Let's Create A Portrait of Your Beloved Pet Together!

I love to create custom pet portraits. It gives me a sense of collaborating with a customer.

Recently I worked with a customer to create a portrait of her friend's pet dog recently passed away.

The customer wanted to give the portrait as a gift for her best friend in mourning.

She found me online through one of my prints she had gotten from her friend as a gift.

I felt very honored to be chosen by her to create a pet portrait for her special friend.

After receiving many photos and hearing memorable stories of the pet dog from her, I drew several sketches for her to choose from.

After a sketch was selected, I started to create the portrait. In the meantime, we exchanged messages to update my progress.

Because the email system had caused some undelivered email troubles between us, we communicated by texiting on the phone.

I enjoyed communicating on text much more than on email because it felt more timely and personal that way.

I also tried video shooting with my phone to show the portrait making process later. With the new iPhone holder I got, it made filming so much easier than using a camcorder.

2 weeks and a half later, the portrait was delivered to her friend. The customer texted me a sweet message telling me how much her friend liked it.

It is always such a fantastic experience being able to create an art with my customer.


Rest in peace, Snuggles.

New YouTube Video: Newspaper Bulldog - How It Was Made

New video was just posted on YouTube today. 

This less than 3 minutes video shows almost 5-hour making process of the latest work 'Red English Bulldog In Car', which is going to be available in art print soon. 

This time the video was taken with my iPhone instead of my camcorder.

And it helped me film and edit way quicker than using a camcorder since the entire process was done on the iPhone with editing Apps such as iMovie etc. 

Because I found this easy way, I think I am going to post new videos more often from now on :)

Whimsical Beach Themed Dog Arts in Bright Pop Colors

After finishing total 11 pieces of the new artwork, I realized that these arts fully show who I am. When I started to create this new collection "Beach Dogs", all the elements I love surged through my mind: dogs, bright boho colors, and playfulness.

I had been avoiding using the part of color pieces filled with advertising letters or mixed patterns in the past. But when I saw these pieces in creative point of view, it opened up a new door for me to express more humor in my artwork. In addition, I decided to use more bright colors and article part of newspapers.

As results, these new pieces were born.

Beach Dog collection, Series 1: "Dog On Paddle Board"

Yellow Labrador On Paddle Board

Chocolate Labrador On Paddle Board

Black Labrador On Paddle Board

Golden Retriever On Paddle Board

Beach Dog collection, Series 2: "Dog At Beach" - Some fun words can be found on the umbrella of each piece ;)

White French Bulldog At Beach 

Black French Bulldog At Beach

Brindle French Bulldog At Beach

Cream French Bulldog At Beach

Fawn French Bulldog At Beach

Fawn Pied French Bulldog At Beach

Black And White Pied French Bulldog At Beach

These 11 pieces are currently available ONLY through this link in print matted to 14" x 11" as pre-order special for USD30 and free shipping within USA / flat shipping USD12 outside of USA till the end of April 23, 2016 PST. After the date, the price will be set to USD35 and will be listed on my website & Etsy shop.

Hope you like them!

First Time Original Artwork Listing

After 3 years of only offering reproductions of my artwork, I decided to also offer original artwork aside from ACEO originals and custom pet portraits.

The originals will be posted both on my official website "Originals" section and my Etsy shop "Originals & ACEOs" section. I am thinking of posting them little by little.

So the very first one posted is...
 "Snow Monkey And Sunrise", celebrating the Chinese zodiac sign of this year, Monkey.

The original is de-acidify sprayed and UV coated to extend the longevity.

Framing option is made available on my website (sorry, currently only for USA or Canada customers).

"Snow Monkey And Sunrise", Size 5" x 7".

Framing by Framebridge.com

USD35 Gift Card Giveaway Feature on All Things Paper!

I am featured on All Things Paper Giveaway Week. Check out All Things Paper blog below if anybody would like to join the contest! Hurry, it ends on Dec. 11, 2015!

All Things Paper: Newspaper Collage Art by Keiko Suzuki of Bless Hue...: Today wraps up lucky-seven weeks of paper themed giveaways that I hope have delighted, surprised and inspired you. I'm always on the l...

And on Instagram @allthingspaper ▽

Here we are already, the last of my lucky-seven giveaway weeks! 🎁💫🎉 Paper artist Keiko Suzuki creates pet portraits and subtlety beautiful animal and nature scenes from earth-friendly materials. To enter for a chance to win a $35 gift card to spend at Keiko's website, keikosuzukiart.com or in her Etsy shop, Bless Hue, simply like this pic and follow @blesshue and @allthingspaper. No follow = no entry. 👌🌟👏 You may leave a comment on the blog as an extra entry (link in bio). This worldwide 🌎🌍🌏 #giveaway ends on Friday, Dec 11. One winner will be drawn at random and announced here and on the blog. Good luck! 🎉👏🌲 Per Instagram's rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants are confirming they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram's terms of use.

A photo posted by Ann Martin (@allthingspaper) on Dec 7, 2015 at 8:22am PST

Free Printable Holiday Greetings for All Shoppers or Newsletter Subscribers! (Nov.27 - Dec.25, 2015)

'Tis the season!

I am giving away a free printable holiday greetings to all customers who shopped at my official website or Etsy shop, or to new newsletter subscribers during the period between November 27th and December 25th, 2015. 

It is made to fit in the standard US greeting card size, 5 in. x 7 in.

Happy Holiday Season!

Framebridge x Bless Hue - Collaboration with Framing Expert Team!

I am super excited to announce that beautiful framing option is now available for the Giclee prints and the custom pet portraits orders for customers in the US and Canada at my website, in collaborating with Framebridge.com!

Framebridge offers professional framing service with variety of gorgeous frames for affordable prices.

Within their number of attractive selections, I especially love their bamboo-shaped frames that come in gold or black. They complement most of my Japanese influenced artwork.

Frame "Mandalay" by Framebridge.com  +

Giclee Print "White Eye And Japanese Plum Tree" 

Frame "Mandalay" by Framebridge.com  +  Giclee Print "Goldfish"

Frame "Bali" by Framebridge.com +  Giclee Print "Cat On Pine Tree"

Frame "Bali" by Framebridge.com +  Giclee Print "Camellia".

When you visit my official website, all of the Giclee prints have options to choose frames.

Once an order for a framed Giclee print was placed, I will send the Giclee print to Framebridge, and they will frame and deliver it to you.

In case of custom pet portrait orders, I will personally e-mail the framing sample images with final piece to select if you wish it to be framed.

For the customers who would rather like to think about framing after receiving the artwork, I have a special USD10 discount code given by Framebridge (First time only). Please enter the code BLESSHUE10 upon ordering at Framebridge.com.

What's more fantastic is that Framebridge covers shipping charge.

Visit KeikoSuzukiArt.com for more pieces with framing samples!

Travel Journal 2: Istanbul, Turkey.

Finally completed with the journal part 2 - Istanbul, Turkey.

Historic beauty, tasty cuisines, and the way they respect animals.... I really enjoyed the stay.

Details can be found in the journal.

Hope you will enjoy it!

Travel Journal 1: Barcelona, Spain

My husband and I stayed in Barcelona, Spain, and Istanbul, Turkey from September 23 to October 14, 2015 on vacation.

It was our first time to visit European countries, and we really had a great vacation in both countries. 

I finally put together my travel journal of the 9 (and a half) days experience in Barcelona to share with a cool app, Bonjournal.

Please click on the bottom image to go to the journal. Hope you will enjoy it!

 

Next will be about Istanbul, Turkey :)

Notice: My Website keikosuzukiart.com is Down for Update

My website, keikosuzukiart.com is down since Jun. 26th, 2015 for update. The email keiko@keikosuzukiart.com and info@keikosuzukiart.com are also unavailable till the completion of the website. Please contact me at blesshue@gmail.com for any inquiries.

I am sorry about the inconvenience.

The new website is expected to be up by Jul. 10th, 2015.

The 2nd "How It Was Made" Video is Now on YouTube!

After the last post on YouTube about a year ago, I finally made the 2nd YouTube and posted it today.

This time I was succeeded in making it shorter, in 2 min. 24 sec.

The theme is fluffy Persian cat.

Hope you will enjoy it!

Live Chat With Me On My Official Website

I enjoy communicating with visitors on my SNS pages and on my Etsy shop. It is fun and helpful for me to hear their feedbacks and desires to improve my business. I respond to them when I read them, so there is some time lag. 

And, so that I can timely communicate with them,  I added a live chat box on my official website. I usually keep myself available for the online chat between 11 pm and 4 pm PST on weekdays. Please feel free to visit and have a chat with me through the live chat box located on the bottom right on the official website. 

I am looking forward to talking with you! 

 

Finally. Our 3 Years Worth of Used PUR® Filters Will be Recycled!

               

When the end of year comes, I thoroughly clean my house as a Japanese custom to make a fresh start on a new year. I am writing this blog in the middle of the cleaning because I am so excited that I found my 3-year worth stack of the used PUR® filters can finally be recycled. My long waiting finally paid off!            

The company who recycle the filters is TerraCycle®. They also recycle other PUR® items. You can check out the program here. As a recycling enthusiast, I instantly became a fan of TerraCycle® when I saw many different items they recycle. 

Now I've got four 2 - 3 lbs. boxes to send them. They even cover shipping cost for you. Oh I am so happy and thankful for TerraCycle. 

All right. I am going to go back to cleaning. 

Wishing you all a happy new year!!!

Care for a Calendar for 2015? Here is a Free Printable for You!

Are you enjoying the festive mood in this time of season? Some of you must be having a hectic time on this last weekend before X'mas. 

If you are still looking for a stocking stuffer, how about this free printable yearly calendar with next year's chinese zodiac, the Sheep? The calendar is set to fit in the standard US Letter size, 8.5" x 11" (about 21.6 cm x 28 cm). 

This printable is offered thru January 31, 2015. Please visit my official site for more details. 

Wishing you a happy holiday season!

25 % Savings on All Prints! Valid through Dec. 1, 2014

Enjoy the special saving on this holiday season. The coupon code can be applicable at my official site and Etsy shop!　　

Featured on Japanstore.jp Online Magazine!

 I am happy to share that I am a featured interviewee on Japanstore.jp online magazine article today! They are a Japanese & English bilingual web store based in Tokyo, who introduces the best crafts of Japan. I am proud to be included in the line of fantastic Japanese artists as an interviewee.

Bless Hue 2015 Calendar

2015 Calendar is now available on Bless Hue Zazzle shop. The delightful seasonal arts will celebrate coming of each month with you all year around! Click here now to preview inside.

Calendar 2015 by Bless Hue, Whimsical Collage Art by BlessHue

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger A. Caras.

I love animals. I tend to become a bit more crazy especially when it comes to dogs. I had a dog in our family who made my life whole. He did not speak our language, but he would entertain us and cheer us up in his own way. He passed away over a decade ago but all good memories come back when I think of him. Thanks to the experiences with him, I learned to respect all living beings. 

It makes me feel joyful when I see happy animals with caring owners. 

Recently I released two dog-themed collections with my feelings of gratitude to dogs for being great friends to us, and to people who take good care of their furry friends. 

Please come and check out my official website or Etsy shop to browse the newly added collections! 

More will gradually be added. 

New Designs on Society 6

Inspired by some beautiful scenes in the nature, I created three new background designs to add to the Mixed Media collection. These backgrounds are made with my hand-made stencils and the Japanese clay dyes, Bengara, just as the existing Mixed Media collection. 

The new designs are currently available in prints and on variety of the items on Society 6!

August's USD15 Off Specials!

A little late notice but the August USD15 Off specials are "Froggy On Lily Pad" and "Rikimaru".

Both are available on the official website and the Etsy shop.