Summer 2012 photo competition.

I enjoyed the spring 2012 photo contest so much that I've decided to do another!
The rules are very simple. All you have to do is upload up to two pictures of your ferrets with a 'SUMMER theme' to the Ferret Dook Facebook page before the 1st September, labelling them as 'summer photo comp' or similar with the ferret's name. I will transfer them to the competition album to be judged after the closing date. (Photographs that are not deemed as fitting the competition theme will sadly not be included in the contest so please think carefully before uploading!)
As with the last contest this is just for FUN-the winner and two runners up will be featured here on the Ferret Dook blog, and the winning photograph will also be used as the Facebook page's cover photograph for a period of time subject to the owner's consent.
Please note that there is no prize for the winners of this contest, as it's just a little bit of fun, but I'm hoping to have some more serious competitions in the future!

Here's what I'm looking for....

• Reasonably good quality photographs (i.e no small specks in the distance that are supposed to be ferrets!)
• Photographs matching the 'Summer' theme.
• Photographs focusing solely on the ferrets. Props can be used as well as natural surroundings, e.g flowers, grass etc but please no humans or other animals in the shot!
• Creativity! Now we have some glorious summer weather (in the UK at least) there's no excuse not to take your fuzzies outside in the cooler evenings and let your creativity flow!

The competition closes on the 1st September at 12 noon (UK time) and I will announce the winner on my blog and the Facebook page at a later date. To go straight to the Ferret Dook Facebook page please click here. 

Good luck! I can't wait to see your entries!

Clara's Art Studio: Fine artist and Illustrator

I'm absolutely in LOVE with Clara's work at the moment, particularly her ferret portraits and illustrations. Clara is a Cuban born artist, who drew her first picture at the age of three while visiting her Uncle's farm. She took courses in art while training to become a lab tech, but is now committed to her artwork. Now based in New Jersey, Clara takes commissions, often turning someone's much loved pet(s) into works of art.
Her love of ferrets began in 1987 when introduced to one by her daughter. She became deeply involved with  ferret rescue and the ferret community. She now has an extensive portfolio of ferret artwork, which is simply a delight to view. She uses various mediums and often uses mixed media in her work. A few of the mediums used are watercolours, acrylic, coloured pencils and graphite. Clara doesn't limit herself to paper either, wood and even metal mailboxes make an appearance in her portfolio!
Believe me when I say that picking just a few favourites is extremely difficult, but nevertheless here are a few of my favourite works by Clara. I hope you're sitting down as these just amaze me every time I look at them!

If ferrets could fly-Watercolour

Graphite

If ferrets were free-Coloured pencil on paper

Acrylic ferrets on wooden plaque

Ferret wizard-Acrylics on wood.

These pictures just take my breath away! I wish that I had even half the skill that Clara possesses. Since I don't I'm commissioning her to do a portrait of Alfie, Shiro and Lola, I'm thinking about the ferrets on wooden plaque design pictured above. You can also get Clara to create an everlasting tribute to your beloved pets or buy some of her beautiful greetings cards by contacting her via her website clarasartstudio.com or her Facebook page. She paints other animals too, not just ferrets, as well as humans and still life. I'm still in awe at the moment! I'll let you all see my commissioned piece once it's all completed!