Fun, new Portuguese Water Dog graphic from Portuguese Artist, Belinha Fernandes, is not technically a Christmas card image. But, the colors, derived from the Portuguese flag, she uses in this postcard have a Christmas-y feel. I think they would be great to send or give to the Portie lover in your life this season.
Note the Portie's coat is made out of the letters H2O:
Visit Belinha's store to see the image on more products including mugs, T-shirts, bags, magnets, and more.
It's been an exciting week to be a dog artist and blogger. On Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama announced he had narrowed his choice for First Dog down to two breeds, the Labradoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog. Actually, he said "Hound" which is sweet because it shows how much he is NOT a dog person yet, and we will all get to watch his transition. With this announcement, the dog world went crazy. And I went a little nuts too, because I at that very moment I was working on a commissioned collage of a Portie named Willy.
I first met Willy and his mom, Buffy Nicolas of Virginia, via email back in August. Buffy was very excited about Barack Obama's campaign. She liked his politics, but even more, she liked the idea that he had promised his girls a dog when the campaign was over. She was determined to get him elected and see a Portuguese Water Dog in the White House.
I thought it was a long shot. A Portie was not even on AKC's short list of recommended breeds. And, to be totally honest, I had never heard of a PWD. But, I loved the adorable photo Lee Anderson had taken of Willy, and I thought if I can help the Porties for Obama folks elect Barack Obama as our next president by posting Willy on my blog I am happy to do it.
Cut to, this Fall when Buffy commissioned me to do an Obama collage of Willy. She graciously gave me time to work on it after the holiday rush. She asked if she could have it by the Inauguration. Perfect, I thought. That will give me a nice image to put on my blogs that day (I write The Obama Dog Blog too). Little did I know that I would be swept up into the Portie presidential frenzy. With apologies to the Labradoodles for Obama people, I now feel like an honorary member of Team Portie. And, after spending so much time working with darling Willy and his passionate mom, I can't help rooting for them. Go Porties!
Here are some Portie for Obama products from my store:
Porties for Obama Greeting Cards
This one would look great on Michelle:
Something for the girls is in the works, actually, another Willy collage. Thank you, Buffy.
To see all the Porties for Obama items in my store click here. Labradoodle fans, feel free to contact me to commission art for your dogs. Yes, I can be bought.
I know a lot of artists read this blog, and becoming a "corporate" artist may not be for everyone, but it's inspiring to see dog art going mainstream and still looking good.
(Note: the images became a little blurry when enlarged. Visit Ballard Design to get a clearer picture. Also be aware that prints are available online only.)
Basset Hound
Portuguese Water Dog
Cairn Terrier
Willy, founder of Porties for Obama, by Lee Anderson
Tonight Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic Party's nomination for President. That means one thing; his girls, Malia and Sasha, are one step closer to being dog owners. That was the deal. He could run for President. And win or lose, they could get a dog.
What's missing from this picture?
There has been rampant campaigning throughout the dog world as to which dog the Obamas should chose. The AKC recommended five breeds based on the family's hypoallergenic needs, with the Poodle being voted as the number one canine candidate for them.
Best Friends Animal Rescue has circulated a petition for the (hopefully) first family to choose a shelter dog.
And then there is Porties for Obama, spearheaded by Willy (above) and his mom Buffy Nicolas of Alexandria, VA, a fundraising effort to see Senator Obama elected and choose a Portuguese Water Dog as first dog.
Ted Kennedy and his Portie, Splash. Globe Photo / Chris Hartlove.
A political Portie would follow in the tradition of Senator Ted Kennedy's PWD named Splash who not only follows him around Capitol Hill, but also wrote a children's book about politics called My Senator and Me
Splash was also featured along with the Kennedys' other Portie named Sunny in the tribute video at the Democratic convention on Monday night.
I confess, when I saw the video my first reaction was worry that the dogs were out on the sailboat without life jackets. I didn't realize they were Portuguese *Water* Dogs, originally bred to herd fish and swim between boats off the coast of Portugal.
We'll see if Senator Obama follows in the Massachusetts's Senator's footsteps. Or if he lets the girls decide. My instincts tell me, they might pick something smaller and cuddlier like the Bichon Frise, also on the AKC list. But if they're looking for a Portie, also a cute dog in a super sporty way, they should definitely contact Willy and Buffy, Obama's and Portuguese Water Dogs' biggest fans.
To donate to Porties for Obama send a check made out to "Obama for America" to:
Willy Nicolas
11676 Mediterranean Ct.
Reston, Va. 20190
Also, Buffy and Willy have organized a Portie Cruise tonight, August 28, 2008, 7pm leaving from the dock in Olde Towne Alexandria. Tickets are $14. Dogs are free. All all welcome regardless of political persuasion. If you're in the area contact Buffy for more information.
P.S. Here is some Portie gear that would be perfect for the next cruise.
