Moved to a New Blog

Hello!  

Thank you for visiting my blog!

I have a new website and blog.  Check it out...

Site: http://www.amydecaussin.com

Click here to see my new blog!

More New Greeting Card Designs

Designs designs!  Greeting Card designs!  I am creating new designs and I haven't had a chance to update my website yet, so here are all the new ones since my last post.

Upon many requests, here are more sympathy cards...

 

 Here is another "Thinking of you" Card...

Check out wholesale information here. Email funamals@gmail.com to make an order.

New Greeting Card Designs!

I had a fabulous time at H.H. Backer Associates Total Pet Expo in Chicago a few weeks ago.  Since then, I have been working on new greeting card designs.  (Progress has been greatly reduced due to some medical issues, thank you for your patience!)  These are just a few new designs, including sympathy, get well and thinking of you.  All of the designs seen below printed on recycled paper in the USA and available for wholesale with a minimum purchase order of 50 mix and match cards.  Click here for more details, pricing and an order form.  I am currently working on more as well.

All greeting cards are printed on FSC certified paper that is made in the USA and printed in Grand Rapids, Michigan using eco-friendly processes.  Each card comes with a blue envelope to match  and a UPC barcode on the back for easy inventory tracking.  Click here to visit the main website and download a price list and order form.  Or email Amy at funamals@gmail.com.

Illustration and the Total Pet Expo

Hey ya'll-- it's been a busy summer!

Well I am gearing up for Backer's Total Pet Expo this fall in Chicago, IL while also continuing to work on my illustration portfolio.  The result?  Illustrations designed to promote my work in the pet business!  This has been a lot of fun.

At the show...
I am launching my new line of printed "pet themed" wholesale products.  This includes prints, greeting cards and a 2014 calendar :) Click Here to check them out at my site.

On illustration...
I have been working towards my goal of getting published in the world of illustration.  My particular focus has been children's books.  I am part of the Society of Children's Books Writers & Illustrators.

Looking forward to a busy and eventful fall season!

"Fur Crazy" Our Newest Affiliate!

Take a scenic drive through the enchanting, wooded roads to Spring Lake, Michigan along West Michigan's coastline and pop into the adorable Fur Crazy Pet Salon.  This quaint pet destination is owned by Deb Casemier, an outgoing business woman with a lovely personality that keeps her shop warm and inviting.

Fur Crazy Pet Salon is the newest member of our Affiliate Program.  Deb can help you order a Custom Pet Portrait by Funamals right in her shop.  She has a printed portfolio to help guide you in your quest to find the perfect piece of unique artwork for you or someone special.  Order your portrait through Deb and she will take care of all of the details for you.  You can pick up your painting from Fur Crazy as soon as it arrives.

I am so pleased to have Deb and her  cute grooming salon be a part of this new business venture.  She is passionate for animals, art and supporting small business.  We have a lot in common!

Pancakes!

I decided that I really wanted to explore painting food.  Since I have also been exploring cooking it, this  project went hand in hand.  The challenge is that we recently moved to a very small town and I am in the studio by myself a lot, so making lots of food to paint was not ideal.  My resolution?  I am making "mini" versions of food!  I LOVE anything in miniature and I love close up photography.  There are a lot of things I really love in this project.  Here I made mini (eggless) yogurt blackberry pancakes.  They are plated on a teacup saucer :)  They were fun to eat too!

Mr. Valentine

Expanding into illustration

I always say that I specialize in animal portraiture...and I do, but I am currently working on expanding my abilities.  I am concentrating on illustration now.  I hope it will lead to new and exciting adventures and projects.  I attended the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference last summer and got 1st runner up in the contest for best portfolio...(click here to read more).  Since then I have been working to scratch the surface in this new field of study.

Click Here to view a few past illustrations for children's books.

Kiwi Fruit Pizza

I made this delicious "Kiwi Fruit Pizza" a few weeks ago.  It was basically fruit  pizza, but all I had in the house for fruit was kiwis.  I am trying to expand my portfolio, so I thought it would be something fun to paint!

How to Order a Custom Pet Portrait

Check out this Video to learn how to order your custom pet portrait online through etsy.   

**PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE IN POLICY since this video was created. PLEASE AVOID photos taken with cell phones INCLUDING SMART PHONES**

This is the Blog post for all Questions Related to Custom Pet Portraits.  Finally...some clarity!

Frequently Asked Questions...

How long does it take until I get my pet portrait?
7-10 business days to complete before the portrait is shipped.  If you need it quicker than that just message me and let me know.  I take holiday orders through much of December.  If you have any concerns about receiving your order in time for holiday gifting, just contact me. 

How do I send my photo?
In my etsy shop you can click on the "Contact" button and a conversation box will pop up.  You can attach your digital photo file there.  Alternatively, you can email your photo to funamals@gmail.com.  Make sure that you leave the name that correlates with the etsy account in the text.  Digital files are preferred, but you can also send your photo via "snail mail" and it will be shipped back to you with your pet portrait.  (Note that this method takes longer for the finished product).
 
How do I pick a good photo?
A nice quality photo with good lighting is best.  I prefer "head shots" of pets so I can get the details in their face and capture their personality.  If a pet's photo has red-eye I take it out when I paint it.
 

Can I use a picture from my cell phone?
Please no cell phone photos of any kind.  They will not have a high enough quality for me to work with.  The better the photo the better the painting.  300 dpi is great!  (dots per inch) The higher the resolution the better.

I have more than one pet.  Do they need to be in the same photo in order to be in the painting together?
No.  It is better to have a nice, quality photo of each pet.  I can compose them together in the painting.  It helps if they are taken in the same kind of light.

Can you ignore all the stuff in the background of my photo?
Yes!  I usually do unless a client has a special request to keep something in the photo.

Here are some examples of good photos vs. bad photos....

 

 

if this guide didn't answer your questions you can contact me at funamals@gmail.com.

Another Monday behind the Paint Brush...

Monday, Monday!  Here's a sneak preview of a portrait for a client :)

Heads Up!

Hey ya'll!  Our wedding is fast approaching so I wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of the studio AFTER Sept. 3rd.  If you want to order from my etsy shop after that it will not be processed until September 24th.

Thank you so much for your support and understanding.  Cam and I are soOooo excited! :D

(Photo ©Amy Carroll Photography 2012+)

New Work :)

 

I am getting ready to head down to Saugatuck, Michigan tomorrow for the Village Square Arts Fair.  I have been working on some new ways to present my work and I am really enjoying this new way to do it.  They are original watercolors that are gallery wrapped.  They look clean and they are ready to hang immediately after purchase.

 

My fiance Cam DeCaussin will also be showing his work at the show tomorrow.  It will be the first time we will be showing our work side by side :)

Fun Poster Design :)

This is a poster I designed for the Harmony Brewing Company's "Black Squirrel University." :)

The Tacocat Challenge

illustration by Amy Hofacker

illustration by Roberta Rivera

illustration by Ryan Hipp

I posted this idea to anyone on Facebook who was interested in pursuing the "Tacocat" challenge and drawing their own version of Tacocat--which Ryan Hipp pointed out, is spelled the same forwards and back.  I think this project was definitely worth the fun :)  The photo that inspired all of this is the one below...

The Rabbit + the Acorn: A Short Story

The rabbit couldn’t handle it.  One shiny acorn gleaming in the sunlight on the ground.  Thelma adored them.  "She would, too," thought Jane.  Thelma never really did the same things as other rabbits.  Jane sat there and sniffed.  Why Thelma had collected an acorn was beyond her.  There were some lovely flowers only feet from where they were sitting and any rabbit would have gone straight to those for a bite to eat.  Not Thelma.   Beyond eating them, it was like she just sat there admired the shiny exterior of the acorn.  Jane was disgusted.  She had seen enough for one day.  She hopped toward the pine trees.  There was no sense in trying to understand Thelma’s logic.  If she wanted to chomp on acorns while the others found fresh greens to eat, then that was her prerogative.  Jane made a note in her mind to find a reason not to have a meal with Thelma again.  Something would come up.  She would think of a good excuse when the time came.  There was always a good reason when you needed one anyway.

Lunch at Home with a Hippo

Click the image to view larger