Where has the time gone?

Where has the time gone?? It has been a busy, crazy month! I finished 21 paintings in the month of July. I wish that number was larger but 21 is pretty good I think. I have been working on my second ever horse painting which has been a great challenge for me and is surely keeping me on my toes. This painting is an 11x14 and is challenging for me since I am not an equine expert for one and I also don't have very good clear pics since sweet Kilroy has passed on. But I am surely determined to make this a great painting. I will be going tomorrow to a horse farm to get up close and personal with some horses so I can come home and get Kilroy's texture right. So stay tuned for more on him!! 

Keeping up with demand has been a fun challenge. More orders are coming in than I can finish. But that's ok! It sure keeps me on my toes and keeps me more focused on the task at hand. I am having such a blast painting that it certainly does not feel like a job. Just wish there was more time in a day for me to paint!! I have, however, started having a bit of trouble with my tennis elbow and carpel tunnel coming back.. It's been a good 2 years since I have been bothered with that, but all these tiny paintings where I have to have the painting close to me to see it is aggravating it for sure! I have started wearing my brace to bed and when I am not painting in hopes that will help. I need to look into exercises I can do as well. Had to go back in to see my knee surgeon to see what else we can do for my right knee. It has been nothing but trouble and frankly it's getting rather old! I am going in on Aug. 12th for my 5th knee surgery (3rd on the right knee). Fingers crossed he finds out what is going on in there! Should be a quick recovery though. This time it is just a minor arthroscopic search and screw removal. Need to get it done now so I am ready for Disney World come December!! 

This month has been an eye opener for me. I have watched as two different artist spoil their business by looking only at the $$ aspect of things. Doing whatever it takes to make money as an artist and to get that they throw all morals and ethics out the window. I have always been one that believes in what goes around, comes around and certainly that is happening in both cases. All I can say is that if you believe in your business, run it the right way. Get business because it comes to you and because people respect what you do. Once you throw that away you have nothing left to stand on but a tainted name in the art world which is not a positive thing! So many artists out there, you will be passed by and a full recovery will very rarely be made. I have always strove to have quality products no matter what it is I am doing. I used to make gourmet dog treats, handmade collars and leashes.. Always using only the BEST supplies I can find. Certainly there is no difference with my art. I will spend countless hours creating a detailed special painting no matter how much I am making from it. Donated painting, paid painting. It is all the same to me. Each has someone's special companion that needs to have the same amount of love and detail put into the painting. My love for detail and having the pet come to life in my paintings will always be what drives my art. You can be certain that no matter what, I will put 100% of myself into EVERY painting and I will never let the $$ side of thing take over my morals or ethics. 

Cruising right along, I hope to get at least a small painting done almost every day this month (besides surgery day and probably the day or two after of course). I need to get peoples Christmas orders done and shipped before vacation so I am on a mission to paint until I drop :) Can't let people down!! Well I think that is enough from me for today. Time to get to painting! 

So much in the works

It seems that I am getting out there with my artwork. Orders have been coming in almost daily and I am currently filling spots in my books for 8+ months away. I had no idea when I started painting that I would be busy as an artist. I honestly thought orders would come in here and there and the rest of the time I would be painting wildlife and sample paintings. My fans have been so supportive of my artwork, its just amazing to me! Each painting seems to be taking longer and longer, but that's ok.  I have to make sure that my technique is getting stronger and cleaner. That my details become smaller and tighter. That makes my work so much more fun and rewarding when I can continue to improve the quality of my work. Hopefully I can decrease the amount of time but still make sure the detailing does not lack in the slightest.

I want to say a huge thank you to those of you that have been supporting me and my artwork whether it be to following me on Facebook, ordering a painting, sharing my work with friends. I would not be here with out all of the support from each and every one of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

Adding New Hand Painted Items!

Seems as though I never stop adding new items for my clients to chose from to have their beloved pets painted on. I like to think outside the box and create things that are unique, handmade and special to someone. I have recently started offering contests on my FACEBOOK page. The winner of the photo contest wins the new item I am introducing to have and painted. Some of my newest items have been hand painted Kindle covers, glass and shell necklace pendants, and leash holders. New things that are in the works are urns, hand painted real eggs, new ornaments and much much more. 

Orders seem to still be pouring in so I think an increas in my prices will be happening before long. Being new to the art world, I find it very difficult to price my paintings but am finding myself getting more and more detailed with each painting which in turn has increased the amount of time on each piece drastically. My hope is that people see the amount of love and attention to detail goes into each and EVERY painting I create. No matter how long they take me I make sure I bring the painting to life. Hopefully I will have the whole pricing dilemma all figured out soon.. Feel free to send comments or questions regarding this issue or any other questions or comments you may have :) Thanks so much!

Venturing outside of my box...

I know it has been a long time since my last blog post, so sorry about that.. Life has been busy and keeping me on my toes.  I just updated my most recent paintings in my galleries and prices on slates and rock page so be sure to check those out! I have been working almost non stop on orders with more orders coming in weekly. I have been on overdrive mode in painting, creating and thinking.. Coming up with new items to offer has been fun and exciting. I will be starting some new items and venturing outside my comfort zone. I am adding new painted items for clients to order and getting more adventurous with what I paint. I will be starting an interesting painting of a dog with a Japanese theme to the painting and a heart slate with some added pheasants and background. It will be a fun painting and should help me venture into a new area with my art. 

I have placed an order for a Kindle cover that I will be personalizing for my husband. If all works out as planned they will be another item offered to clients. I have also ordered a iPhone cover to try to personalize that as well. I will let you all know how that works out for me. I have found a couple of artisans that will be creating custom urn boxes for me to start offering to clients that need that special item memorial for their beloved pet(s). More items I will be offering are aprons, wood plaques, key or leash holders, vases, portraits on granite, new ornaments in metal, slate and wood, treat jars, purses and wallets, mailboxes, wind chimes and MUCH more! Have something you would like to see painted?? Just send me a message and we will see what we can do! 

Orders Orders and More Orders!!

Just updated many of the new pictures of the recent ornaments and paintings I have completed since last blogging. Sorry it has been so long but I have been painting like crazy! I am in the studio now and LOVE it when I am able to be there! I am not able to be there as much as I would like but any time there is fabulous. I have been booked for orders needing to be completed by Christmas time since the beginning of September! I still have 5 pages of orders to go :0) Which will take me till most likely at least March. But people are still ordering and don't mind waiting!! Its amazing to me :0) I am loving my 'job' and am enjoying each painting, learning new tips and tools along the way. I don't seem to be getting any faster at painting but I think I am able to get more and more detail in each one! Specially when they come with good photos to work from!! I will try to blog more often.. I am so busy on Facebook showing progress and staying in touch with clients there, that I forget to come and write on here! Thanks you all of you for your continued support and those of you jut checking my site out for the first time. Welcome!! Thanks for stopping in! I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy creating them!! 

OPENING MY OWN ART STUDIO

So I am taking the plunge!!  I have decided it is the time for me to open my own place to call my own and really focus on the task at hand.. PAINTING!!  I am so excited and will surely share pics as soon as I am in and painting and creating my special space!!  New name for my studio is Treasured Pets Art Studio.... Art by Cassie :0)  More info to come soon!!

Once again it has been a while since my last post.. So Sorry

I am so sorry it has been so long since my last posting! I have been SO busy that I get my work updated to my Facebook fan page but fail to get on here to put up updates..   Just posted TONS of new pictures of recent ornaments and portraits I have completed since I have been on last. There will be TONS more in the near future as well! If you would like to follow my Work In Progress please follow be on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/artbycass?ref=sgm. I post my paintings step by step for all my fans to follow! It is so fun watching your painting come to life!! Come say HI!!

So back to what I have been up to.. Well since opening my Facebook fan page my orders have sky rocketed!!  I am having to stop taking orders soon so that way I can make sure everyone gets their orders in time and in the best detail I can provide! I am currently at about 80 orders and that number grows daily!! These are orders for full portraits as well as rocks, slates and MANY ornaments!! I have a portrait going to a celebrity even!! More details on that later! 

I have found away to make my clear ornaments shimmer, sparkle and look completely AWESOME!!  So now my ornaments can be ordered in almost any color!! And boy are they stunning!! 

It seems as though I may be going full time artist way sooner than I had originally thought.. If orders keep rolling in like they have been I will get to fulfill my dream of being a full time artist! I truly love sharing my art and passion with so many people. I have heard so many touching stories recently of beautiful pets that have touched ones heart and left the earth far to early. It is such an honor to be able to create a memorial piece for them to have and cherish forever. I get so many praises from my clients after they have received the paintings. It sure seems to ease some of their pain. Makes doing this even more special!!

So I thank you all for all your wonderful orders! I can't wait to get to each one.. As one gets finished another one is just starting.. A whole new challenge.. A whole new special memory. Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart!!

Sorry it's been so long..

Many things have happen since I have last posted. I finished 2 portraits.. See the pug in my portrait gallery as well as the lab mix on my home page. I also finished a slate stone (see Rock gallery) , 2 new ornaments,  (a rabbit and a corgi) and a cat on a mini canvas (see more pet portrait gallery). I also just had knee surgery on May 21st.. I am healing from that but it will be a slow slow process.. Ugh.. I have many new paintings in the works.. So hopefully I will get pictures of them soon when I have them complete.. 

Banjo the Beagle on Tiny Canvas Completed!!

These tiny little canvases with easels have gotten to be quite popular already. I have one more in the works and receive many orders for more just yesterday. These tiny little creations are WONDERFUL to have on your desk at work.. In fact each person that has ordered one so far has stated that is where they are putting them :-) This one in particular was a gift for my clients boss.. I was told she LOVED it!! 

Wiley Portrait FINISHED!!

Wiley is all finished!!! This one was quite challenging with all the different colors to his coat but the tedious brush strokes and countless hours really paid off in the end. This was a very fun portrait to paint. I am now currently working on his brother, Dash, a pit/lab mix. Pictures shall be coming soon.