It's Black Friday! Who feels like shopping? I've got some awesome deals on my websites today only.

First on Zazzle: All of your favorite breed artwork on sale. Get 50% off cards and stickers and 40% off mugs and more with coupon code ZAZBLKFRIDAY http://www.zazzle.com/endlesssumnersar
Discounts also available for clothing, accessories office products and more. Check it out today. 

And then today only on http://KateSumners.com get FREE SHIPPING on any artwork, any size, shipped anywhere in the world! Includes framed or not framed artwork prints of all types on all materials. This offer expires at midnight (New York time) on Friday, November 27th.   You don't need any special discount code.   Just place your order before the deadline, and shipping will be free! Happy shopping!

This year I'll have my pet portrait booth set up at Strut Your Mutt in Kanab Utah this Saturday 9/19/2015! Strut Your Mutt is a series of huge events - with a community dog walk, 5K run, and even a dog-themed festival - hosted by Best Friends Animal Society in cities across America.  People like me "strut” at the event to raise money either for Best Friends Animal Society or for a local animal welfare group. I'm on team Page Animal Adoption Agency to support our local Page, Arizona shelter. 

It’s a lot of fun, but here’s really why I’m participating. Every day, more than 9,000 pets are killed in America's shelters simply because they don't have homes. Each one could have been someone’s furry buddy, if given a proper chance. The money raised through Strut Your Mutt funds adoption programs, spay/neuter services and more.  

Best Friends and the Strut Your Mutt participating groups (collectively called the No More Homeless Pets Network) know these programs will save all of those homeless pets from being killed in shelters; they just need the help of people like you and me.  

And I need your help to reach my fundraising goal. Can I count on your donation? It’s tax-deductible for you, and the great thing is each participating organization keeps all the money it raises (after transaction fees).

Together, we can Save Them All®.

Thank you for your support!

Throw on some comfy shoes, leash up your dog, and join us, once again, for Best Friends Animal Society's 3rd Annual Strut Your Mutt, presented by BOBS from Skechers, in Kanab. Best Friends staff, 

Who: Anyone with the swag to strut for homeless pets in Kanab or around the nation

What: A leisurely fundraising dog walk followed by a doggie-themed festival that includes pet contests, photos, doggie goodies, fun activities for you and your furry friend, food, refreshments and more

Where: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah

When: Saturday, September 19, 2015
Registration 11 AM; Walk 12:00 PM; Festival Ends 3 PM

Why: To raise money for your favorite local animal welfare group (any of Best Friends' local No More Homeless Pets Network partners) or for Best Friends Animal Society to help Save Them All®

Click here to sign up or make a donation:
Kate's Strut Your Mutt Page

"Who is Artist Kate Sumners?" Video

"Who is Artist Kate Sumners?" Video

Why I am a Pet Portrait Artist

Recently I received this beautiful email. With her permission, I wanted to share it with you. It is the reason I am a pet portrait artist. 

Charcoal drawing in very loving memory, Bruno the Greyhound

Dear Kate,  

My friend, Sophie commissioned a portrait of my greyhound Bruno, here in the UK, a few weeks ago. Sadly, my beautiful boy died last Tuesday. However, today, your parcel arrived. Ten minutes later, a second parcel arrived : Bruno's ashes. When I opened your parcel and Bruno's beautiful eyes stared back at me, more than they do in any photograph, I knew he had come home. Your portrait means more to me that his ashes, and is already a huge comfort to me. Such stunning artistry! I have already had several people asking for your details, after seeing the portrait on Facebook. 

Many many thanks for seeing beyond the photos and into Bruno's soul, then somehow capturing it on paper.

Very best wishes, 

Sally

Charcoal Pet Portrait Artist Kate Sumners

Here is a little Youtube video I made of some of the charcoal pet portraits I've done between 2011 and now with a brief intro from me and my dog Scout. Is your pet on there? Share it!

As a portrait artist, pricing drawings can be so subjective. Sometimes people are shocked at how little I charge. Other times, they wonder how I could charge so much when it "can't take me THAT long to draw or paint a portrait." I just found this anecdote on weddingportraitphotographer.com and had to share it.

 Legend has it that Pablo Picasso was sketching in the park when a bold woman approached him. “It’s you — Picasso, the great artist! Oh, you must sketch my portrait! I insist.” 

 So Picasso agreed to sketch her. After studying her for a moment, he used a single pencil stroke to create her portrait. He handed the woman his work of art. 

 “It’s perfect!” she gushed. “You managed to capture my essence with one stroke, in one moment. Thank you! How much do I owe you?” 

 “Five thousand dollars,” the artist replied.

“B-b-but, what?” the woman sputtered. “How could you want so much money for this picture? It only took you a second to draw it!” 

 To which Picasso responded, “Madame, it took me my entire life.” -Ellen Rohr