A HUGE! Congratulations is in order for my first ever competition Winner, Gillian, and her beloved kitty, Smokey.
For the first three weeks of January, Your Pet Portraits shared and posted (and shared and posted and posted some more,) all about this incredible competition where the Winner would receive a Bespoke Pet Portrait Prize worth £200!
How amazing is that?!
Below is the one and only Smokey, who I am currently drawing right now. Just look at his whiskers…!
Here is what his owner Gillian, said about Smokey,
“This is my beautiful boy Smokey who went to Rainbow Bridge this week. He loved catnip and was like a dog who followed you for food. His meaow sounded like he was saying hello. He was 11 and he loved playing football in the hall. Miss him so much.”
We were extremely sad to hear that Smokey had passed away very recently. Smokey won the competition when his owner’s name, Gillian was selected at random on the live video on Facebook!
People all over the country and even across the waters contacted Your Pet Portraits with some beautiful animals they wished could win the Bespoke Portrait Prize.
Among the 100+ entries that came in were these little beauties!
This is Bailey who was nominated by Andrea in North Wales.
“This is Bailey, she’s 15 months old. She had a very tough start in life when she picked up a nasty infection and spent 10 days in the vets from the day we picked her up. Her recovery was slow to start but we got there in the end. She is the life and soul of our home! We actually think shes a fury human she’s so full of character. She will sit and move her mouth to join in conversations, sit across dad’s shoulders and licks his head when he comes in from work and loves to come between us if we are not giving her attention. I have so many funny photos which show her true character, she really is one in a million!”
– Andrea, North Wales.
We can definitely see Bailey’s character in these – they were all such fab photos I couldn’t choose! So enjoy them all.
Next up is Stig who was nominated by Tina from Bacup in Lancashire. Stig is a beautiful Bearded Dragon!
“This is the Stig, he is just over 4 years old. My partner bought him for Christmas for me. He is funny! He runs around and likes watching top gear, hence the name. He loves locusts and cucumber and lettuce and enjoys the odd bath.”
– Tina, Bacup,Lancashire.
Just LOOK at his tongue! Oh my! I’ve never had chance to draw a Bearded Dragon before, but I imagine it would be a good challenge with all the detail.
Next up, all the way from Bournemouth, is Louise’s entry with the gorgeous Louis, featuring his buddy Rowan, aged 3.
“This is Louis. A crazy Blue Merle Shetland Sheepdog. He has epilepsy but still lives life to the full! He has beautiful blue eyes and loves a massage!”
– Louise, Bournemouth.
Louise, he is beautiful with such gorgeous colours! Thank you!
Introducing Oscar (left) and Alfie (right) next from Lorraine in Manchester,
“Me and hubby got them for our 1st wedding anniversary. They were 8 week old brothers when got them. They both went mad for spring greens and I don’t think I’ve seen a rabbit get so excited as Alfie does when it comes to food! Oscar was the mischievous one, always biting the walls floor carpet etc and Alfie thinks things are beneath him (he sticks his nose in the air as if to say I wouldn’t dream of behaving like that) if Oscar got told off. Oscar was 2 years old when lost him last year suddenly and no reason to it. They were like chalk and cheese these 2 couldn’t get more opposite characters which in my opinion just made then unique. Alfie struggled after without Oscar but hes now got a girlfriend!”
– Lorraine, Manchester.
With two of my own bunnies Lorraine, I can see why they both mean so much to you!
Next up is Diane from Criccieth, Wales, with her adorable Cat Alfie.
“This is my baby boy Alfie, he’s nearly 3 but he’s quite tiny! He is a playful kitten but quite nervous around children! He loves to bring us presents from shrews to baby bunnies we’ve had them all! I’d love a portrait of Alfie done because he’s so beautiful and has lovely markings.”
– Diane, Criccieth, Wales.
He does look tiny and I just love those markings on his head!
This next one is a gorgeous couple, Hope and her favourite human Lizzy, sent in by Shelly from Texas.
This is my granddaughter Lizzy and her very tolerant Welsh pony Hope. The pony is dragged about, painted, decorated with flowers and totally loves her kid!
– Shelly, Hilsboro, TX
Such a beautiful photo, thank you for sharing Shelly!
Last but not least of these Feature Furries, here is a gorgeous entry from Molly in California, of her beautiful cats, Binx and Gandalf the Grey – (yes, that’s Binx, as in Thackery Binx Hocus Pocus Fans! And a LOTR reference for your adventurers out there!)
“Binx (right) and Gandalf the Grey (left) love to cuddle on fuzzy blanket together in the evening. These two have come a long way! Binx was at first not too thrilled with his new little brother, but now they are inseparable.”
– Molly, California.
Two of the most photogenic cats in the business! Thank you so much Molly!
Well, it’s safe to say that there were some wonderful entries to the competition, we even had birds and horses too!
I wish I could feature them all here!
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported Your Pet Portrait’s first ever competition – make sure you keep an eye out for more of these coming up later in the year.
From us here at Your Pet Portraits HQ, it’s over and out!
Thanks for reading.
M.
