Juggling, childrens portrait, dog portrait painting, woodblock print & marketing

Still on the easel is this painting of a little mutt (I love mutts!) on a retro orange vinyl ottoman.  My dilemma is needing a name for this piece, so I am asking my Facebook fans to help.  It's one of the little things I never thought about when I decided that, in addition to my pet and childrens portraits, I'd paint, draw and print pieces to sell at shows and at my Etsy Store.  Speaking of which, I am trying to keep my head down, so to speak.  I've never worked without deadlines before, never.  And then there's the marketing, updating the online sites, looking for shows and galleries that would be a fit.

It's a juggling act that all artists do.  I'm convinced the better you are as a juggler, the better chances for success you have.  Until of course, you're so successful, you can hire people to do it for you.

Back to the dog, I really enjoyed painting the retro, mid century modern ottoman.  I can always put a dog on a carpet or grass, but I really like dark backgrounds with just a hint of something in the back (can you see the curtains?) and well lit foreground.  I see some tweaking, so hopefully will have this guy off and dry and varnished at the same time I have a name!

I've been approached recently for shows and gallery shows.  It's hard to figure out what would work for me, so a lot of thinking and investigating to do.  The important thing for both of those, of course, is to be ready.  So I've been keeping my head down and working.

At the same time, you know I love commission work.  I love collaborating with my clients to create the portrait of their dreams.  It's such a thrill to be chosen and I will never take that for granted.  I'm glad people like my style and how I approach my work.  I'm in the middle of one of a darling little girl, I'll be showing you her in a day or so.

AND, I have a woodblock print of a pug I've been DYING to get to.  Wood is cut, drawing done, new set of my favorite knives bought (I like disposable ones), just need to do it! 

Do I sound like I'm complaining?  The only complaint is the number of hours in a day.  I want to do it all even more!  It's so important to make the most of each minute.  But that's true for all of us, isn't it? Whether you're an artist or not?

Hey, about that name...suggestions welcome, here or HERE.  My Portraits site is http://robinzebley.com/.  Thanks for visiting my blog, I really do appreciate your visit, and I LOVE comments! Robin

Brittany Spaniels Pet Portrait - the dog whisperers?

I have been really busy with pet portrait commissions, but haven't kept up with posting them.  Here's one of my favorites recently, two older brittany spaniels who often seem to converse!  Very sweet dogs, very sweet client, who found me via twitter!  It's 16 x 20, prismacolor colored pencils on Mi Tientes pastel paper. 

Of course, I have to apologise again for my crummy photography skills!

In other news, my FB Fan Page is growing by leaps and bounds.  I really hope to make that a fun spot, with giveaways and penny auctions, etc.  I just don't think art has to be dead serious, you know? 

Boston Terriers Pet Portraits - win them!!

Yes!  Win this colored pencil piece, called "A Day in the Park"!  Friends, I am really honored, I've been selected as a "Featured Artist" in the really cool site "The Philly Dog"!  I was approached a while back and submitted this portrait piece of two Boston Terriers and it's being raffled off!  And you wouldn't believe how complimentary the feature is, I'm blushing!!!  All details at The Philly Dog, but one of the ways to win is to comment here on my blog! Then, go to The Philly Dog and comment and get another chance to win it.  This contest closes on December 9, so hurry!

This piece is 8" x 10" and is matted.  I did it in colored pencil, and the inspiration was actually the park bench.  I just loved this old park bench, so common in Philadelphia.  It's a work of art in it's own right, the product of craftsmen in times long gone.

But of course, the icing on the cake are the two adorable Bostons! 

I love contests and raffles, I think it's important to have some fun with my art, too, which is a nice break from the marketing I need to do to survive as an artist.  This BT piece isn't the only one of mine that can be won online!  I have a contest going on my Facebook Fan Page, http://facebook.com/ArtistRobinZebley , but that one is a secret!  It's an animal, cute as can be, and you're automatically entered if you're one of the first 50 to become a fan of my page!  And we only need 4 more.  So join the fun, both here, on my FB page, and at The Philly Dog!