAL PRICE,
BE SURE TO MENTION THIS DISCOUNT
WHEN CONTACTING ME.


Since I am already booked with commissions until mid-April, the sooner you are able to contact me, the better--so that I can reserve your spot in line (yes, can you believe it? i have a line!). Once May hits I will begin advertising more vigorously and I may not be able to off this price again.

In the meantime, this is my gift to you, dear blogging friends. I also invite you to link to this post on your own blog in order to share this offer in proper blogging-fashion. ;) I cannot even tell you how much happiness this endeavor of painting these beautiful and beloved animals brings me. And so I want to share that love with you.

Thank you for propelling me to BE BRAVE.


Thank you for propelling me towards my truest self.

* * *
Artist's Statement:

I began my artistic career doing portraits of people, focusing primarily on those colorful individuals that I met in my travels abroad. What I found most fascinating was how each person, mostly strangers, emerged on the canvas as I painted them. During those long hours spent in the studio, the people I painted slowly came to life and grew to be my friends—each with a personality and unique story all their own.

It should not have surprised me that the same thing would happen in doing pet portraits. The thing I love most about painting is the way a relationship develops between my self and the interesting characters who reveal themselves through the end of my paintbrush. Each time, it is a wonderful surprise—and dogs are no exception. If anything, they exemplify what it is that I love most about painting. I cannot help it, a bond is formed. Whether it is my own dog or those that I’ve only met through the creative act of painting, I feel as though I come to know each of these beautiful beings on a very deep and genuine level—and I cannot fathom anything more satisfying that this.

One day I was outside shoveling snow when, seemingly out of no where, I asked myself an innocent question: “What makes me happiest?” The answer came easily: "Dogs and Art." At that very moment, I felt something shift inside of me and my life has not been the same since. From this question Stray Dog Arts was born.

There is a Zen story about an old monk who practiced for over forty years in a monastery and then became disgusted—I’m getting nowhere he thought—and decided to leave. As he walked down the path to the gate, with his few belongings on his back, he noticed that the walkway looked a bit messy. He went to get a rake to smooth it out. As he raked the dirt, one pebble flew out, hit some bamboo standing nearby, and made a sharp sound. The instant the monk heard that sound he became fully and completely enlightened.

I do not know what the old monk was thinking at that exact moment. Nor do I know the color for the sound of a single pebble. But I do know that I paint because it gives me the feeling that something real is happening.

I paint pet portraits because I have more love for animals than I know what to do. I paint because there is something beautiful to be captured in those transitory moments we share with the pets who have stolen our hearts for good. I paint to tell a story. I paint dogs (and cats and horses) because now I cannot stop.

For me, it is not just about getting a painting to look like a specific pet; it’s about capturing his or her personality. I believe that an animal’s spirit is conveyed through its eyes, a particular expression, and even the subtlest of gestures. My goal as an artist and animal lover is to create artwork that honors the beautiful and unique life-force within each of us. I find pet portraits particularly rewarding because, in short, they make me happy. I have wanted to work with animals ever since I was a little girl and am grateful beyond words that I am able to do this through my art.

I pour my heart and soul into every painting that I do and if there is one gift I would like to give the world, it would be happiness. Often, our pets are the ones who give us the greatest happiness of all. My paintings, well, they are but a heartfelt gesture in celebration of the unconditional love and infinite happiness that our four-legged friends have brought to us.


20 comments:

Deirdre said...

Jessie, I loved reading every word of this and looking at each painting. Congratulations. It all seems to be falling into place for you. Everything just right.

Anonymous said...

how delish that it's all falling into place. like deidre, i loved reading every word.

woohoo!!!

Melanie Margaret said...

I am sooo happy for you! My heart is bursting with excitement! I know your show and website will be all you want it to be. You deserve all the success you can dream up!
Love you my friend!!!
XO,
Melba

Laura B. said...

I'm so proud of you, Jessie! And happy :) You've worked hard and trusted deeply...

Laura B. said...

Hey -- Could you e-mail me an idea of approx. how much (normal price) an 18 X 16 (or whatever standard size is close to that---) painting is?
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

If everyone were to go after their dreams the way you have just lassoed yours, if everyone were to start giving the world their gifts the way you have just whole-heartedly started giving of yours... there would be no more problem of trying to heal the world. It would be healed.

Your paintings give me so much joy; it must be the joy you get from painting them being transferred straight into my heart.

Leah said...

so ecstatic, thrilled, overjoyed beyond words for you darling. your art is stunning as are you! love you darling! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Wow! I am super happy for you - to see your dream come to life.
:)
Your website is awesome! xo lot's of success, happiness, and love.

Anonymous said...

It is so great that you have come so far, so fast and I am so happy for you. These paintings are so wonderful, you will have a line a few thousand miles long and will have to quit that job soon :-).

Sharon said...

I am so happy for you! Your paintings and your words touch me so very deeply. I would love to have you do a painting of our 'little ones', two toy poodles. They are 14 and...may not be with us much longer...

Anonymous said...

Oh J, I am so proud of you and my heart bursts with joy for the passion you are embracing in your life these days. I can literally feel the happiness and exuberance seep through your words and as always, I am inspired by you! Congrats my beautiful and talented friend...I just might take advantage of this offer and place some orders soon.
I love you powerful woman!!
-taradawn
PS - Letter in the mail soon...I promise. Your last one touched me deeply:)

z-silverlight said...

Happy and fortunate the person who has found their bliss. Stick with it.

Anonymous said...

JESSIE!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it! I love you! Letter in the mail soon, I miss you!!!! Wish I could be there for the show!

It's seems we're both well on our way to finding (and Maintaining) that bliss which is us, our true essence. Oh, how I have missed connecting.

Be well, my dear sister on the road of life!

GreenishLady said...

This is wonderful! I've made a post linking here, and hope hundreds and hundreds of people come by to see those magnificent portraits. I am so excited to think you'll be soon starting on the portrait of Trixie! My heart is so full!

Becca said...

Jessie, I've been "lurking" on your blog for quite some time - we have many blog friends in common and so I've often stopped by here on my way to and from Mardou's or Deirdre's or Imelda's bolgs.

I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you have made this dream come true. You inspire me to continue working toward identifying and solidifying my own dreams - in effect, to BE BRAVE.

And I must say, your pet portraits are so full of life and spirit - you capture the essence of each dog in a miraculous way.

Congratulations, and I wish you much happiness and success! You may soon see an email from me regarding a portrait of my precious two fur babies :)

Jamie said...

Congratulations on your magnificent launch! You are brave. You are beautiful. You are talented and true. You are on your way, brave spirit. Soar!

caroline : my pocket said...

I love looking at each painting carefully and taking in the spirit of each, they've got a life of their own. And I agree with Jamie - soar! You are so on your way and that artist's statement feels so right. You're in the right place, beautiful you. I'm so happy to have got to know you, xoxo

Tammy Brierly said...

Congrats! You have found your passion. XXOO

Anonymous said...

oh this is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! the portraits you have posted are AMAZING-- my god woman, you have such a gift for something that is truly hard to do-- wow--

*running to get in line*

~bluepoppy

Amber said...

Oh honey, this makes me have a HUGE smile on my face and in my heart.

You are an inspiration! I love it!

:)