Jo Frances Arts

“Social Media is like having your dream job but never getting a promotion”

I said this to my husband the other day, who looked at me blankly while I was posting my 1000000th post. Hes not on social media, not even Facebook, I actually find this so liberating and I’m slightly envious. Not having any social pressures, FOMO, having that dreading feeling of wondering who’s liked my posts. The constant comparisonitus and judgements. His reply was “well just come off it then”, I looked at him with such distaste. Come off social media, “but it’s my business, how am I supposed to promote myself and my business if I don’t have Social Media?” I heard myself say, in actual fact what I really meant was “it’s my life, it’s how I connect with the outside world”, sad but honest especially as I work from home alllll the time!

He then asked me how did I run my business before, how did I promote myself? When I first started PAWtesbery Pets, I have 0 customers but also 0 commitments (no kids, no house, no husband). I started to think about how I went about getting customers pre social media explosion. So I sat and reflected trying to remember how I did it back in 2005, and then I remembered I put a small ad in a local Church Magazine and a local Directory Magazine. From that I then got a call from a lady with a Rescue Greyhound called Silus, my first every customer. I was so excited, and he lived in the most ideal location – the woods were literally a walk from his home, he was also the dream dog. I then put ads in local Vets. But the biggest form of advertising was word of mouth, Silus’s owner told all her neighbours about me, and I was the second dog walker in the area, so the pickings were rich and cute and fluffy!!

Facebook was formed around a year before I set up (2004) PAWtesbery Pets so it wasn’t as big as it is now, and Instagram wasn’t even thought of until 5 years later. I didn’t rely on social media to promote my business and I then started to think “what if Social Media wasn’t a thing now what would I do?”

Then it hit me, there is actually a lot I could do, a blog like this one, blogs were huge back in the early 2000s maybe even earlier, fates and fairs which I did a few of and loved the interaction and atmosphere, leaflet drops, like I said before advertising in local church and local community directory magazines, which were so valuable for me when I set up the dog walking and then later on the Small Pet boarding company. Posters/leaflets in shops that relate to my work, word of mouth, offering an incentive, and business cards.

The majority of these things above cost some amount of investment, and when you don’t earn enough from your fledgling business how do you invest in your future business?

When I opened my shop in 2010 my moto was “you have to spend money to make money” and although I believe this to be true now. I’m often left sitting looking at my bank account asking, “how can I do this when I don’t have any money to spend in the first place?” Also, isn’t it a bit risky to invest in my business when people aren’t buying luxury items? Especially today with the economy crisis??? The circling of conversations I have in my head are actually far worse than this, but I have spared you!

Maybe the question I should be asking myself is how do I get people to buy my work? How do I engage with my audience when there is a screen separating us? When I owned my shop, people would pop in just for a chat, even a cup of tea and I loved this, I loved that even if they didn’t even have pets they felt the comfort and warmth that myself and my shop offered people.

How do I translate this into my online shop? How do I replicate that warmth welcoming feeling? From these back-and-forth internal conversations, I have been having with myself it all comes down to investment – within myself I need to believe in myself and believe that people will buy my offerings.

And that is where I am today, sitting here writing this blog hiding behind a screen still, but pouring my heart out to whoever is reading this. In the hope that maybe you might feel a connection, and this gives you the comfort that no matter how hard things get, you need to keep going because you have so much to offer to the world and yourself.

A better day…

Today, today I feel better. Just writing those words takes courage, I’ve sat here for the long time trying to figure out what it is I actually want to write. What words can I put on the screen that will benefit anyone reading this? And then I thought to myself what about if this blog post benefits me? I’ve recently got into journaling, just getting it all written down and out of your head is like a release, but if this does help you in anyway then that is a huge win for me.

So why today do I feel better? I have finally admitted to myself that I have been struggling with everything. I’ve had this inner voice telling me that I need to ask for help, but then another voice tells me “What do you need help for? You don’t work, you don’t deserve help. There’s plenty of parents out there who juggle working, running a home, kids, partners or who are doing it on completely on their own. You don’t work you stay home all day and have a husband who does everything” That’s been my inner conversation for years now. Our inner voices can often provide us with some really good ideas and thoughts. But most of mine seem to be a negative Critic. Before I had children at home that needed looking after, I was always on the go, I ran my own business. I was a dog walking 7 hours a day and often 7 dogs at a time, this sound so relaxing and being in nature definitely has huge benefits. But it was also very physical, alongside this dog walking I also provided small pet boarding service. I was always driving around, walking in all weathers, dealing with dogs running off, fighting and behaviour issues, cleaning and working with customers up until 11pm and weekends. So now that I’m a full-time mum what’s my “excuse” for not being able to handle what should be a simple everyday task especially as the kids are at school full time now. the guilt that I feel on a daily basis is consuming, the fact I’m not bringing in a lot of money and my husband supports us 100% is just overwhelming. I’ve often been seen looking through ads for jobs that I could do during the school hours. But then I sit and reflect, I’m 40, I’ve always wanted to work with animals or art. I’ve put everyone else before me for so long that now I need to do what I want to do, what I’ve been born to do. Like a life purpose and I know I’m made for more.

This is just a short blog about how I now work on my mindset every day, so I don’t become consumed and procrastinate. Being an artist is hard, being an artist that is also a mum and wife is double hard. I have learnt the except that even if the outside world sees me in a different way, or if my mind is tricking me into thinking that everyone around me thinks I’m lazy and don’t do anything. I am slowly learning that every time I have these thoughts, I change these into positive thoughts. And I will be honest it’s very hard, especially when I’m in a flight or fight mindset. But it does really work. I have been also having CBT through the NHS so it’s totally free and it’s been great sitting down taking an hour out of my day to talk to someone about how i am feeling. Through this therapy I have started to use different mechanisms to help with my anxiety, Journaling, Meditation, Painting, going for a walk, taking time for myself even if it’s just 20 mins to wash my face, getting an early night (my youngest is not a great sleeper so going to bed early really helps). I will be honest I still procrastinate and float about wondering where to start my day, so I have to try really hard to plan and not spend all day watching Netflix. Also trying to not feel guilty all the time, which is very hard, it’s a work in progress.

But I’m proud of myself for being honest, opening myself up and asking for help. And this is a reminder to anyone reading this to be brave and do what brings you joy each day no matter how small.

How Much does Art Cost??

Ok, so I know what you’re thinking, the UK is on the brink of a financial disaster, so why am I writing a blog post about the price of art? When the people in the UK are struggling to pay for their bills and food, why am I writing a blog about buying art? Surely buying art should be the last thing you should be thinking about. And I get that, I really do, as an artist and trying to carve out a business especially now when we could be hitting a recession is probably the most stupid move I could make. And don’t get me wrong, I have had numerous internal conversations where I’ve told myself that I need to give up and get a “proper job” . I even looked at cleaning jobs, admin jobs and various office jobs. At one point I thought maybe I will go back to dog walking. It was the one and only “job” that I thoroughly loved and enjoyed. But then I have to look at myself and often have the conversation about why I’m doing what I’m doing. Why am I sitting down at my dining room table creating art, writing this blog, writing emails and social media posts, why am I working so hard to sell my art especially now when the UK and world are struggling?

I’ve asked myself this so many times and I’ve told myself that no one is going to buy my work when they can’t afford food. But then I realized that people need something to escape their world and bring them joy, and just as I was about to give up, I sold some art. The biggest order I’ve had so far. A lady contacted me via facebook and asked to buy my whole collection of The Happy Dog Collection. I then had a bit of an epiphany and it was a very selfish one. Why can’t I continue to create art and make money for my family? Why do I need to give up my career and love because the government has said we are hitting hardship.

Surely this is the time when small businesses need to swim to the surface of the giant ocean and show the world what we have to offer because we deserve this, even more so than now. Everyones heard the tag “Shop Small” “keep local” but how many of us can truly wholeheartedly say we shop small for everything? We can’t, it’s kind of impossible. I often order from Amazon because I’ve forgotten to buy XYZ a present. And as long as that’s there and it’s so convenient, the smaller businesses will struggle and soon all our buying will be online and from big corporate companies.

Even if it’s just an apple from your local green grocers (if you have one), get your hair done at the little hairdressers down the road or the one who’s working from home. Buying some hand made soap made by the hands of a busy mum in her home. Or some art made by the mum who’s trying so hard to bring just a little bit of income into their family home because they too are struggling and all they want to do is bring happiness and joy into a world which at the moment needs hope and joy more than ever.

Like with everything made by a small business its often made by one or a couple of people who are working so hard to make some money. With myself painting or doing illustration isn’t just about picking up the paint and putting it onto a canvas and making something wonderful. Its about procrastination and self doubt even before I’ve picked the paintbrush up. Its about trying to come up with new ideas all the time, its about constantly trying to find your voice and doubting your self all the time, Its about guilt of wanting to paint and not bringing in any money or loosing time which should have been spent with your family. There’s so much physical and emotional work that goes into running any business, that when I personally produce a piece of work that I like and actually think about showing it to the world. It’s probably taken me 100s of hours of thinking, lack of sleep, worry and disappointment. But when I put it out into the world and its been viewed by maybe 2 people that I know it was all worth it.

And art doesn’t have to cost the earth, you can buy prints, my A6 postcard size prints are £8 and this is for my holiday collection and Happy Dog Collection. Just having this small piece of art that you put on your wall in a frame or even just with some tape or blue tack (although not advised as this will damage the paper) where it will just catch your eye as you rush out the door or make your way to bed. I know that when I see some prints or art that I’ve brought or even my sons own art hanging in my dining room or lounge etc it just makes me smile and for a split second in my busy chaotic day no matter what mood I’m in, it brings me happiness and that is priceless.

If you’re interested in supporting small businesses please try and be more conscious of what and where you shop. If you would like to support my own small business and would like to buy your own joy for your home, You can buy any of my prints from my website www.jofrancesarts.co.uk or view the whole collection on www.instagram.com/jofrancesarts

My art featured by @finding.a.balance on Instagram

And a hige thank you to Gracie at @graciedogwalking for your continued support

Once again thank you for taking time to read my little blog and supporting me on my journey of joy.

xoxox

Happy Dogs Collection and Sara Faber Illustrator

Dogs have always played a huge part in my life, from an early age my family joked that my first word was dog. It’s quite possible but not something I remember.

My cousins had numerous dogs from a lab to a Rottweiler, to a rescue mix breed. My nan and grandads neighbour would always come over when I was staying there with their black lab and I would feed her digestive biscuits, secretly in their kitchen.

When I was a kid my neighbours had a Doberman who was so tall she would peer over the fence. I would talk to her while I was in my climbing frame. I hated to read but I would read dog breed books (nothing else), I watched movies about dogs, I used to play dogs with my friends. It’s safe to say I was and still am slightly obsessed with dogs and animals in general. I was an only child from the age of 5 after my older brother sadly died, so I found comfort and companionship with my first rabbit Smokey (I wasn’t allowed a dog when I was young) Smokey was my first rabbit and acted like a dog, I spoke about her in another blog post (Click here to read https://jofrancesarts.art.blog/2021/11/13/to-affinity-and-beyond/) I used to take her out in my front garden and sit by the pond with her watching the fish. She never moved, I would also dress her up in doll clothes. But that’s another story.

I think from such a young age I filled the gap of not having a sibling with art and animals. Smokey was my best friend and I would always be with her when I was not at school. But I longed for a dog, and it wasn’t until I was 14 and we moved to a bigger house with a large garden then I got my first dog, Max a rescue black lab. He was amazing I remember being at school in my last lesson of History and desperate to get home to meet him. As soon as I walked through the door and he came running out of the kitchen up to me, I knew we would be life long friends and we were. He was there for me through every life event from the age of 14 up to my early 20s, friend fights, parents divorce, boyfriend break ups. He was my constant and we would sit on the bottom step of our stairs chatting and hugging and burying my tear stained face into his thick black fur. He never moved and if I stoped he would paw me or nudge me with his big head and silky ears.

He started off my reason for my first dog walking business although he was naughty on my walks. And my reason for going to Merrist Wood to study animal management and dog grooming course.

Anyway, enough of my private life history lesson. A few months ago I took a short break from social media. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and deflated with the constant pressure of posting and I could feel that I was starting to hit a creative wall. So before it all got too much and I resented doing social media and my creative work, I took a little break.

I would sit down and just draw on my iPad and things started to flow, because I let go of all the things on my to do list and just drew. I tried to call my inner child and thought about all the little drawings I used to draw as a child when I did this just for fun. I would make up all sorts of characters fantasy and real. And obviously I would draw a lot of dogs.

I then found Sara Fabre on Instagram ( https://instagram.com/sarafaber_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) who’s an artist and illustrator based in Berlin. She also has a YouTube channel and Patreon subscription, which I signed up to. I love her quirky illustrations of people and her landscapes. Her style is just so beautiful and her YouTube videos are so calming and tranquil. She also inspired me to get back into using my sketch book, which gave me the perfect reason to buy a new moleskin sketch book. Yay!

This journey was so enjoyable and I loved letting go and just doing something for fun and for myself. I’m also incredibly pleased and proud with how this collection has come out. I didn’t have any plans to release it but then I thought, what the hell, let’s just put them out there and let’s see how it goes. So with that here’s my latest collection, The Happy Dog collection. this collection consists of prints cards and new Stickers which I was soooooo exited about and happy how they have come out. So much so I brought my own Cricut machine to print my own stickers(still waiting for it to be delivered). This is so exciting and I cannot tell you how happy this makes me feel. I’ve also invested in a brand new fancy printer. I’ve been saving for a printer for so long now and I finally have one! I will be writing another blog post on both machines and sharing on social media so be sure to visit http://www.Instagram.com/jofrancesarts for that one!

Sniff out this new collection in my website http://www.jofrancesarts.co.uk

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“But is it really art if it’s done on an iPad?”

This is the kind of question I get when I tell people that some of my art has been done on my iPad. I get so many remarks like “so you haven’t drawn this, if it’s on a computer?’ Or “did you paint this or was it on the iPad” my reply is always “yes I painted it….on the iPad”. And the looks I get are of confusion and complete disbelief.

It’s hard to explain to someone that using a tablet to draw on is still as tricky as painting on canvas, both are hard and come with positives and negatives. and both are amazing to create works of art. I’ve been painting and drawing for about 37 years and I’m still learning new techniques.

At the age of 37 I had to learn how to use an iPad and how to draw with it. I watched countless YouTube videos and even enrolled in some online classes. I still have so much to learn and I love it. Don’t get me wrong I still love painting no drawing on a physical canvas or paper etc it will always be my first love.

A year ago I would have got quite angry and frustrated when someone would comment about my work asking how I had painted/drawn it. Does it really matter? ‘But it’s not proper art”. Don’t get me wrong there’s that little feeling of frustration in the pit of my tummy, I feel like they are discrediting my work, like the time effort and talent I’ve put into each piece isn’t worth it. I’ve now started to ask why they think it’s not “proper art” if I’ve hand drawn it on a tablet? Surprisingly they can’t give me an answer. I actually handed my iPad over to One person (who is also a family member) to see if they could draw something and surprisingly they declined.

So, is digital art, art? That’s the question. The way I look at it, is anything that creates something beautiful is art, no matter how it’s been created. It could be a building, a car, a painting, a textile, a pot anything that’s needed someone to come up with a design, think about what they need to use to create that, and actually go through all the ups and downs of getting it wrong making mistakes and then that glimmer of a break through – that’s art and that still applies to digital art.

Above is my new collection La Mer, these prints have been done digitally on my iPad. They are inspired by holiday pictures taken by myself or some inspirational friends photos who have given me permission to use their photos for this collection. If your interested in purchasing any prints please contact me at jofrancesarts@yahoo.com

Tools of my Trade

I recently put a post up on my Instagram account (see link below to see my recent work) about a very brief insight into the tools I use in my art. So I thought I would just hop in here to write a but more of an in-depth blog in case anyone out there was interested.

http://www.instagram.com/jofrancesarts

Depending on what I’m painting and what I’m feeling on the day depends on what paint and paint brushes I use.

I still have a lot of my Nan’s, Frances’s, paint brushes and water colours, they have got mixed up in amongst all my brushes, but when I’m painting pets I tend to use the following.

Akoya synthetic by Jackson’s number 5 – I use this when I’m painting with acrylic because it’s a fairly stiff and hard brush, and I use it to put a base down or to add looser fur.

Then I use a mix of Galleria (by Windsor and newton) round size S, Pro Arte series 100 2/0, Pro Arte 10/0 miniature painting for detailed areas like eyes, nose, highlights.

One brush I love is Silver Black Velvet number 8 which is generally used for watercolour painting and I use this for a wash when doing the base layers of colour, but it’s also great for details as it has a great point.

I then sometimes use a medium Pro Arte sword for when I’m painting larger portraits these are fab for fur and whiskers, as you can wet it into a point.

I also have some very cheap but amazing paintbrushes from IKEA I love them they are great for washes and detail as they keep their point really well. I love the way the handle too. Just goes to show you don’t need to spend a fortune on materials.

Then last but not least I sometimes use a Terry Harrison blender brush for, well blending some areas of colour when needed.

Paint: like I said before I use my nans watercolour pallet by Windsor and Newton or a travel water colour pallet set that I brought from Instagram and cannot find a name for it. I have found one on Amazon though.

Acrylic paint I tend to use a mix, I’m still trying to get through my cheaper paints and then I plan to replace them with Golden Open slow drying acrylic paint. It’s quite expensive but it’s an amazing paint. And as the name suggests it slow drying, acrylic is known for drying quickly and sometimes you need to slow down. It really helps with mixing and blending when on the canvas.

I use a mix of Galeria by Windsor and Newton, Daler Rowney System 3, Pebeo studio acrylics, Windsor and Newton Designer Gouache, Golden Open Slow Drying Acrylics, Liquitex Basics and Sennelier abstract acrylic.

I buy some materials from http://www.jacksonsart.com, http://www.Cassatt.co.uk, and some of my older supplies I brought when I worked in a local art shop called Brackendale Arts. It was small but like an Aladdin’s cave of art goodness. Sadly it closed down but it was a joy to work there, we were more like a family and still keep in contact.

Obviously I cannot write this post without talking about canvases, there’s so many to choose from and a variety of quality and finishes. I’m lucky that I still have some old canvases from working in Brackendale Arts, which are of very high quality, but I also have some cheaper ones from Hobbycraft, Amazon, Cowling and Wilcox is my go to now for canvas but I eventually want to stretch my own. I often use a Gesso primer to achieve the finish I want.

Caran D Ache and Manley pastels and a stretched canvas

I will sometimes use pastels like ones above to plot and plan out my painting on a canvas or or add a bit of texture and depth depending on how I am feeling and what the paintings is.

I also paint on paper and this can be System 3 acrylic paint pad or Windsor and Newton water colour paper.

You really don’t have to spend a lot when you first start out, I’m 40 this year and I have such a mix of different quality paints etc. It’s taken me a long time to find my preferred paint, brushes, canvas etc. But it’s been a joy playing and figuring out what I like.

And I cannot end this blog post without a shout out to these furries who keep me company while I paint.

If you would like to see my of my work head over to my Instagram page.

http://www.instagram.com/jofrancesarts

www.jacksonsart.co.uk

www.Cassatt.co.uk

www.cowlingandwillcox.co.uk

Where you hang you….art is where you hang your heart.

I get asked quite a lot about where’s the best place to hang their art work. This is such a personal heartfelt question and the answer is a difficult one. You’ve paid a lot for your art work so, I get that you want to hang it somewhere special. Especially if you’ve paid top dollar for it.

Where you put your art is so personal to you, but there are a few tips I can pass on.

1) Don’t put your art work or photos or wall hanging in direct sunlight. The natural sun can discolour and fade your new work. So best to keep it out of direct sun light.

2) Put it somewhere, where you can see it regularly and it makes you smile. This can be pretty much anywhere, but personally I love hanging art work in an entry hall way, above a bed, over a fire place. Anywhere really, even in a loo – but I wouldn’t recommend putting it in a bathroom because of the steam or kitchen because of heat, steam and oil residue. This is all pretty much common sense. Also think about your interior style and how your new art fits within your aesthetics.

3) Think about the frame your choosing. Does it fit your paintings style, your room, your style?

4) Does it need to be hung? Sometimes placing your frame or canvas art on a shelf, mantle or on a side board can look stunning. Especially on top of a stack of books. If it’s small enough art work can look beautiful in a built in book case.

The weight size and material of your painting dictates where it’s going to go, is your wall strong enough to hang a large heavy piece.

There is some science to hanging art, some expects say that the centre of the frame should be 57 inches above the ground. That’s where the average human eye level sees art.

Think about putting it in a collection, picture wall or weather you want them hung on their own. This can be measured out and precise using the same frames in the same colours or more of a eclectic feel. Like using different style and coloured frames This is all dependant on your own style of your home.

I would love to see how you display your art work, photos wall hangings, especially if you are lucky to have a JFA print or original. Share on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #jofrancesarts

2021 My Year in Review and what I want for 2022

And a updated price list….

In 2021 I decided to embark on my art journey, I wanted to build my business so it was a viable one, one that would earn me enough money to be independent. I also wanted to have the flexibility that if one of my sons needed me I would always be there for me.

I came across two women via the wonderful world of IG, Emily Jeffords and Ali Mapletoft. Two women who raise and teach creative people to become artistpreneurs, Creatrix’s, people who create wonderful work and release it into the world. Let’s face it the past couple of years we could all do with some joy sparking art work.

Both women’s principles were pretty much the same. And I have learnt so much from each one. In fact I’m just about to revisit Emily’s program again in the next few months.

One of the most amazing things I got from the courses, was meeting like minded women who are all on the same journey, with the same struggles, mindset blocks but that all each have their own ideas and dreams. These women have all been instrumental in my journey so far, and for that I am eternally grateful. We still meet each week bouncing ideas around supporting each other and keeping each other accountable.

This year I’m bringing with me all that I have learnt and the friendships I have made on a 12.9’ screen and hope we can meet this year in person. My dream for my business and my life is still the same, I want it to be joy able, I want to bring art to people who need it most and to bring a smile and some sun into their homes.

I will still be painting pets as I love what I do, but I feel that there is more I want to offer. I know there is something within that is bursting to get out and onto canvas or paper or even with twine and materials. My ideas books is bursting, but I have a whole year to spill my ideas onto your screen or even into your home.

If your interested in have a pet portrait commission or fancy something else for your walls, please get in touch for us to discuss what you envisage on your walls.

joffancesarts@yahoo.com

To affinity and beyond

As an artist and someone who previously has worked with animals, in particular dogs, I’m often asked why I have such an affinity with animals. And if I’m honest I’m not 100% sure where it came from, but I 100% know why!

A little bit of history…

I owned my first rabbit Smokey and his guinea pig companion Squeeks, when I was just 5. I had sole responsibility to care for these two. Sadly Squeeks died quite young (obviously I now know that rabbits and Guineas pigs shouldn’t be kept together but this was the 90s). Smokey lived to be about 10. I was a lonely child (my brother passed away when u was 4 and he was 9) so Smokey was my best friend, I did everything for her, I used to even dress her up in baby clothes and sit in the front garden by the pond, watching the fish while she sat contented with a flower between her ears. She was an ace rabbit and acted more like a dog. It was then that I started to see animals in different ways. Rather than just a mammal that was kept in a hutch. They felt what we felt, they had unique personalities, and she gave me so much love and companionship I will be forever grateful for her. After an amazing trip to South Africa when I was 13 with my parents we came home and I got Major who was named after a Wolfhound that resided in a house we stayed at. I thought it was a boy, but now I know it was a female. She was equally amazing and died when I was 18. Back then rabbit husbandry and my knowledge wasn’t as vast as it is now. I’ve owned rabbits ever since and at one point I had 8 rescue rabbits. My last rabbit Toots passed about in 2015. Now since my youngest son was born this is the longest I haven’t had a rabbit. I know that I can’t give one the undivided attention that they deserve. Plus we have foxes in our new home and a dog that wouldn’t take too kindly sharing her space with a house rabbit.

Smokey. The photo is kept by my bedside.

Going back to dogs, my dads side of the family have owned dogs, his older brother had dogs when he was an adult, my cousins always had dogs. Which is one of the reasons why I loved visiting because I wasn’t allowed to own a dog until I was 14, when we rescued Max from the RSPCA.

My mums dad, my grandad, owned Fox terriers and Airedale terriers as his father breed them. So maybe through these links the love has trickled down through the generations. My cousins Sara and Simon have loved dogs as much as me, in fact Sara who now lives in Canada owned her own dog walking company as well.

Max was a beautiful black Labrador who was absolutely amazing and to this day I still miss the old boy. When my parents divorced and me mum and max moved I got a puppy frenchie x British bulldog called Molly. She was certainly quirky but oh did we love her. Max wasn’t sure at first but soon came around. Sadly Max suffered a stroke when he was 14 and was respectfully put to sleep. He got me through so much, teenage heartache with boyfriends, friendship fall outs and my parents divorce. He would sit on the bottom step at home with me when I cried over my parents and would rest his head on my lap and look up at me like he knew. He didn’t know why I was upset but he just knew I was sad and wanted to comfort me.

My Mum rescued Izzie not long after molly passed, who is a staffi x and was a bit of a handful, but she’s amazing now and will be 10 in December, she’s grown up with my eldest son and she’s so patient with my youngest, she also gets a bit bullied by the whippet!

When I met my husband I still had Max, and Molly was about a few months old and despite not being a “doggy person” fell in love with them both, but particularly Molly. She idolised him. Sadly Molly passed away aged 8 from cancer. She went too soon and It still hurts. Loosing max was hard, he was our first dog and Molly didn’t live the full life she should have done. Before her passing we got Stan the whippet who we still have now and who will be 11 in December. Not long after loosing Molly, my mum rescued Izzie, a staffi cross, mum was living in her own as I was living with my husband and my eldest son was now 17 months. Izzies grown up with my kids and is a wonderful dog with them, she patient and calm. And she got my mum through lockdown last year. We all now live together so I’ve gone back to having 2 dogs in the house and I love it. My husband won’t admit it but he loves it too, and I think he’s a converted dog lover now especially with Stan. Stan’s his boy (apart from our sons of course) he gets up with him in the night to tuck him back into his sleeping bag (yes he has a Doddy sleeping bag)

A working life with dogs

I have had a very varied working life with dogs, which started when I went to agricultural collage and studied animal management. As much as I loved working with reptiles, farm animals, small mammals etc it was the dogs I always gravitated to.

I started my own dog walking and small pet boarding company back in 2005, did a canine first aid with my best mate Jai, studied canine grooming then opened up a grooming parlour in 2010 (still had the dog walking business and pet boarding thanks to Jai for running it part time). But it all fizzled out when I had my first son who is now 9. I continued to walk part time when he went to nursery. But things did shift for me when I became a mother, I always believed that dogs were my life and I wasn’t very maternal. But my youngest proved that I had enough love to give to him, Molly and Stan.

It was at this point when I was walking part time and my friend was doing it full time for me. That I decided to paint some of my customers dogs as their Christmas presents and that’s where the portraits started.

I can’t answer how when or where my love for animals has come from but I can tell you that my love and passion for animals has never wavered, it may have changed a bit since having kids, but I’ve come around full circle. All I know is that animals don’t have any agendas, they love unconditionally, they don’t judge, if your in a bad mood or sad they will rest their head on your lap and look at you as though they know what your feeling. It’s true that last year pets got us humans through so much uncertainly and heartache. Isn’t it about time as a human race we realise that they deserve more?

9 years on I still love dogs and have Izzie a staffie x and Stan the whippet and I’m still painting pets. It’s been a bumpy road at times, but in all honestly I wouldn’t change anything for the word (even the tough times) because these are all the paths we’re meant to take to get where we need to be. And I know this isn’t it, I know I have so much more to offer.

If your interested in having a pet portrait done I have a few spaces left for Christmas, or maybe you would like a Christmas card, or a animal inspired print which can be sent as a download?

In 2022 I have so many more offerings so stay tuned to see what happens or sign up to my email newsletters. Just scan the QR code below to sign up.

Give your pets a big squeeze. Xx

Christmas musings

My eldest son keeps asking me “how many more sleeps until Christmas” and I keep saying quite a few. But actually there’s only 45 more days until the big day. I watched my first cheesy Christmas film the other day. We’re living in a new home and despite being a bit chaotic with renovations, still not fully unpacked and bringing two households together, I cannot wait to decorate for Christmas. Is anyone else excited?

With Christmas fast approaching it’s got me thinking about my little corner of the web, and how can I offer my customers more choice and range of styles. It then got me to thinking about how will my art be seen in the world, on peoples walls, shelves above the mantle over the fire along with stockings and tinsel. Thinking about this is quite a big deal for me, I paint a portrait but haven’t ever thought about where it ends up or what it looks like. I don’t often get photos from the recipients with the paining on the wall and that’s my fault. I need to ask for photos of my paintings in peoples homes.

I then started to think about my own dogs Stan and Izzie who I don’t have any paintings of (shameful I know) So I sat down and started to paint them in a loose 20 x20 cm style and size. This looser smaller style would make great gifts for people as they are really affordable. And could even fit into a large stocking.

If your interested in having a smaller portrait done for yourself or for someone else please get in touch jofrancesart@yahoo.com.

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