After the last couple of posts about nutrition, I want to get back to some fun stuff with this post. As I was thinking about what to write about (and cleaning out my purse), an idea fell into my lap. I love when that happens. Buried in the depths of my purse was a business card that I picked up at the Tempe Arts Festival a couple of months ago for Jimmy Ellis Art. By now you can probably tell that I am a bit of a dog nut so when I am out and about, pretty much anything dog related is likely to catch my eye. I was delighted to discover Jimmy Ellis as one of the exhibitors at the art festival.
Jimmy Ellis’s tent was filled with colorful images of all kinds of dogs drinking all kinds of cocktails with their doggie homies. It was puppy love at first sight for me. I was able to overlook the cat images and not hold them against my new friend (though he doesn’t know it yet), Mr. Ellis.
Jimmy had many sizes of various prints available there at the show and I overheard him talking with another customer, explaining that he had many more available online. I was intrigued, but also on a spending freeze, so I grabbed a card and planned to check it out later.
A visit to Jimmy’s site gave me a chance to learn more about my new friend, Mr. Ellis. This little introduction made me smile, and plays right into my black lab-loving heart:
“After working through many of the jobs an artist might have: manually pulling silkscreens for a commercial shop; mechanical art designer for an embroidered emblem factory; advertising and layout designer and illustrator for books, magazines, newspapers and catalogues; store and restaurant display designer and storyboard artist for television and the movies. I began selling art made by me directly to the public in 1995. The comic cat and dog imagery evolved in my work almost naturally. I had reached a impasse and nothing seemed to be working so I was having some drinks one night with my dogs and cat and I expessed my frustrations. The old black lab said, ‘You just got to take a good look around and paint what you know. Cheers!’”
Jimmy offers something for everyone with a lengthy list of dog breeds represented. These would make an awesome, affordable gift for the dog lover on your list, so feel free to steal the idea…especially if it’s a gift for me or any of my friends!
I think Mr. Johnson would like this one:
This one is perfect for Miss Belle:
Ginger Spice has this one on her list:
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Can’t forget Penny Girl:
Junie and Boots would have loved this one:
And least, but not least a shout out to my girl, Ella:
Do you know of any good dog art? Don’t be shy, the sillier the better!
Meow, Meow girlfriend!!