The Week in Doodles: Changes Edition

The more I draw, the more I grow and evolve.

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Where it started

I started this doodle project on May 26 in response to some changes in the market I was seeing. My traditional portrait and merchandise sales were down over the previous two quarters, which meant that I was raising less money for shelters and organizations that so desperately needed it. I'd been following an artist over in the UK who was creating really bad pet portraits and raising a lot of money to help animals, and I wondered if I might be able to do something similar. I didn't want to copy him; I wanted to do my own thing. But what was that thing? What could I do that would be authentically mine?

I spent weeks mulling over ideas and kept coming back to the one thing that I thought might be something that could work. Early in my dog training days, the trainer asked me to design art for a t-shirt that included her dogs and coffee in some way. I did some art (that I am embarrassed by now) that we put on shirts and that was that. But maybe that had some legs? I mean, it was mine. Not a copy of something that another person was doing, just with my spin on it.

Where I am

Two months later, I've hit my stride. I'm pushing myself to try something new every day. Something I didn't think I could do when I began. And it's working! My drawings are getting a little better every day. I'm excited to see where I can go and what might be possible. There's a lesson in there for everyone: the thing you think you can't do is actually doable. You just have to try. See for yourself. Here are my doodles for the week of Aug. 3. The newest are at the top.

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If you'd like me to do a doodle of your pup, we can make it happen! 

Send me their photo and include their name (and breed if you want to). Please make sure they're looking at the camera so I can see their face. If you're seeing this post on someone's page and comment, you will need to tag me. Otherwise, I will never see the comment and a drawing will never happen. And no one wants that. 

My spectacular drawings are completely free. I just ask that you pay it forward somehow. You can check out the Giving Back page for three great organizations that could use your help. If you don't have money to donate, don't worry. There are several ways to help without spending a penny. Share this blog post or follow me on Facebook and share my posts there. If you have a neighbor who owns a dog and has a hard time getting around, volunteer to take their dog for a walk every day. Pick up poop around your neighborhood. Little things make a huge difference! Thanks for reading! I hope the rest of your day is amazing and that you get to see, pet, or snuggle a dog. WOOF!