Otter was a Chocolate Lab who I had been commissioned to paint at the very tail end of my 2023 pet portrait season. By "pet portrait season" I mean the period from October until Thanksgiving.

This order came in the first week of December, so technically it was a late order. I was inclined to turn it down and refund the half payment. But after a phone call with the gentleman who explained that Otter had recently passed and his wife was having a very hard time with it, I – being the softy that I am – agreed to squeeze in a last minute RUSH project.

My biggest concern was getting the portrait painted, printed, and delivered before Christmas. It was a large portrait: thirty-six inches square.

Fearing it would take me a long time to create, I got right on it, painting nonstop for three days. NOTE: I remarked that Otter looked a bit melancholy and was told that was his favorite location in the yard for naps. The photo was taken as we was drifting off to sleep, or waking up. I can't remember.

I finally got the proof out on December 8th. It was approved that day, and I sent it off to my print vendor that evening.

Luckily, the printer is located in Denver and they were able to print it, wrap the canvas on a frame, package it, and send it within 3 business days (I paid a RUSH fee). The portrait arrived a week before Christmas.

Whew!

I usually try to cut off portrait orders on Thanksgiving, just to give me time to finish with enough time for my vendor to print and ship. It is also nice to have some time to do my own Christmas paintings.

This time it worked out, but if you are thinking of ordering a portrait this Christmas, please order as soon as possible.

Otter (36x36, digital)