Hgtv fixer fabulous — a quick note to anchor this piece for readers.
Hgtv fixer fabulous: Quick notes
This summer, I worked on my largest-ever commissioned pet portrait project – a collection of five original oil paintings for Jenny Marrs, to be featured in a home makeover on Fixer to Fabulous on HGTV. It started when Jenny reached out to ask me to write an endorsement for her new book. As much as time allows, I try to say yes to those requests to support other writers and creative entrepreneurs. As I was reading through the digital sample of the book so I could write the endorsement, I realized that we both went to high school in Orlando, Florida. As it turns out, we went to rival schools, and I was just a couple of years ahead of her! I would imagine we crossed paths at some point. Anyway, this led to more chit-chat, and I had the thought that I should present the idea of using my art in one of her makeovers if it was ever a fit. I actually had a draft ready when she asked about painting a collection of five portraits for an upcoming project. It was one of those cool moments in life when things just line up. I was so honored that Jenny asked me, but I knew it would stretch me as an artist. Five portraits, and one of them pretty large, were a big project, but it was an amazing opportunity, and I couldn’t say no.
So, I worked on them over the summer…
…and the Fixer to Fabulous episode featuring the finished work just aired last week.
It was a unique project for me because I worked with the production team rather than the pet owner directly. Usually, there is some back-and-forth to select the best photo for the portrait and make other small choices, like whether the collar or bandana is included. In order to keep the paintings a surprise, though, I had to work with what the team provided, which was direction on the background and size of each portrait.
So, I thought I would show the picture along with the finished painting of each work. This is Absinthe, which I think turned out to be my favorite painting…
This is Walker…
With both cats, I kept the background to the requested neutral blue/gray while also giving them a sense of place. I loved painting his little bean toes.
This is Nola…
Her soulful eyes were my favorite part, along with her little nose coming out from those curls.
At 24 x 30, Mattie’s portrait was the biggest, and took me a few days to finish.
I enjoyed trying to find all of the color variations in the black and gray fur.
Paisley was a challenge due to her long fur and cataracts. I asked if the homeowners wanted me to include the cataracts or perform some corrective surgery with paint, but this is how they know and love her in her old age, so they wanted me to paint her with the cataracts.
I had never painted cataracts before, so I played with some studies before finishing the final painting to make sure they read as cataracts and not crazy eyes. Hopefully, that was successful. I will say, she has an impressive beard!
So, here they all are in the space that Jenny and her team designed…
I can’t tell you how wild it is to see my work in that space! I love the frames Jenny selected. I don’t always get to see where my paintings end up, so it’s always fun when I get to see them in their new home.
If you weren’t able to catch the episode (Season 7 episode 6) on HGTV, you can watch it on MAX.
Hgtv fixer fabulous comes up here to connect ideas for clarity.
