This is not quite finished. There are subtle changes to the background I made since taking the picture. And I did'nt like the hard edge of the cat's back. Of course all this came to light-as it always does- after varnishing. Give the new improved version a few hours drying time. I'll shoot another picture and post it shortly. Stay tuned. 
Cincinnati Enquirer, Hometown section, June 15, 2013, pg. 57!
Its pretty incredible to find an article about oneself in the newspaper. What a charge and an honor! I'm hoping the exposure will send new clients my way via Row House Gallery!
http://local.cincinnati.com/share/story/205971
Very Excited about seeing this on the cover of The Journal for the American Veterinary Medical Association, June 15th Issue!
"Ears," copyright 2010, Margi Hopkins. Colored Pencil on rag mat board.
Read MoreWho Rescued Whom Purchased by LSU Veterinary Medical Library!
Who Rescued Whom?
Read MoreWho Rescued Whom available in Giclee prints.
The overwhelmingly positive reaction to this painting astonishes me. Who Rescued Whom has been hanging in the library of LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine since the end of March, where it was exhibited in their annual International Exhibition on Animals in Art and won Judge's Award. One person actually cried when she entered the library and saw it for the first time. She said it reminded her of her dad who had just passed. I knew the composition had potential, the day I came upon Willie and Tucker basking together in the afternoon sun of their first few hours together. Their expressions spoke volumes to me. What I didn't expect was that in capturing this moment, I was able to share it in a deep emotional way with complete strangers.
Upon the request of family members I had a professional photographer make giclee prints. The original is awaiting its new home. If you took the time to read this blog and are interested in a print, comment back and I will give you pricing and dimensions. Thanks for reading!
Perhaps...
What makes a good portrait? Is it all about what I want? Or, is it all about what the client wants? In this case the client is my very particular designer daughter, who as a rule, differs in taste. Difficult to stay on track when you are trying to please both. It's best to stay as objective as possible, while at the same time holding on to the little piece of your heart that fell in love with the comp in the first place. As I've said before many times, commissioned portrait art is not for the weak. Now add that to working for a family member!
Don't blow it!
With one painting awarded Best of Show, Judges Award and People's Favorite; the same painting reproduced into giclee with four prints already sold; another painting used on the cable show BAR RESCUE; an artist demo on landscapes published in Ann Kullberg's Colored Pencil Magazine, and yet another painting to grace the cover of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, one could say that things are going well for Pepper Portraits LLC. Yet, I've been doing this long enough to realize that a cluster of good fortune usually comes after months of drought and grueling work. Maintaining momentum is the trick.
Blue Crab is finished!
Blue Crab, colored pencil
Read MoreBlue Crab
Dimensions: 29x19"; Medium: Colored Pencil on Mat Board. This is my daughter, on the bay side of Perdido Key, Pensacola Florida. The references were taken last Christmas. Unusual to use a winter beach scene, don't you think? With so much blue, I came close to cropping out most of the water, but decided to stick with the original. I like the negative space. It adds to the story.
Getting started is difficult.
I spent weeks procrastinating over what to do next. Getting started is so hard. It's the commitment. Will all those hours pan out? This portrait is for me.