The Open House Holiday Market hosted by my friends Kar Keat Chong and Yen Chee studio was a delightful success.
Here’s a 2-minute video made by the talented Gary Bingner showcasing the event:
It was great to see them again and to meet the other artists showing their work. They gave me a really nice space to set up, and I appreciated that more than they know.
I was surprised by how busy I ended up being. I had an online sign-up sheet before the event, and only one person scheduled a dog portrait session. But as more visitors came through, more people asked if I could draw their pets from photos—which I’m always happy to do.
I don’t mind working from photos at all. My process usually starts with taking reference shots of live subjects so I can block in the composition.
Photos naturally flatten things out, which is perfect for mapping the pose. But when it comes to details—the fur, the eyes, the nose—nothing compares to observing the live subject.
I’m glad I had the stamina to draw for nearly six straight hours. Maybe it was adrenaline, but I genuinely enjoyed talking with folks about their furry companions. One big thing this event gave me was a boost in confidence. I had been a little anxious in the days leading up to it, unsure if I could pull this off on my own. The experience taught me to relax, trust my hand, and trust what I’ve practiced.
A few things I want to improve next time:
- Track my drawing time. I completed 13 portraits in six hours—about 27 minutes each. I think there’s room to speed up a bit, especially during the initial penciling stage. I’ll start bringing a timer to keep myself aware of my pace.
- Improve my signage. I want to include clearer information on pricing, how to send photos, payment options, and other basics. I ended up jotting these down by hand, and it would look more professional printed.
- Add a physical sign-up sheet. The online version didn’t get much traction. Having one on the table will make things easier to manage and help me give better time estimates
- Create a small catalog of pet portraits. Having examples of my style right on the table would help people visualize what they’ll get. I’ve been better about photographing my work, so I can finally start putting a catalog together.
- Packaging. I forgot to bring bags for finished drawings. Good thing the hosts had some to spare.
- Account for drying time. Since I work with watercolor, the finished pieces can be quite wet. I need to build drying time into my estimates and make sure customers know what to expect before they take the art home.
- Bring the right paper. I ran out of my favorite Fabriano 25% cotton paper and had to switch to standard watercolor stock. I could feel the difference immediately and had to adjust how I painted. Next time, I need to double-check my supplies so I’m working on the paper I trust.
Overall, I’m grateful for the kindness, enthusiasm, and support I felt throughout the day. Sharing that space with friends, meeting new people, and drawing their beloved pets reminded me why I love doing this. I left the event tired but genuinely uplifted—and incredibly thankful for everyone who stopped by, talked with me, and trusted me with their portraits.
