Introducing Kasey Jones!

I thought I should take a moment and make a very much overdue introduction of one of my greatest inspirations, Kasey Jones. Kasey is the third member of the Jones family, and also the hairiest, though not by much. ;) She has provided me with a lot of inspiration, and I'm thrilled that she was able to take a break from destroying her newest toy to do this interview.

Kasey, who are you?

Well, I was born in Pittsboro, NC and my mom was a German Shepherd; I'm not sure who my dad was. I had lots of brothers and sisters. Then my new daddy came and rescued me and now I live in Holly Springs! Mommy and daddy have lots of nicknames for me like Kasalina, Little One, Gray Beard, Bat Ears, and Weirdo. I used to be really little, but now I'm 97 pounds and very strong! I am almost 3 years old, so I'm a grown-up now and should be able to do whatever I want, but mommy and daddy don't let me. They don't know what it's like to be my age.

What's your favorite food?

BANANAS! BANANAS! BANANAS! I can be upstairs far away from the kitchen and I can still hear mommy or daddy peel a banana. As soon as I hear that 'crack' I run as fast as I can to get to the banana. Usually I leave a trail of drool behind me because just thinking about bananas makes my mouth water uncontrollably. Then I sit down and try to look cute so that mommy or daddy will share, but usually they get grossed out by the waterfall of drool I produce and throw me a piece so I stop making a mess. Also, when daddy comes inside from working out and he's really sweaty I like to lick him a lot. He tastes salty. I also really like rabbit and deer poo, but I get in trouble when I eat that.

Do you like to chase things? What's your favorite thing to chase?

I can't choose just one! I love to chase flies when I let them in the house; I usually catch them and then I get treats! Outside I like to chase squirrels and rabbits. One time I chased a squirrel up a tree and then it fell out of the tree and almost hit me in the head! It scared me and I didn't know what to do! I can't believe the squirrel taunted me like that. One day, I will catch one and show it who's boss. Oh! When there is a doggie or a kitty cat on the TV-thing I run at the TV-thing and bark! How do those animals get in my house without me knowing?!

Where is your favorite place to go?

Well anytime I can get in the car I'm happy. I don't like to be home alone, but my favorite place to go is the lake in Vermont! I love the water! I would play in the water all day and all night if mommy and daddy would let me. I like it so much that when mommy and daddy paddle away in the kayaks I try to follow them. They think I'll get tired so people have to keep me inside, even though I know I'm strong. There are lots of new animals for me to chase at the lake. The chipmunks make weird high-pitched chirps and whenever I hear it I go crazy and run all over the place looking for them! I almost caught one once, but it went under the house.

What's your favorite toy?

That's easy! My frisbee! I love for mommy and daddy to throw it for me. I almost always catch it in my mouth.
Sometimes mommy and daddy think that I could put on a great show, but I would get distracted too easily by other people and doggies. My favorite toy is also anything that another dog wants. When I go to the dog park I like to take a toy from another dog and play keep away. If nobody wants it then I go take another toy from another dog. I don't like to share my toys with other doggies, but I don't mind sharing with people. Mommy and daddy have to search for indestructible toys for me because I like to destroy the ones that are soft. I like to pretend that they are the rabbits and squirrels that run in the backyard and floss with them.

Finally, what's your favorite painting of mommy's?

Mommy has done a lot of paintings of me so it's hard to choose. She even did a painting of me to give to daddy when he married mommy! He liked it a lot and it is hanging in our living room. If I had to choose one, the painting of me almost asleep (there on the left) is my favorite. It looks exactly like me! Lots of people have told mommy that her paintings look like photographs, and that when they go to her Etsy shop they think she does photography at first. I wish I could meet all the doggies that she paints. They look like a lot of fun. I would also like to meet the kitties, because they look so tasty, but I don't think mommy and daddy will let me do that.

And now you know a little bit more about Kasey Jones! If you'd like to meet her she can be found on occasion at the Carolina Pines Dog Park, or walking around Lake Pine in Apex. She will be at Pullen Park on October 12th to be around children and to help teach mommy and daddy how to act with her around kids. She will not be giving out autographs, but there will be a photo op.

Abstract Experiment

I've decided to venture into previously uncharted territory, well, uncharted territory for Allover Art that is. Aside from a few miniature abstract paintings, I haven't done anything major on the abstract front. I always thought I could but I had never really tried. However, a few days ago inspiration struck and I decided to go with it.

This was the result! It's an 8x10 oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas with staple-free edges to allow for immediate frame-free hanging. Please let me know what you think! I'm curious. :)

And in case YOU'RE curious about where to find this painting, it's available in my Etsy shop. Feel free to poke around in there. I have a lot of different items. Christmas will be here before you know it... ;)

Allover Art Is Featured In Another Blog!

Allover Art has been featured in another blog! I guess my attempts at making my Etsy shop and my work more visible are working. :) This week fellow Etsian NaturalAmber is featuring me in her blog, NaturalAmber's Jewelry Corner, in a post titled "My Top 10 Etsy Picks, 9/21/2008 - Holiday Special." That's her work to the left. Here's what she had to say:

1. AllOverArt. If you love oil paintings or have a loved one you are buying a present for who does, then AllOverArt is a must see shop and a browse shop for you. What is really special about her shop is she does custom paintings as well (keep in mind with the holidays you want to buy early since her studio gets busy!). How special would it be to have a custom picture of the family wrapped and waiting to be opened under the Christmas tree? Please take a peek in AllOverArt’s store, you will see why I absolutely love the work in it! Please see this stunning oil painting she created.

Please visit her blog to read the entire post. The other nine featured Etsy shops do fantastic work as well. Also, don't forget to visit NaturalAmber's Etsy shop! The photo of the fantastic orange and blue bangle is her work.

Thank you NaturalAmber for featuring me in your blog! I am honored. :)

Let The Voting Commence!

The NCTriangle Street Team's Challenge #2 voting has begun! A few days ago I posted about the the challenge and it's theme "School Colors". The rules for the challenge are on the NCTriangle Team's blog. For more details, here's the link to my previous post about the challenge. As you may recall my entry was a painting of Kasey wearing a Miami orange tie, with a Miami green background. If I had painted her with the school colors of MY choosing, Matt might have burned the painting and danced around the flames chanting nonsensical words. I decided to take the easy route and make Matt happy. ;)

Anyway, voting has commensed over on the NCTriangle Team blog. Click here to vote. There's a voting section on the right-hand side. Of course, I could never tell you who to vote for...

And while you are visiting the NCTriangle Team blog, take advantage of the first giveaway. Just click on the red and white "NCTriangle Giveaway this week" button with the Cardinal on it. You could win some pretty unique handmade items!

And on another note, my Etsy shop is being featured on a fellow Etsian's blog, Leilanibowtiki's blog!
Check out her blog, Kat's Life. Also, don't forget to pay a visit to her shop on Etsy. Thanks Leilanibowtiki!

A Twist on the Wedding Guest Book

Brides these days are increasingly searching for ways to add their own personal touch to their wedding day. More and more brides are straying from more traditional details and creating ways to make their wedding stand out from other weddings; making it a day that both guests and the bride and groom will never forget.

One of the numerous details that can not be forgotten on your wedding day is the inclusion of a guest book. Are you getting married and looking for a unique way to remember your guests? Instead of buying a guest book that you'll pack away after the wedding and never look at again, why not buy a "guest book" that functions as a work of art and can be displayed in your home?

I can create a custom oil or acrylic painting on canvas that will be set in a large bright white mat. Your guests can sign the mat, and then after the wedding all you have to do is frame it. The painting can be whatever you want; whether you're looking for a painting of your wedding site or an abstract color scheme! Are you having a destination wedding and getting married at sunset? I could create a sunset painting for you. Would you rather have a painting of the flowers you've chosen, or an abstract painting that incorporates your color scheme, logo, names, and wedding date? Whatever you want I can create it for you.

I have a listing on Etsy which is for a custom 8x10 oil or acrylic painting on canvas set in a bright white 16x20 mat, ready to be framed. The portrait style mat has a double thick, same-color bevel and features a dramatic, off-center opening that draws attention to the piece.

I am happy to do other sizes as well, depending on your guest count. I am creating two of these "guest books" for two weddings coming up this Spring. One is for my friend and former coworker Amber who is getting married at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. The other is for my sister Sara who will be tying the knot at Edenton Street UMC in downtown Raleigh. I am very excited for both of them, and will post pictures of the final product once I am finished.

I am thrilled about my Custom Wedding Guest Book Paintings, and honored to be able to create something so special for someone on such an important day. These guest books are the perfect way to help make your wedding uniquely you.

Who Doesn't Like Free Stuff?

In case you missed it being mentioned in previous posts, the NCTriangle Team is a group of very talented individuals who all have shops on Etsy, and that I am a member of. Over the next few months, the Team blog will feature talented sellers from the NCTriangle Team. Each featured seller has donated an item that will be included in the team giveaway. That's right, you could be the winner of some fantastic goods from a talented local Etsy seller!

This month's giveaway features Start to Finish Supplies, which is a great shop to find supplies for your craft. Start To Finish features cover button supplies, packaging and jewelry supplies along with gifts, office sets and hair accessories. If you have not seen her shop, this is a great time to check it out! Here are more details on the giveaway, courtesy of the NCTriangle Team blog.

Prize: Your Choice of One (1) Office Set (a $10 value!) or $10 worth of supplies (your choice!)

Who Can Enter: Anyone! US and International entrants are welcome.

Deadline: The give away runs from Tuesday, Sept. 16th to Monday, Sept 22nd at Noon. The winner will be announced here (on the NCTriangle Team blog) on Tuesday, Sept 23nd.

How to Enter: Visit Start To Finish's Etsy shop. Go to the "Gifts" section of the shop. Pick out your favorite item. Come back to the NCTriangle Team blog post titled "Shop Give Away: Start To Finish" and leave a comment with your favorite gift. Include your email address in your comment.

Eager to win? Earn up to 2 extra entries! Here's how:

1. Publish a post on your blog about this give away

2. Make a purchase from Start To Finish!

Leave a comment to let us know that you earned an extra entry. Remember to leave the link to your blog.

Fine Print:

- Your comment must contain your email address

- Contest winner will be chosen by random drawing

- The winner will be contacted by email. If the winner does not respond within 3 days then a second winner will be chosen.

- NCTriangle Street Team members can participate!

Good luck to everyone! :)

Allover Art Now Has Prints!

After much debating and research, I have decided to expand Allover Art's horizons. By that I mean I want to be able to offer more than original oil paintings. In addition to the custom work that I do and the original paintings I have for sale, I can now offer fine art prints of some of my work! I did a lot of research and contacted several different fine art printers in the area, and came to the conclusion that Tom Leonard of Creek Fine Art was the perfect match for me.

Creek Fine Art is located in Holly Springs, and Tom is great at what he does. I took two of my paintings to him and he was able to reproduce them to look EXACTLY like the painting. The prints turned out perfectly. Now, I am able to sell detailed prints in my Etsy shop for a much more affordable price, as well as have prints to sell at fairs and other events. Tom can create prints on durable, waterproof fine art paper, as well as prints on canvas over stretcher bars. The quality of these prints amaze me. I am pleased to be able to offer some of my work at a lower price.

I also asked Tom to create some ACEO prints for me. ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". These cards have one main rule - they are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches - the size of a trading card. Artists worldwide are creating and selling these little cards of different subjects and in different mediums. ACEOs are an extremely collectible form of pocket art, and make for a very unique stocking stuffer! I'm selling these for $4.50 per print, and each one comes in a clear hard plastic top-loading case for protection. The amount of detail in these tiny prints is astounding, and they truly are little works of art.

Stay tuned into my Etsy shop to see what original works I reproduce as prints. I will continue to have more of my work available in this more affordable medium.

NCTriangle Street Team

Allover Art has had a shop on Etsy for a little over a week now. I'm still trying to navigate the ins and outs of the site and how to make sales. In the meantime, I came across a talented group of people called the NCTriangle Street Team. These creative people have all set up shop on Etsy, and they are all local to the Triangle area. Their shops include a wide variety of handmade goods including accessories, art and photography, cards and stationary, ceramics and glass, housewares and gifts, as well as jewelery. For those beginning their Christmas shopping, and those who want to shop for no reason in particular, you'll want to check the team out. Visit the NCTriangle Street Team blog and there you will find links to all our shops.

One of the great and fun aspects of being part of this team is that we do a monthly themed challenge. This month's challenge is "School Colors". I chose to represent the University of Miami in a 6x6 oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas. There's my entry to the left! You're welcome, Matt. ;)

Dog Day in the Park

This Saturday from 10am-2pm the Dog Day in the Park will be held at Womble Park in Holly Springs. I will have a booth set up for Allover Art, and there will be many other dog-related businesses there like Best Paw Forward and Marley's Cat Tales. The Holly Springs K9 Unit will also be there providing some entertainment.

I will have a raffle for everyone to enter for one custom 8x10 oil paint pet portrait on gallery wrapped canvas. Hope to see you out there!

Rocky and the Rainbow Bridge

Recently I had the honor of memorializing Rocky, Dan's wife's beloved dog who is no longer with them, in a 16x20 oil painting on canvas. Dan commissioned me to create this special gift for his wife for Christmas. Dan expressed to me that there was a poem titled the Rainbow Bridge that he wanted to incorporate in the portrait. The poem is about what happens to the four-legged members of our family once they have passed on.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

-Author Unknown

I was honored to paint Rocky's portrait while incorporating the Rainbow Bridge. The photo that Dan gave me to work from is above at the beginning of the post. Thank you, Dan, for letting me be a part of this special gift. Here's the finished portrait.

Allover Art is on Etsy.com!

Etsy.com is "your place to buy and sell all things handmade." I came across this website at the recommendation of a friend, and find myself browsing the many shops for longer than I plan to. There are so many unique and interesting things on Etsy that I'm sure I will doing some Christmas shopping there.

Anyway, since my paintings are handmade, I realized that I could set up shop for Allover Art on Etsy.


In my Etsy shop you can commission me for a Custom Pet Portrait or a Custom Landscape Painting just as you have always been able to, however, now you can also browse original works that were not commissioned and are available for purchase.


I have numerous miniature paintings, some abstract, as well as some larger pieces. Some works are on gallery wrapped canvas, while others are on canvas that has been matted. I will continue to update my shop, so please feel free to check it out every couple of days. Christmas will be here before you know it... ;)