DogTipper interviewed JM, a talented artist who creates high-quality, unique paintings and drawings of pets through her websites, DrawingMom.com and www.BaileyBeGood.com. Working with acrylic paints and colored pencils, JM’s pet portraits capture the essence of people’s beloved furry companions, creating one-of-a-kind treasures.
Please describe your business and your blog:
My name is JM and my doggies, Bailey & Nala, have been kind enough to allow me to share some of my artwork on their blog. I draw pet portraits with colored pencils and acrylic paints.
Can you tell us about your background and how you came to write about and draw pets?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been involved in art. For a long while I painted on canvas using oils and acrylics, then I moved to pastels and chalk. For the past few years I’ve been using colored pencils — I love watching textures appear from the pencil lines. I have a BFA in an art-related field, but drawing animals is something I’ve always loved to do.
Can you tell us about your artwork?
My art has always been a hobby. I’ve never really wanted to go into a business involving art, because, as other artists may understand… I didn’t want to feel like I HAD to draw. One of my doggies, Bailey, has such beautiful bloggie friends. One day I came across a photo of one of her bloggie friends — it was just so beautiful that I had to draw him. When I decided to fill my portfolio with portraits of other dogs, cats, and other furries, I looked for more of Bailey’s bloggie friends, because they are all so beautiful. I really enjoy drawing, and spend a lot of time on each portrait making sure I capture the spirit of each one. I always start with the eyes, because that’s how I make a connection with each drawing. If the photo isn’t large and clear enough, I won’t be able to see enough detail to draw the details, so it’s very important to start out with a good photo.
What’s your typical workday like?
My workday consists of some website work (my own sites), and helping Bailey with her own website, BaileyBeGood.com. I usually work on my drawings late at night, after everyone’s gone to sleep. I love working so late at night because it’s quiet, and I don’t have to worry about being interrupted. Depending on how I’m feeling, I could very well work right through to morning! 🙂
Can you tell us about your own pets?
I have 2 doggies, Bailey & Nala. Nala, an American Eskimo mix, was rescued when she was just 2 months old — she’ll be 14 in November. We rescued Bailey, a Belgian Shepherd mix, when she was 3 months old — she’ll be 2 years old in June. Bailey started her bloggie in December, 2010, when she was 6 months old. We encouraged her, because she was (and still is) a crazy, little puppy, and we wanted to share her with the world.
What else would you like the readers of DogTipper.com to know about your work?
I try to make each drawing as realistic as possible. I prefer to draw furries that are looking directly out at me, so whoever is looking at the drawing, will feel a connection with it. If I ever draw your furry one and post a photo on www.BaileyBeGood.com, it is available for sale — just let me know that you’re interested. 🙂
What’s next for your business?
I am continuing to build my portfolio with portraits, and am accepting commissioned portrait orders of 5×7 and 8×10. I will also be offering my drawings to pet boutique clientele.
Contact information you would like to include (URL, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
You can view more photos and information here: www.drawingmom.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Pet portraits courtesy of the artist.
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