Stevelilart Portrait Showcase

Steve Lilly Press Releases

Press cuttings for Stevelilart -

Pet Portraits Now Available from www.2point4pets.co.uk

Introducing Steve Lilly Pet Portraits - Now Available on 2point4pets.co.uk

Steve Lilly (stevelilart)


Artist’s Biography

View Range Here in our Pet Memorial and Remembrance Category


I guess my artistic career began when I was quite young. As a child I used to enter the colouring competitions in local newspapers at a prolific rate, occasionally winning some interesting prizes. The most memorable of which, was been pulled in a dingy round a pool at a fair rate of knots by a dolphin at Dudley Zoo on a freezing cold day. From colouring competitions I moved onto painting album covers onto my friend’s leather jackets (usually for a free night of beer).

A number of sensible jobs followed, whilst employed as an upholsterer working hours were reduced to a four day week. I took the opportunity to enrol on a First Certificate in Graphic Design at Sutton Coldfield College. Passing my final project with a distinction. Encouraged, I then moved onto Matthew Boulton College to study at National and Higher National levels passing both courses with distinctions and receiving the accolade of HNC Final Year Graphic Design Student of the Year award (1997).

As far as subject matter in concerned, it has to be something I have a connection with. Whether it is the comedy shows and horror movies I grew up on, the different genres of music that have had a big influence on my life (and hair styles!), or my life long love of birds and animals.

Although I have outlined my preferred subject matter I also create bespoke commissioned pieces ranging from people, pets, cars, corporate logos, book illustration and even battle ships. A long with limited edition prints and an ever expanding body of greetings cards, both illustrative and photographic.



In my artwork I have tried not only to create a likeness but also to capture the essence of the subject. I have spent many enjoyable hours creating these works and I hope that in my portraits, I have managed to do so.

I work almost exclusively in graphite pencil as it not only suits my style of working but also adds bold dramatic contrasts.

The beauty of a graphite portrait lies in the depth of tone and contrast achievable by using varying grades of pencil and differing pressures of application. I often draw in reverse by lifting out areas with a putty rubber. It is an ideal medium for expressing texture and detail.

My portraits are built up over many hours by blending layers of finely laid pencil. All my pencil work is created on 220g/m acid free heavy weight cartridge paper.

I hope you enjoy my work.



Exhibitions The Hanging Space Gallery, Birmingham Central Library
Comedy Classics
10th December 2007 – 19th January 2008

The Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield
Portfolio selection
14th March 2008 – 24th April 2008

The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham
Comedy Classics
Part of the Birmingham comedy festival 2008
1st October 2008 – 17th October 2008

The Little Cake Shop, Sutton Coldfield
Comedy Classics
27th October 2008– 31st January 2009

Permanent display at Leighswood Publishing, Aldridge

Number of feeds for dogs - guidelines only

Number of feeds guidelines

All dogs are different and may require more food or a greater number of meals than others.

You should read label on your pet food, and here are some tips which will keep you on course:

• Puppies - 5 small meals a day, reduce to 4 at three months of age, then
  3 meals at 8 months

  12 months - 2 or more small meals a day. Even large breeds may be fed better
  this way

  Pregnant dogs - As much as the dog wants to eat as dogs appetitite will
  fluctuate

  Nursing bitches - Require much more food - up to 2 or 4 times their usual
  amount

  Older dogs - 2 meals a day but will probably eat less as their energy levels
  dip

  Suitable pet feeders, pet bowls and waterers here
  
• for all types of pet
  
• 
  

Which Breed, What Weight?

Some very general gudies on the average weight
guidelines for popular dog breeds

Small Breeds

Chihuahua 1.8kg (4 lb)

Pekingese 4kg (9 lb)

Miniatuare Schnauzer 6.8kg (15 lb)

Boston Terrier 8.6 (19lb)

Medium Breeds

Cocker Spaniel 11.3kg (25 lb)

Beagle 11.3kg (25 lb)

Brittany 16kg (35 lb)

Large Breeds

• Siberian Husky 22.7kg (50 lb)

• Airedale Terrier 22.7kg (50 lb)

• Pointer 29.5kg(65 lb)

• Labrador Retriever 34kg (75 lb)

Giant Breeds

• Old English Sheepdog 43kg (95 lb)

• Great Dane 59kg (130 lb)

• St Bernard 75kg (165 lb)

Is Your Dog Overweight?

Is Your Dog Overweight?

Some dogs are naturally heavier-set and carry more fat than others

Some tips to assess whether your dog is overweight:

• Feel your dog's ribs - You should be able to feel them quite easily. A slight amount of fat should be over them but each rib should be distinct

• Look at your dog from above - he should have a definate waist behind the ribs. If the waist is extreme, your dog is too thin. If there is no waist, or even worse, the area between the ribs and hips is wider than the hips or ribs, then your dog is overweight

• Look at your dog from the side - Dogs should have an abdominal tuck; the area behind the ribs should be smaller in diameter then the chest. This can vary a lot between breeds

• Feel the other bony parts of the body - such as the spine, shoulder and hips. Again, you should be able to feel a small amount of fat over these areas

• Check the area near base of tail - there should be a slight layer of fat covering this area and should feel smooth

Always consult your vet with any concerns

Keep fit with your dog in 2009!

Stay happy and healthy with your dog in 2009!

Keep fit with your dog! Much cheaper than the gym and benefits both you and your canine companion.

Top 10 benefits for your dog

1. Helps negative effects of aging such as arthritis and other problems associated with joints, muscles and bones
2. Exercise is an easy way to control weight. A 20 minute walk a day can increase your dog's ability to burn calories.
3. Increasing muscle mass through exercise can raise your dog's metabolic rate so that he continues to burn off calories all the time, even whilst resting!
4. Exercise reduces the incidence of digestive problems and constipation
5. Sufficient exercise helps to reduce or eliminate common behaviour problems such as digging, excessive barking, chewing etc
6. Exercise helps a timid dog build confidence and trust, because he will be socialising with other dogs and must be able to hold his own
7. Dogs need physical and mental stimulation every day.
8. Exercise helps prevent boredom and channels energy in a productive and acceptable direction
9. Exercise provides mental stimulation through territorial investigation. With his nose to the ground, your dog will gather information with all of his senses
   
10. Exercise helps prevents depression in dogs in the same way that it helps people

Dog runs available here

Burn off the Christmas Calories with a cat harness!

CAN CATS BE TRAINED TO WEAR A HARNESS?

Copyright Catnips – West London’s cat sitting service – http://www.catnips.co.uk

Yes, How do I know? Because I have trained my two kittens to go out with me on a harness. I won’t say it’s easy but with patience, perseverance and lots of understanding you can train a kitten to become accustomed to wearing a harness. I would say the older the cat the harder to achieve so always try to start as young as possible. It took me 8 weeks. Here’s how:

· Buy a kitten/cat harness from your local pet shop. Throw in with kitty’s toys so that they familiarise themselves with it. Play with them and the harness’s everyday for a least two weeks.

· Now comes the hard part! Without putting the main lead in, try putting the harness on the kitten before his/her main meal time. Always associate this with meal times or treats so that the kitten associates putting on the harness with something nice. At first there will be a struggle but the motto here is try try try again. Never give up!

· Start with 5 minutes a day congratulating them and reassuring them every step of the way. They will soon realise that the harness leads to treats and cuddles and all good things. This part of the training takes the longest so be very patient. As you see your kitten getting more comfortable with wearing the harness extend the time that it is on. Soon they will be playing totally unaware that they are strapped up in a strange gizmo and you can give yourself a pat on the back that the hardest part has been conquered! Make sure you leave enough space around the neck of the harness so that it is comfortable and not too tight. Test this by putting 2 fingers between the neck of your kitten and the harness. This applies to the body of the harness too. NEVER EVER leave your kitten unattended wearing the harness as it could get caught up on anything during playtime and lead to strangulation!

· Once you can see that your kitten has adapted to this strange looking thing around it’s body then you are ready for the next step, attaching the lead. Do this process slowly. Remember small steps will eventually lead to major leaps! Let your kitten walk along at it’s leisure with the lead dragging along. Don’t attempt to lead the walk, as it will never work! Even when you get to the stage where you go out with your kitten on a harness you will never be leading, they will! My kittens tended to play with each others leads and not much walking was done so I tried to separate them first which they didn’t really like so I quickly had to jump onto the next stage, taking them out, so that they understood what the lead was for.

· Now this next stage is very important. ALWAYS take your kitten out in the basket to the area which you want to walk them. If you just take them out the front door they will always try to dash out whenever you open the door. Mine now climb into their carrier as soon as it’s out as they know they are going somewhere nice for a walk. They never rush to the door to escape whenever I walk in. If you have this problem buy a small water pistol. Carry it with you in your bag. bagan.when you enter your home, if they are near ready to run out, squirt them with the water. They will start to associate the front door and what’s outside of it with a nasty squirt of water in the face so that should knock that little game on the head! So always use the basket. You will thank me later.

· Put the harness on before you put them in their carrier. Have the lead in your pocket. Give them treats! Don’t go too far on the first trip. They are going to be learning three things, to feel comfortable in their carrier, to feel comfortable in a car, and not be afraid of going out, not forgetting how to adjust to being walked, or should I say walking their human!! It’s difficult to know where to go that is A: quiet and B: dog free. One great place I have found is my local cemetery which says no dogs allowed. Doesn’t say cats!!! ;-)

· Make sure the harness is on secure and carry the basket from the car park to where you are going. Open the door and let kitty come out in it’s own time. Be patient and always offer words of encouragement and reassurance. Make sure you attach the lead BEFORE they take their first steps out into the big world. My kittens made my job easier at this stage as they really enjoyed be outside and, although nervous at first, they soon had a ball sniffing the grass, chasing butterflies and climbing trees! If your kitten does go to climb a tree that’s great but don’t let them go to high. Always be in control and hold that lead TIGHT! When you are both relaxed at this you can buy small puppy extendable leads which will give kitty more freedom to run along and chase things. It is never going to be like walking a dog. They go where they want to and when they want to so you just have to let them be cats and enjoy watching them lead YOU all over the place.

· Please be aware of dogs in your surroundings! They are quick and will chase your kitten so if you see one pick your kitten up straight away. It’s always much better to go somewhere quite and dog free if you can. A trip just outside London to the country can be a real treat for you both if you have a car and normally any wooded areas are quiet and you will hardly see any people walking their dogs.

· More at http://www.catnips.co.uk - West London’s finest cat sitting service

Happy 2009!

Wishing all our customers and their pets a very
Happy New Year!

Contribute to this blog and receive a free gift for your pet

email us today:
2point4pets@gmail.com

Include the word 'BLOG' in the subject header with any content and photos you want to contribute to the blog and we will publish!