BarkWorld was one of those great events where I had the chance to meet online pals face to face.

Usually I am only able to talk to these folks through a computer. But when I get to meet them without a computer, it is hard to make myself spend time blogging about it while it is happening.

I will write about my latest adventure – BarkWorld Expo 2010 very soon. I especially want to write about the GMC Terrain that was provided to me as part of the GMC Bark-N-Ride. It was a great vehicle, and I am very grateful that I got a chance to drive one to Atlanta, GA for the BarkWorld Expo 2010.

Right now, however, I want to share the inspiration that I gained from the trip with you.

I saw lots of great dogs at the event, and afterward, I went to the Atlanta Folk Fest for my art “fix”.

I came back with so many creative ideas, I have decided to do a paint-a-thon to share some them with you.

On Thursday, August 26, 2010, I will engage in an exclusive “Paint-A-Thon”, painting animal themed artworks non-stop from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm in my studio at 336 4th St. NW, Canton, OH.

All works created in that 12 hours will be auctioned off in a silent auction online via Twitter Thursday, August 26, 2010.  Bidding on BZTAT artworks will begin at 9:00 pm EDT and conclude around 11:00 pm EDT.

Honestly, I am doing this so that I can keep the doors open at BZTAT Studios. It is costly to keep an artist studio operating. I will, however, give 10% of the sales to Romeo The Cat’s FurPower charity for this month, Second Chance Pet Adoptions.

Follow my tweets (hashtag #bztatptg) during the 12-hour stretch to watch the paintings develop. Then participate in the auction from 9 pm – 11pm EDT.

Auction Bidding Instructions:

• If you would like to submit a bid on Twitter, please send a tweet with the word BID in all caps,  your bid amount and #bztatptg written in the tweet.
• Your profile must be visible in Tweetgrid for us to receive the bid.
• All bids must be in $5.00 increments.
• The lowest bid for all works will be $40.
• Bid winners will receive instructions to pay the winning bid via PayPal plus $20 US shipping or $40 international shipping per painting.
• A 10-minute warning will be tweeted to announce the conclusion of the auction 10 minutes before bidding stops.
• It is recommended that interested Twitterers follow the action on Tweetgrid to get real time updates. (We are not responsible for any technical difficulties that may occur as a result of Twitter or associated application interruptions.)
• Follow the #bztatptg hashtag on Twitter to follow all the action. You do not have to bid to join in the fun!

Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010

Paint-a-thon Time: 9 am – 9 pm (EDT)

Auction Time: 9 pm – 11 pm (EDT)

My paint-a-thons are a great way to find some affordable bargains on artwork that my never come around again.

I hope you will join me for this special event. I promise to have some new and fresh images that have not been seen before.

Have suggestions for what you’d like me to paint? Leave them in the comments below.

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Custom Pet Portraits / Contemporary Artwork of Cats, Dogs and other Animals

BZTAT Studios - In the heart of the Canton, OH Arts District

Artwork by BZTAT

Meet (from left to right) Skittles, Junior and Marshmallow! These frisky fellows are Westies, or West Highland Terriers, that live in Perry, OH, a suburb of Canton. I was honored to paint their custom pet portrait as a gift to their favorite human from her parents.

Skittles and Junior are younger pups and from the same litter. Marshmallow is a bit older, but still very energetic. Can you imagine living with 3 Westies? the energy level in that home must be unbelievable!

They just moved into a new home that their family had custom built, and the portrait was commissioned as part of the new decor.

This painting was a bit of a challenge for me, as white fluffy dogs tend to be the most difficult to do in my style. Multiply that difficulty by three, and you have an even bigger challenge. And this was a larger painting–30″ H x 40″ W.  But I enjoyed working on the piece and was pretty pleased with the end result.

What do you think?

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Would you like a custom pet portrait of your pet?