People ask me this quite often, and the short answer is, it varies. Pet portraits take the longest by far (and are usually the most intricate and stressful) because they HAVE to look like a particular person’s beloved pet. People who commission pet portraits are paying me to paint THEIR pet, not some poodle that […]
I began doing art and jewelry parties for my grandparents and their friends in New Iberia, Louisiana about 7 years ago. My grandparents hosted the event in their own home once a year. Since then, that particular audience has grown exponentially, and the show is now held at a gallery each November. However, I also […]
I’ve recently embarked on a partnership with the Humane Society of Louisiana where donors are awarded a piece of my art based on how much they donate. The Humane Society focuses on fighting animal cruelty, neglect and mistreatment throughout the entire state. As you would expect, my family has known the head of the Humane […]
Today I want to give you guys a look into my process when creating a watercolor pet portrait. I started painting pet portraits when I was about twelve and had immediate access to clientele through my parents’ veterinary practices. Over the years, as my style evolved and became more refined, I got more and more […]
I’ve been fortunate to meet quite a few celebrities over the past six or eight years, and if you follow me on Facebook, you’ve probably already seen several of the pictures below. People always ask me how I manage to meet the stars, and the truth is, most of the time it’s a matter of […]
It’s a beautiful day here in New Orleans. 75 degrees, full sun and a nice breeze coming off the lake. Fall is quickly approaching, and it’s a nice change from our 97 degree, 100% humidity summer weather. (Not to mention the cold front is keeping the hurricanes away!) Our dogs have an extra spring in […]
My blog this week was supposed to tell you guys about the amazing art teachers I’ve had throughout my career, but the experiences I had with my wheelchair over the weekend flying to Maine and back inspired me to switch it up a bit. Don’t worry, art teachers are soon to come. A couple of […]
This may surprise you, but I paint lying on my right side, stabilizing my left hand on my body. This is actually the position in which I do most daily activities. Because it’s hard on my back and my joints to sit up for a long time,even in my wheelchair, I’ve adapted to doing most […]
I started making handmade jewelry when I was about fourteen. My dad had just had his double lung transplant, and in a weird series of events, reconnected with an old veterinary client of his who was into all kinds of art, including jewelry making. Ellan Vavrick is extremely talented in a number of mediums, including […]
Last year, I was given the opportunity to speak to a group of teachers about the benefits and importance of the inclusion of disabled kids in mainstream schools (school inclusion). By the time I was three years old, my parents started looking into pre-school options for me because I was driving them crazy! I was […]
