Thursday, April 12, 2007

My Dog Has Fleas

Enjoy these ukulele pups, then read the story behind them...


In addition to the positive feedback I got from my blog fans, the director of the Animal Shelter also really liked the sketch from my previous post. So she asked if they could use it in conjunction with their regular fundraiser, the Wednesday Night Wag.
"Sure!" said I.
So she put me in touch with the agency that handles it. "This is great." They said, "but we need it as an Illustrator file and in a vertical composition so we can use it as a side banner on the web. And we need it pronto."
"OOoookay", I replied. But I don't know Illustrator. So I sent my drawing to my friend in Florida, Dave Nethery, who does an incredible job with furry beasts. Dave confessed his Illustrator skills were moderate, and suggested I contact our mutual friend Janelle Bell-Martin. So I did, and she generously accepted to take on the job over the Easter Weekend.
Then, in my talks with the agency people, they asked if I could re-do the pose again, and give the pup a sly smile with his head more downward.
Well, I wasn't going to unload more work on Janelle, especially since I wasn't going to pay her. And as I was discussing this with my friend Jim Stuletto (of Firepit Friday fame), he said, "I can do that for ya."
So, having no idea what kind of palette Janelle was coming up with (other than a yellow bandana I had asked for), Jim went to work yesterday.
So now I have two offerings for the shelter to take their pick. Unfortunately, because of my lack of communicating clearly with my artist pals, I don't have two of the same color pups, so they can't use them both if they want. (sigh).
But here they are for you to enjoy. I think they both turned out swell. Though I must admit, I like the pose of the first one better.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Must admit, Tim, that the very first one (previous post) is my favorite. But out of these two, hmmm. I don't know. Think I like the second one better. I like the "blue uke" - nice contrast against his fur. Of course, he's left-handed, which you don't see very often, true? And for some reason the smile really reminds me of the Tramp on "Lady and the Tramp."

Nice job, all the way around!

A Nonny Mouse

Tim said...

Yeah, I had to make him a south paw to make the composition work with his head pointed down. As a righty, it got all crowded. And, yes, I am sure "Lady & the Tramp" sensibilities affected me. That's one of my favorite Disney films.

Anonymous said...

One of my favorites, too. Along with "101 Dalmations" (the original). And I see your point about how crowded it would have been with the uke pointed the other way and his head pointed down.

But BOTH pictures are good! You are so talented!

Nonny