A brilliant really special present.....

[CountessDracula]

If you are looking for something really special to give to your dh or a really different portrait of your kids/pets, I suggest you try This

If you look in the gallery section you will see the picture of my dog, Ruby, at the bottom, which I had done for dh's birthday. It really is unusual and close up looks quite abstract, yet from a distance it looks just like a photo (it's acrylic on canvas). Diane's kids pictures are really amazing, I'm going to get one done of dd soon.

Just thought it made a lovely pressie and as you all have kids...

[Fio2]

Thats lovely CD

I had some gorgeous watercolours done by an artist called "beverly Fry' who is in Much Wenlock, Shropshire. and they are gorgeous, so unusual I am still saviong to have some done of my ds now............ oh the guilt

[Fio2]

Ours was nicer (i will take some photos of them and e-mail them you CD if you like )

But here is her website Gallery

[Fio2]

oh balls the link isnt working and I cant be arsed to do it again!@

[Fio2]

errr when i said 'ours was nicer' I meant nicer than the portraits on her website not than of your dog CD!!! oh my god really must preview better and now it looks like I am talking to myself on here!

[Piffleoffagus]

www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/beverley-fry/index.html
try here instead?

[Piffleoffagus]

try here instead?

[CountessDracula]

Very nice Fio - personally I prefer Diane's as they are so different (you have to see them in the flesh really to "get it" IYKWIM) but they are so striking - everyone who has come to our house since we got it has immediately commented on how amazing it looks (with no prompting!)

[Piffleoffagus]

hmmm
I prefer a less rigid interpretation I think, although for animals I think CD's link was excellent, but I would never pay that for a homage to an animal, except maybe a champion race horseLOL
I have a friend who does pencil images from photos, they are kind, soft and superb!
I still think all in all I prefer arty photographs, I think esp with ref to my kids...
but I'm being picky,
Plus the cost...
got to be an ouch factor

[CountessDracula]

Ahem, my dog is infititely superior to any farty bitey old nag!

[Fio2]

I think all art you have to see 'in the flesh' to appreciate. We didnt pay as much for ours as we would have done for a photo with a cheesy photgrapher and like you say CD people DO comment because they are just lovely

Incidentally mine were a present for mothers day and dh has been hinting he wants some of the dogs!LOL

[Kayleigh]

LOL

[CountessDracula]

ps I don't think the prices are fixed, I didn't pay quite that much! Depends on the commission

[Kayleigh]

Piffleoffagus - am interested in your friend that does pets pictures (not in THAT way obviously!). I would love a good drawing of our very handsome cat to put in my home office. Would he be interested in a commission ? How much would he charge ( approx) ?

[CountessDracula]

Kayleigh a friend of mine is getting diane to do her cats soon!

[Fio2]

kayleigh if you choose a 'local' new artist you can usually get a good fair sized coimmission for about 60pound

[CountessDracula]

A local artist for local people....

[Kayleigh]

okay, how does one find a local artist (or am i being thick ???!!)

[CountessDracula]

Go to art/craft fairs
Look in yellow pages
Google

Thicko

[Fio2]

Ort an art shop, they usually know 'someone'

lol at a 'local person for loacl people'!

[Kayleigh]

Thank you kindly missus.

Love the Village Idiot.

[Chandra]

CD, Did she made a apinting for Home Front in the past, I have the idea I have seen something very simmilar in the program.
And as a trick of the trade I may tell you a secret, you can do something similar with Photoshop>filter>artistic>cutout.

[Chandra]

apinting? a painting!

[CountessDracula]

Ah yes Chandra, but not painted IYKWIM!

Kayleigh every village has one

[cellulitequeen]

CD, I think your dog picture is fabulous and you obviously adore your dog as much as I do mine. I am thinking of having one done of our dog as a Christmas gift for DH. It's refreshing to find something a bit different.

[CountessDracula]

oh cellulitequeen I'm so pleased, you are welcome to come and see mine in the flesh if you are in London!