Facebook Giveaway: Meet the Winners

So my 2020 Facebook Giveaway has finally come to a close and I am currently trying to write this blog with a 25kg overly needy english bulldog who is insistent on becoming a lapdog and smushing his face into mine as he tries to sleep.

There were so many fantastic entries that I ended up giving away three commissions! I picked two myself as I was after a very specific pose for a new technique that I was trialling and the third went to a vote.

The new technique I wanted to trial was using anthracite pastel mat by Clairefontaine with a metallic gold acrylic background, an underlay of gouache and finally coloured pencil on top. I feel it turned out very well, slightly more painterly and illustrative but a style that I have quickly fallen in love with. Now it's time to meet the winners and hear their very special stories <3

The French One:

This is the one that went to the vote and won by a clear mile! It is my usual style of coloured pencil on premium nevertear paper by xerox and on the smallest size I offer at 6x8. Keep reading to learn about her amazing story from the owner herself:

"A rescue girl who was previously used for breeding and was brought into the UK in 2012 carrying 'undesirable colour genes' which is why she was used like she was. She had very low muscle capacity leading us to believe that she had lived in a small space or in a cramped cage. The French One has a very low immune system which inturn means she struggles with allergies or to fight off infections. Recently, she was diagnosed with vestibular syndrome which includes loss of balance, falling, rolling over, abnormal flickering of the eyes and general wobbliness. This caused her issues to flare up and we fought long and hard for nearly 12 months to get back on track. She now is comfortable (on medication to support this) and on a daily basis rules the roost, keeping her brothers Daimler & Billy in line ! She has a happy life and is loved by many ... although she is deaf as a post and ooozes character ensuring she is known wherever she goes ! ♡"

Meadow:

This was my first handpicked winner for the trial piece. Not only because the pose was perfect and I could flick her ears perfectly over the border but also because I know she and her owner are having a tough time! This is size 10x8, mixed media on Pastlemat.

Learn more about her amazing story here (she has certainly got herself into a lot of trouble over the years!

"Meadow came into my live nearly six years ago after she was rescued by the Edward Foundation. She came down the garden path with a little swagger, feigning confidence and tried to impress us by barking, playing and generally showing off to win us over. I look back and can see she was anxious and worried but in true bullie style she hid it well. Her favourite thing in the world is food. Her motto is ' Food is life, Life is food!' She is stubborn, liking to do what she wants, when she wants and not giving a damn what my opinion is. She is loving, incredibly funny, kind and loyal, never leaving my side and even accompanying me to the bathroom which can sometimes be a little disconcerting! Every day she has myself and her nana smiling and laughing over something mischievous that she has done or the comical expressions on her beautiful face with her little 'teefs' sticking out and her big quirky ears perched on top of her head.

She has a little bustling run which is not very fast, but seemingly very efficient, as she tries to expend the least energy possible but still arriving as quickly as she can. The main word I would use to describe Meadow is brave. I know very little of her background but she has a fear of being restrained in any way. Vet visits have always terrified her and trying to hold her still for any treatment results in her screaming, thrashing about and getting so upset you fear of her having a heart attack. This makes her all the more brave as she has had so many procedures, operations and treatments over the last 6 years which have been especially traumatic for her. She has: twice swallowed chews whole and had to have them surgically removed from her throat; stole and ate a whole chocolate cake; has had multiple eye ulcers, grid keratotomies, eyelids stitched over, conjunctival graft, multiple broken tooth removal, cancerous tumour removal, biopsies, CT scans , x-rays, MRI, Cushings, Thyroid removal, and osteoarthritis. You name it, she has had it. Despite all of this she has faced life with bravery, determination and a little bit of naughtiness, never letting anything hold her back or get her down. This strength and spirit is what gets her into accidents and what helps her survive them. She is my constant companion, my best friend, my daughter, a very spoilt and adored granddaughter, the only being who loves me unconditionally, the centre of my world and most of all my hero x"

Cooper:

This was the third and final drawing in my giveaway, keeping up with the painterly and illustrative style. I was instantly drawn to Cooper's inquisitive smile, the ear that I could flick over the edge and again, the story behind him and his owner.I hope this portrait can provide comfort for his owner in the darkest times. Unfortunately Cooper is no longer with us but you can read about his story here:

"We got Cooper (Coops) at 7weeks old and he was a gift from my husband who had terminal cancer. He bought Cooper to look after my boys and myself. Cooper was full of energy and a proper character. We always said he was like a human as he would tap on the fridge when he wanted chicken and he was so funny when he was trying to get my attention. I would say "show me what you want" and he would: pat the stairs to go to bed, go to his lead for a walk, pat his treat draw for treats and even sit and nudge his bowl for food - the list is endless. We used to break up a treat, throw the pieces on the floor and he would wait until we said he could eat them. One time we did this and then went upstairs forgetting about the treats and when we returned he was slavering waiting for his command to eat them.

Even as he got older, couldn't see properly and lost his hearing we would communicate in our own little ways that we both understood. Cooper was my doggy soul mate, i even slept downstairs with him for years as he struggled with the steps.

One night Cooper began to bark, cry and placed his head on my chest with tears down his cheeks. I was having trouble anyway so got checked and unfortunately it turned out to be breast cancer. I know he picked it up because he thought I wasn't coming back like my husband who passed 16 years earlier with cancer.

I moved into a smaller house 2 weeks after my operation to be near my sons. Cooper really loved it, settled well and stopped barking. We had 7 lovely months in my new house. Coops was up and down with his health and then on 14th September 2018 we phoned his vet who he loved. My sons, myself and my best friends were with Coops throughout. We cuddled him and i looked into his eyes as he did in mine as i kissed his nose and held his paw whilst the vet sent him over rainbow bridge. Bitter sweet but he was at home cuddling his teddy with my heart pillow and other bits - we gave him cheese that he couldn't have and he loved it....

Because Cooper was the last gift of my husband before he passed I now raise funds for dog charities, cancer charities or anyone in need - i carry on that Gift - Coopers Gift - The Gift That Keeps On Giving. In both of my soul mates memories.... I was so blessed to have Coops, he was so so funny, full of character, a laugh a minute, so loyal, loving and devoted ..Coops you are FURever in our hearts wuv you xx"

And that rounds up my 2020 triple giveaway! I really hope I managed to create a loving memory for their owners in the form of a portrait. I hope you enjoyed learning a little about the dogs and their owners as much as I did, through both happy times and sad.

Like my dog, who has finally given up his ambition of becoming a lapdog as I round this up, they are our family, our friends, our supporters in the darkest of times and have no doubt come into our lives to change them for the better.

Many Thanks - Stephanie Perry