Beautiful with Only Three Legs

Meet Uma. She's a four-year-old sweet, funny, lovable, and beautiful Great Dane. And one of the many dogs with cancer. Uma's story hits close to home for me because my dog, Avery has had cancer for 3 years now. Initially we did radiation and chemotherapy becuase the mass cell tumor had metatstsized, but now we keep it at bay by removng her lumps when they pop up (now that we know what to look for, catching them early is the best plan). We hope to give her as many years to lay in the sun and go on walks as we can.

So when my friend Jeiran told me they found osteocarcenoma in Uma's leg, I understood the pain and worry. Because of how aggressive osteocarcinoma is in dogs, the veterinary oncologist highly recommended taking Uma's leg off. A desision I know was not an easy one for my friend and her husband. Having gone through everything with Avery's Cancer and fighting to save Simon on many occasions, these are the decisions that make pet ownership so hard. Playing God, I call it.

So, after thinkng about it and being advised by the vets that dogs adjust very well to only three legs, Uma's cancer leg was removed. I saw her a week or so after and was really encouraged by how well she seemed to be getting the hang of it–she wasn't all the way there, but she was getting there!

And now, a month or so later (and pictured here in this post) she seems to have it down as beautifully and gracefully as ever. Admirable, don't you think?

Me + Liberty of London

I photographed some animals a few months ago for Target, and while I knew what my objective was for the shoot, I didn't really know too much about the end product. The Art Director attempted to explain his idea for placing patterns of a new line they had in the works over the animals, but he didn't have completed comps for me to see, so I had a hard time imagining what on earth he was dreaming up. Fast forward to last week when my best friend dragged me to every Target in Los Angeles to find "this bedding" she had to have. Apparently it was sold out online and in most stores. Good news, we found it! And while we were on this mission, I was able to see in person what came of that shoot several months back. Sometimes in this business, you wrap a shoot and move on to the next one, and there just isn't time and energy to chase down everyone to see the results of your work. So, I was glad I got to see this. Kudos Target!

Handsome Buddy

And now back to regularly scheduled shyness!!!

Etsy Portrait Video, or as I like to call it, jumping out of an airplane.

You always hear about the importance of facing your fears; doing things that scare you whatever they may be. Many people might do things like bungee jump, jump out of an airplane, or maybe even run with the bulls in Pamplona. But for me, it's being in FRONT of the camera and talking about myself that scares me most! I'm an open book around the people I love and know well–to be honest, I'm sometimes downright sarcastic and bold. But out in the world, I tend to be private and shy.

While I don't have fears associated with showing my work (I got over that one long ago), revealing myself, well, that's another story. So in a million years, I never thought I'd EVER agree to anything like this video. When Tara from Etsy first starting emailing me about doing an Etsy Portrait video (about a year ago), I put her off for as long as I could by telling her that my shoots take a lot to put together and I just didn't see how I could make it work at a time she would be out in LA. But when I realized this girl wouldn't take no for an answer (she was VERY persistent), I figured I'd better just do it and face my fears. So, I invited her to come film me photographing a Baby Giraffe.

So here I am....jumping out of an airplane:

*and, don't forget to go to Etsy and comment to win a LARGE 17x22 Limited Edition of Baby Giraffe No. 3.

Thanks to Tara for being such a talented storyteller. I can't think of a better person to face my fear with!

20x200

First: I love 20x200.

Second: I nearly peed my pants when they asked me to do a few editions for them.

Third: Thankfully I always keep some unreleased animal selects in my back pocket.

So today, 20x200 released new images of both Lamb and Piglet. Both new shots were in my top 3 when editing, but I held them back. And now, thanks to 20x200 they are available in four different sizes at affordable prices - I know this will please my customers immensely.

Now if only Jen Bekman would take over my shops, maybe I could get some sleep : )

Here is the link to my editions, and while you are there, make sure to check out all the other great art available at 20x200.

Flamingo

Ostrich and Ostrich Egg at Home

Continuing with sharing my animals in their new homes, I received these beautifully photographed shots of Lesley Townsend's amazing New York apartment - Hanging in her gorgeous dining room are 30" x 40" limited editions of Ostrich and Ostrich Egg. These images were shot by Emily Gilbert. Thanks Emily and Lesley!

Expressive Eyes

Cow at Home

I always like seeing my animals in their new homes. Here's a shot of my friend Max Wanger's house - Grouped with that amazing chair and those pretty poufs, is my cow print. If you dig looking at people's homes (I do), you can see the rest of Max and Margoux's place over at Design Sponge.

The B's

Meet Pug brothers Bodie and Bob, or "the B's." They're an endearing 14 years old and they belong to my friend Kishani Perera (a celebrated interior designer, if I may brag for her), and obviously a very devoted Mom – See the "B" tattoos on each of her wrists.

Though Kishani has had the B's since they were pups, she lost custody of Bob for three years. When she and Bob were finally reunited, the vet cautioned Kishani that Bob may only have a few more years left (that was when he was he was only three years old) - Thankfully the vet was wrong and despite arthritis, an episode of stomach torsion, and a knee replacement, he's still quite the precocious little bugger. Bob also manages to be the Alpha to Bodie even though Bodie is nearly double his size. That's okay though, because Bodie can be a little maniac in his own right, and needs someone to keep him in check!

Mister & Company

Here a few more of charming Mister with his human pal and his dog pal:

Mister

Last week my husband came home from visiting our cousin's with an iPhone photo of the puppy their neighbors had just rescued. His name is Mister. He's an adorable ten week old pit mix, and he's pure white – except for a handful of black spots on his nose. I HAD to take his photo. Of course, Mister's cuteness alone was all I needed to see to get me over there with my camera, but he also presents a challenge I felt I had to take on – he's deaf, which made him even more precious to me. Since puppies don't yet have sit and stay commands mastered, I rely heavily on noise when I photograph them - squeaky toys, krinkling water bottles, and my voice. None of those things would work on Mister. Oh, and he had just come from puppy kindergarten, so he was all treated out - no food motivating either. Basically I had nothing. None of my trusted aides would help with Mister, well, except for one - my husband. With his help and A TON of patience, here's what I got of this special little guy who doesn't let his inabilty to hear hold him back:

Thanks Ryan and Aria!

Elk Accessories

Designer Marnie Goding of Elk Accessories purchased a 30" x 40" Reindeer Print from me a while back for her design studio in Melbourne. Last month she surprised me with this feature Home Beautiful Magazine published about her business and studio. I think she did Reindeer proud against that black wall (I'm really digging the black wall thing these days).

Thanks Marnie!