Pet Portraits are Really Hip at Hip Chick That Is!

Chester looks a lot like a Disney dog. You know what I mean. Those dogs with an irresistible ruff of coarse hair, a twinkle in their eyes, and a propensity for mischief. And, that's just what Chester's owner, Carrie Clayden, captured in his portrait.

Chester picks up the "tail" from here, "My mom's been painting pet portraits for two years, but I was the first." Chester is Carrie's 5-year-old German Shepard/Poodle mix.

Chester continued, "She likes to work from pictures as most of us pets are pretty wiggly. We can't sit still, because, really, life is too exciting to stay still for anything other than a treat or to read some other dog's pee-mail.  Once she even painted a lizard, so I guess my mom will paint just about anything."

"Let's face it. We're the best. Who doesn't love animals?  Once folks saw my portrait, they wanted their own. My mom loves painting too and making people (and their critters) happy. She uses watercolors and acrylics because most of her work in done on canvas with acrylics."

"Usually it takes her a few hours to do a portrait, sometimes faster, sometimes slower. It depends on the pet, the picture, and whether we are busy taking walks, playing ball, or going on car trips. And, my mom has a new business in Benicia so I'm there a lot with her."

Carrie joined in the interview, "I have just celebrated one year in business January 15, 2011 at Hip Chick Designs in Benicia." And, "No, I don’t always know or meet the pets I paint.  I have a customer whose pets are her children and I did 5 portraits for her, and she lives in Seattle. I can get a picture emailed to me and then I can mail a finished portrait, which is nice for anyone who lives out of town.   I feel as though I know the pet after I finish painting them though.  A pet’s personality always shows itself. Usually I do realistic portraits with the emphasis on capturing personality." For those wanting to try pet portraits, Carrie's advise is, "Just try, it would be fun to see how it comes out.  Nothing is more special than a handmade present and if you have a picture and you want it painted get some watercolors and get painting.  It helps to sketch it first, so you can see if you have got the proportions correct.  This is the most important part of the overall look, if the animals eyes are too far apart or the nose is too long, etc, it throws the whole look out of whack.  That’s why acrylics are so nice, they are so forgiving, you can paint over your mistakes and no one will ever know!"

Carrie's prices start at $100 for an 8x10 portrait, and bigger sizes are slightly more. (Go to the link and look under "Art".) Also, if it is an emailed picture, she can do them in 2 weeks or so.  

Thanks Carrie and Chester!

Stay tuned for more of Mr. Ming's Weekly Wanderings (channeled through his intrepid sidekick).