Turning DGD Into A Full Service Arts Brand
Thanks to popular demand, I’m officially offering hand-drawn pet portraits! Keep reading to find out why I’m expanding my business in this way and how to get yours.
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I can’t believe I’m finally saying these words after so long thinking about it…but I'm now officially offering custom hand-drawn pet portraits! This has been something folks have asked me for for many years, but my focus has always been so squarely on homemaking that I just didn't have the time. Now, though, as I head into my forties with a more settled attitude and with less interest in constantly redecorating for the sake of content (I'm ready to enjoy all of my hard home design work for once!), I want to shift some of my creative efforts to more traditional fine arts.
Ever since I can remember, portraiture has held a special kind of fascination for me. I think the very first time I took notice of it was when I was a little girl, and my Aunt Jeanne sat at the dining room table and sketched my face for fun. I can still picture that drawing today—even what I was wearing—and was astonished at how like me it looked. The fact that the artist was my very own sweet aunt whom I had known all my life made me realize that maybe I could do it, too.
To this day, I compulsively look through my childhood books trying to find that portrait (we stupidly tucked it into a book for safekeeping and then forgot which book it was in), but I think seeing that portrait come to life as a girl really had a lasting effect on me. When I had to choose a focus for my senior thesis in college, I chose hand-drawn portraiture, and finished the year with an exhibition full of oversized drawings of me and my friends and family.
“As I head into my forties with a more settled attitude and with less interest in constantly redecorating for the sake of content (I’m ready to enjoy all of my hard home design work for once!), I want to shift some of my creative efforts to more traditional fine arts.”
Nearly twenty years post-grad, I have a new drawing passion: animal portraiture. With time and the realization that I have no interest in having human kids of my own, I’ve instead set my sights on rescuing pets as an adult. John and I have adopted nine cats and dogs since getting married 14 years ago, and I hope that we’ll have the chance to rescue many, many more in our lifetimes. It’s the thing that gives us purpose and nothing brings me more satisfaction than caring for these innocent, otherwise helpless creatures. They are our entire world, and make us laugh and smile every single day. I’d be lost without them. Truly. I would be so much less myself.
I’ve drawn the occasional pet portrait for friends and family members over the years, but nothing very formal. Now, though, as I mentioned with my shifting career goals, I wanted to make this something that everyone can enjoy. In today’s newsletter, you’ll find examples of my work over the past few years, plus a sheet that explains more of the process for commissioning your own pet portrait. If you’d like to take a deeper dive into the details or to place an order for yourself, you can visit my Etsy shop here where you’ll find a new dedicated listing for these custom drawings.
I’m starting with just a small batch of 10 for this launch to sort of test the waters and understand how this new part of my brand functions within my existing routine and obligations as a working ceramicist. I’m really excited to finally be making this dream something more tangible and real, though. It felt very surreal to push that Etsy listing live, and to see the interest already coming in from customers who have found me through that platform.
As a “thank you” to you as my dedicated community, I wanted to offer an exclusive discount code. Use “DGDPET10” for 10% off your commission now through February 28 if it’s something that you think you’d like to add to your collection. Thanks, as always, for your support of my creative evolutions! I couldn’t do this without you.
Now, comment and tell me all about your own pet! I want to know their names, their favorite things, and how they came to be a part of your family.
Things worth mentioning this week…
New On The Blog: I just added two new faux floor plants to our collection, and had to spread the word about them. Click here for links, and get my honest review in terms of believability (plus what I customized on one of them to make it even more so).
What I’m Watching: I haven’t watched it yet, but I’m planning on bringing up the movie Rebecca on Netflix later tonight since I just finished the book yesterday. Have you seen it? I’m thinking of the most recent version that came out with Lily James. Fingers crossed it’s as good as the book, although I doubt it could ever be…The book got a solid five stars from me!
What I’m Reading: I just started Buckeye, by Patrick Ryan, yesterday and like it so far. I’m reading it on my iPad through the Libby app, which is something I do more and more often these days. I love being able to save money by borrowing books from the library this way, and the backlight on the iPad makes it easy for me to read after dark without a lamp on.
Favorite Recent Purchase: Honestly? I don’t have much to say here since I’m currently in “save, save, save!” mode. I think the past couple of months since dedicating to buying only the essentials has taught me to appreciate all of the wonderful things I already own. A business book I was reading the other day encouraged me to go out and buy myself a really nice pair of socks as an act of self-care, but instead I went and grabbed a pair from my drawer that I hadn’t thought to wear in a while. It was great to make something I already had feel brand new and like an indulgence.
Looking Forward To: Celebrating my mom for her birthday next week! I’m so lucky to have her in my life.
A few favorite (pet-themed!) posts from the Dream Green DIY archives:
Weekly editorial notes and requests…
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💻 For more of my life, home renovation, and DIY design business, follow along on Instagram, and check out my blog, Dream Green DIY.
🧡 And last but not least, I think you’re absolutely amazing! Don’t forget to treat yourself this week because you undoubtedly deserve it.
