The Cougars have entered into World’s Greatest Shave 2012 to raise funds for blood cancer research and free support for people with leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma.

Our goal is to raise $20,000

with team members colouring their hair or wearing wigs on Sunday March 18th and…

Michelle and Helene are being super brave and shaving their heads!!

So what can you win by helping us reach our goal?? 

For every $50

you donate to the team or a team member …

You will get a ticket into the draw to win an A5 (20 x 15cm) colour pencil portrait of your pet. (Sponsored by www.heleneruma.com)

Prize valued at $690 

Example

Rocky

For every $500

a businesses or individual donates to the team or a team member …

You will get a ticket into the draw to win a 6m² (Eg: 3x2m or 1x6m) mural or signage hand painted at your business or home. (Sponsored by www.heleneruma.com)

 Prize valued at $1,000 

Example

How to win

Step1

Click on the link to sponsor the team – make sure you make your donation public so we can confirm your entry http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/TheCougars

Step2

Send an email to helene@createdbyruma.com.au with your entry name and donation amount to make sure you are notified if you win. If you are one of the winners you will need to verify yourself by emailing through your donation receipt sent to you by the Leukaemia Foundation. (You’re email address will be protected and only be used to notify you if you have won one of the prizes).

There will also be a final fundraiser day on Sunday March 18  

Where:  Cougar Home Ground – Rathmines Oval
Crn Stilling St & Rosemary Row, Rathmines NSW

 Time:    10am-3pm

There will be:
face painting, hair colouring, quick sketches drawn of your pets,
sausage sizzle…

AND… we’ll be auctioning off the honour of shaving Helene and Michelle’s heads on the day  !!!

So come along and join in the fun

All donations over $2 are tax deductable.

Many thanks from
The Cougars

I have entered into World’s Greatest Shave 2012 with my soccer team “The Cougars” to raise funds for blood cancer research and free support for people with leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma.

Our team goal is to raise $20,000 and my personal goal is to raise

$10,000

We will be colouring our hair or wearing wigs on Sunday March 18th and…

I (along with team mate Michelle) am being super brave and shaving my head!!

Yikes! Talk about bad photo day!

So what can you win by helping us reach our goal?? 

For every $50

you donate to me or my team …

You will get a ticket into the draw to win an A5 (20 x 15cm) colour pencil portrait of your pet.

Prize valued at $690 

Example

Rocky

For every $500

a businesses or individual donates to me or my team…

You will get a ticket into the draw to win a 6m² (Eg: 3x2m or 1x6m) mural or signage hand painted at your business or home

 Prize valued at $1,000 

Example

How to win

Step1

Click on the link to sponsor me or my team – make sure you make your donation public so I can confirm your entry http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/Heleneruma

Step2

Send an email to helene@createdbyruma.com.au with your entry name and donation amount to make sure you are notified if you win. If you are one of the winners you will need to verify yourself by emailing through your donation receipt sent to you by the Leukaemia Foundation. (You’re email address will be protected and only be used to notify you if you have won one of the prizes).

There will also be a final fundraiser day on Sunday March 18  

Where:  Cougar Home Ground – Rathmines Oval
Crn Stilling St & Rosemary Row, Rathmines NSW

 Time:    10am-3pm

There will be:
face painting, hair colouring, quick sketches drawn of your pets,
sausage sizzle…

AND… we’ll be auctioning off the honour of shaving mine and Michelle’s heads on the day  !!!

So come along and join in the fun

All donations over $2 are tax deductable.

Many thanks from
Helene & Clarke

Quick Sketch

A Great day (Exhibition)

Not the quick sketch you’re used to but these are the sketches that begin the process to some of my drawings. The one on white paper is my first attempt. The drawing to the right of the photo is my latest. I still need to do a bit more work to perfect the legs, but I’m getting there.

Watercolour

It was exhibition month with 3 exhibitions I was entered into and had the success of selling 2 which were on display…

Where the Grass is Greener (Exhibition)

Going back to my “pony girl” days where I would endlessly draw horses and annoy everyone in my family with my obsession. It was a great experience to be able to draw these beautiful creatures again.

Thank you to Shoot-Ya-Pooch Pet Photography for the original photo.

Boxing at the Beach (Exhibition)

You guessed it, it’s back to my other love of dogs. What’s great about this is that I’m able to make a scene and tell a story with these portraits and bring some action and movement into what people already say comes alive on paper.

Thank you to Shoot-Ya-Pooch Pet Photography for the original photo.

White Pencil on Black Paper

Golly (A2)

Not sure how Golly’s mum heard about me but here is Golly from Northern Territory who is half way to being completed. I’m actually a bit further along on this one but I didn’t get a chance to take a final photo. Golly’s mum also runs a doggie daycare in the top end and wants this portrait of her boy Golly decorating the walls of the business.

Black Pencil on White Paper

Monty (A4)

I’m proud to say that Monty is now finished and was delivered to mum who commissioned it for her husbands birthday so he can remember his boy forever.

Hanrob portraits

More VIP client portraits have been completed but I can’t show you just yet till I get the ok that they have been delivered.

On the Side

They say a change is as good as a holiday…

Hey Gorgeous Hair Studio (signage)

No one likes to pain a house and I’m not any different so when I was asked to paint someones logo on their shop wall, I said “as long as I don’t have to paint the rest of the wall… you’re on!”

I really enjoyed getting out of the studio and doing something a little different. And it does help when you have a super steady hand that can handle curving and straight letters.

You can get a great hair style at:

Hey Gorgeous Hair Studio
73a King St, Warners Bay NSW 2282, Australia
(02) 4948 2370

…and while you’re there see some of my handy work!

Ram City Memory Upgrades (Caricatures)

This is something I was a little bit hesitant to do having never done it before. Especially when female staff are saying feel free to make me look like Elle McPherson. But I’ve been told that the staff love their portraits and now it’s time to add the colour.

For all your computer memory needs for both Mac and PC visit

http://www.ramcity.com.au/

Do you want a life long memory as unique as they are?

Have you always wanted one of my portraits and find you’re always missing out?

I know a lot of people  desperately want one of my portraits of their pet as a memory to treasure forever but time keeps slipping away and you feel you are always missing your chance when the big occasions come around.

If this is the situation you find yourself in, you’re not alone. With Christmas already booked out this year and my portrait getting more detailed and taking longer to do, I realise its time to put up the price again. But as someone who has followed my progress I know it’s only fair to give you one last chance to get one of my amazing portraits at an incredible great price in time for next years birthdays, Christmas or just for yourself in 2012.

This is why I am offering a very limited number of two of my popular portrait styles for a limited time at my old prices.

Let’s have a look at the two styles on offer and how much you can save.

OPTION 1

First of all there is the BLACK PENCIL ON WHITE PAPER.

There has been a lot of demand for this type of portrait. I developed this style when I received an order for 33 portraits from a business called Hanrob who offer basic to 5 star accommodation for your pet.

This is a portrait that will suit any animal of any colour.

Here are some of the things Hanrob said as they received their portraits.

“OMG! THEY ARE STUNNING “

“The client would like a second one for his family… I also attached the photo of [one of your BW portraits] so he could see the quality of your work. He loved them!!”

“Your work and professionalism is just second to none!!”

As you can see the BLACK PENCIL ON WHITE PAPER portraits are an absolute hit and will really capture the detailed features of your pet bringing them to life.

OPTION 2

the WATERCOLOUR.

After attending 2 watercolour classes I was hooked and found a great way to add colour into anyone’s portrait that will highlight your pets features and would be an absolute talking point and life long memory of the one you love.

Many people have jumped on the chance to get on of my watercolours.

Here are just a few comments that people have made…

“My boy Doc and a boxer friend done by Helene Ruma…she is so talented.”

“ Gorgeous!”

“amazing!!!”

So which did you like the best?

I’ve listed below all the options for each of the portraits available.

Portraits offered to you at the old price will save you up to 38% off the new prices.

All you have to do is click on the BUY NOW of the one you like best to buy your personal commissioned portrait of your fur-friend from my ETSY store. Or if you would prefer, I can also take credit card payments over the phone 0422969280 or EFT into my account. Call 0422 969 280 or send me an email helene @ createdbyruma.com.au ASAP for those options.

Just some things to remember, these portraits will be delivered between March and April in 2012. Delivery is FREE to all major cities on the east coast of Australia. A small fee applies to destinations outside those areas. All customers outside of Australia will only be charged AU$25 for delivery.

BLACK PENCIL ON WHITE PAPER

WATERCOLOUR

Dont forget this offer will end midnight 31st October 2011 or once all the portraits on offer are sold.

I can wait to start all your portraits. My QA Officer Clarke Kent (cocker spaniel extraordinaire) and I will be making sure all portraits leave my art room at the highest quality we can only be proud of, because we understand how much you love them.

From me and Clarke, happy tail wagging

Helene Ruma
The Dog Portrait Artist

I’ve made it official that at least 50% of all my quick sketches will be donated to charity. So if you are part of a group that saves animals or just does good for anyone contact me to be part of your fund raiser.

This month with my quick sketches and gold coin entries into win a free watercolour of your pet, I managed to raise $112 for Greyhound Adoption Program and $182 for Margie the blind poodle who Hunter Animal Rescue has now raised $3000 for an operation to restore her sight.

Watercolour

The cats are starting to take over with two more cat portraits completed of…

Suki (A4)

Tuvok (A4)

This is a portrait that was commissioned by Nerelee who wanted her friend Casey to have an extra special 21st birthday.

A Curious Meeting (A4)

I actually started this one again… I’m starting to make a habit of that… But now it’s finished and I’ll be putting it into the Newcastle Art Society Belmont Exhibition at the Belmont Citi Shopping Centre, Belmont NSW.

Gresford 

Hey this isn’t an animal! NO it’s my first attempt at a landscape.

In between belly laughs with fellow artists on our camping trip to Gresford, this is one of the art works I came up with.

Black Pencil on White paper

A much loved Boarder Collie (A4)

Earlier this year, this little man went to the rainbow bridge. Much loved and very missed, I can’t imagine a better way to remember such an important member of the family.

Hanrob portraits

More VIP client portraits have been completed but I can’t show you just yet till I get the ok that they have been delivered. Stay tuned, in this batch, one of the VIPs is famous.

Full Colour Pencil

Snoopy (A4)

Bring out the trumpets and the fan fare!!! Snoopy is finally finished… YEAH!!!!

I was a little bit nervous doing this one, but as always I took a deep breath and made sure I got it right.

Again the quick sketches have been popular, especially at the Hunter Animal Rescue trivia night where I completed 20 sketches in 3 hours raising a total of $400 for the rescue. Everyone was so happy with their portraits and I was even sent messages that some were being framed cause the owners thought they were so good.

Oscar (the face of Oscar’s Law)

You can imagine my surprise (and Joy) when I found out I drew Oscar, at the Greyhound Rescue trivia night. Oscar is the face of a movement to ban puppy farms for good and I’m so pleased to say that he has been saved again this year. This is a truly amazing story and a real reason why you should do your homework when buying a puppy… see the parents and the conditions where the dogs are raised, ask lots of questions and don’t buy puppy’s from pet stores or from internet/newspaper classifieds.

See Oscar’s story here and spread the word. It’s a must!  

Watercolour

I am really loving these watercolours as you can see here with…

Jaydee (A2)

CJ (A3)

Leo (A4) 

And of course like I said in my previous update I have re-painted Leo the cat’s portrait. I’m happier with the colour and this time I’ve added more detail into his features… Because you know I can’t resist adding more detail.

A Curious Meeting (A4)

After being told my by fellow artists in my Thursday Wangi Art Group to get a move on and prepare something for our many future exhibitions, I’ve decided to dedicated my Thursday’s to creating portraits for exhibitions and sale. Of course they will be of my favourite subject matter… Doggies!

I would also like to thank my great friend and talented pet photographer Jenny from Shoot-Ya-Pooch Pet Photography for allowing me to use one of the candid shoots she took of Doc “the delinquent Dane” and this little boxer.

Black Pencil on White paper

More portraits have been delivered to the VIP clients of Hanrob, with all of them getting a great surprise and now enjoying the life long memory of their beloved pets on their walls.

Jess and Shakey (A4)

Nalu (A4)

Sally & Sam (A4)

Snuffy (A4)

Tiger & Marshmellow (A4)

Full Colour Pencil

Snoopy (A4)

Even writing down the monthly art shopping list doesn’t stop me from getting it wrong and buying the wrong pencil colour. This has put a temporary spanner in the works for completing Snoopy’s portrait and will be waiting till later this month when I make the hike back to the art shop and buy the right colour.

After spending Saturday night at the Greyhound Rescue trivia doing quick sketches off people’s mobile phones and donating most of the proceeds to the rescue. By the end of the night I had raised a nice little sum of $280 which I know will be put to good use. That night I could only do the sketches in pencil so I wouldn’t “gas” everyone with the sealer spray needed for pastel portraits.

The next day at the Manly Dogs Day Out I had a surprise for everyone and drew my quick sketches for a one time only…never to be repeated… full colour pastel quick sketches for only $30 each.

Pastel and Pencil

Jaydee (A2 and A4 tests)

I’ve also been busy creating test samples of Jaydee’s portrait in pastel.

This is the first time I’ve worked in pastel on a dark coloured dog and I want to test out how this is going to look before delivering the final portrait. You can see I’ve created a couple of smaller tests but then when it came to Jaydee’s big portrait I’ve got him out of proportion and his looking like a younger pup which means I’m back to the drawing board.

But I still wasn’t happy with how the black finishes on the left hand side so I decided to try Jaydee’s portrait on black card.

Leo (A4)

Not having much luck with the pastels cause little Leo here is looking a bit like a feral cat instead of the delicate cuddly puddy that he is.

Watercolour

Leo (A4)

This is why after going to a watercolour workshop I decided to convert my pastel portraits to watercolours. So far I’ve redrawn Leo’s portrait, but I plan on doing this one again cause I don’t think his coat colour is right. I’d also like to take this one a little further and add more detail to his portrait.

Coco (A4)

And here is Coco who was a surprise birthday present for a very special son… happy birthday James. This is the level of detail I want to put into my watercolour portraits and I love the control I have in the brush strokes too.

White Pencil on Black paper

Jessie (A4)

Here is a portrait of little Jessie who has been through a bit of a rough patch on the medical front. I hear she’s a lot better now.

Black Pencil on White paper

I have been working on more Hanrob Pet Hotel portraits which I can’t show you at the moment, but here are the portraits that have been delivered over the last month.

 Charlyk & Chikita (A4)

Ronald and Nelson (A4)

Sheba and Zoe (A4)

 Tom and Daisy (A4)

Full Colour Pencil

Snoopy (A4)

After already starting Snoopy’s portrait for a second time, I’m now taking my time with this one but I know I will be finished soon and Snoopy will be framed and hung next to his old mate Toby who is now waiting for him and mum and dad at the rainbow bridge.

by Clarke Kent (PR Manager & QA Officer)

As you all know I have had a few issues with other dogs and men, but I suppose that’s no excuse to keep the angry bad habits going, so my two pet humans Helene and Mike decided I should retrieve two birds with one trip (a little gun dog humour) and learn how to train my pet humans to relax while I’m around other dogs and scary big men by enrolling in the Hanrob Pet Hotels “Training for Life” program… and at the same time road test their facilities and accommodation.

While Helene delivered the latest pencil portraits for the Hanrob VIP clients, I checked myself in under the alias “Clarke Ruma” so I wouldn’t alert the puparazzi or get harassed for paw prints by the other K9 hotel guests. It was pretty scary when I first arrived at Hanrob, there were dog smells everywhere and I didn’t know who was going to spring out and attack me but then I met this awesome human named Charmaine who kept feeding me and I didn’t think about the other dogs so much.

For the first week I tested out the luxury suites where I had my own bed and Helene also brought my own bedding and toys. I had a view of everything so I could watch all the dogs and wait staff walk by.

If you’re looking for first class living then this is the way to go. I had my own TV, my own bed, a large play area of my own and friendly neighbours…who I couldn’t see but I knew were there.

I also got to road test the standard accommodation which was also pretty pawsome. It had heated floors which the wait staff would adjust to my personal liking and just like the luxury suit, it always smelt fresh and clean after housekeeping came and “changed the sheets” on a daily basis and also did a little tidy up for me. Who doesn’t like fresh sheets!!

Room service came twice daily and although I had a choice of bringing my own food, I opted for what was on the menu… hey! It’s better than what I get at home and as a Cocker Spaniel… I’m more stomach than dog.

I got out a lot throughout the day with my scheduled play sessions, and my new mate Charmaine came to visit a few times a day to take me out and introduce me to the other hotel guests. I’m sure I did some work while I was there but I was just having so much fun, it just didn’t feel like it!!

I did have a few domestic disputes with other hotel guests, mainly Labrador’s (they think they’re so smart cause they lead blind people around) but I learnt to overcome my negative feelings all thanks to my new mate and the other human trainers who all gave me lots of encouragement (aka food).

But it wasn’t all about food, I got to hang out at the beach too…

When Helene and Mike came to pick me up, I gave them a rundown of everything I learnt and how to stay happy. Back at home, they do have their slip ups but that’s ok cause Hanrob is just a phone call away and with the “Training For Life” Program I can take them to the Saturday group classes anytime for free just to remind them what they have to do and to boost their confidence. We’ve already been back one Saturday and my humans came a long way by the end of it. I was very proud of them.

Just goes to show that even when you rescue a human with a few nervous issues, with some quality training and consistency they can come a long way and be the friend for life that you’ve always wanted.

ie: I’m consistently good = they consistently feed me and give me hugs.

Till my next report, snuggle those who have two legs, after all they’re only human.

WOOF WOOF and Happy Tail Wagging
Clarke Kent
(PR Manager & QA Officer)

I was off again doing quick sketches at the PetQuarters grand opening last month. I never realised how many Great Danes there were out and about cause I drew two of them and here they are…

Someone had a favourite photo on their mobile phone… and who doesn’t… so you don’t even need you pup with you if you want o get a quick sketch of your pooch.

And another Dane named Doc…

We can’t forget the little kittens too…

There were many others I drew on the day and everyone had a ball.

Pastel and Pencil

Ivana (A3)

Here is the lucky winner of the Greyhound Rescue silent auction held at their trivia night a few months ago. The lucky winner Tara won the bid and received this portrait of her much loved cat at 50% off the usual price. WOW! Better yet… all the money went to saving these fast little runners and has hopefully helped one more find its forever home.

Black Pencil on White paper

While I have been working on my big order from Hanrob Pet Hotels, they have been making their portrait deliveries over the last month. Here are a couple more that have been delivered.

JJ, Bella and Jess (A3)

George (A4)

It was a great surprise when a VIP client from Hanrob Pet Hotels called me personally to tell me how much she loved her portrait of her pug George and how amazed she was that I had captured his expression perfectly. She told me how much they loved George who is now 9 years old and how much they loved the portrait I created for them. I think one of the most beautiful things she said was that her and her husband talked about when they are 70 years old and sitting on the couch, they can look up at his portrait and remember him just the way he was.

The Italian Greyhounds – Romy and Elmo (A3)

These two were ordered by Travis, a great husband in Melbourne who wanted to give his wife a unique gift for her 40th birthday. He resisted the urge to unpack the portrait early (which was wrapped in miles of bubble wrap) and waited till the day of her birthday. Later he wrote to me…

We literally are sitting in bed still looking at it together… Needless to say…. she totally… LOVES IT! LOVES IT! LOVES IT! LOVES IT!…  Seriously, it is outstanding!  While I had faith it was going to be good, I was not expecting the level of detail, depth and “polish” you have given us.  We can’t even believe you captured the tiniest little dot in Romy’s ear!  And those beautiful eyes; they could melt the coldest heart! … It is easily one of the best gifts I have given her…ever! … What you do is a magical thing… Two more fans for life!

Full Colour

Olive and Chillie (A4)

I actually finished this portrait last year for Chris, the co-owner of At Perry Lane Cafe in Paddington. I had planned on delivering this one personally when I went back to the cafe to do my drawings but as it happens, time has been racing away from me and I didn’t want to leave him without his portrait any longer. I will be making my way back to At Perry Lane Cafe very soon.

Piglet (A4)

Last year a mum named Pat won a $200 gift certificate at the Calais Estate Doggie Day Out and decided to put it towards a full colour portrait of Piglet who is waiting for her mum (Pat’s daughter Amanda) at the rainbow bridge. You have to agree… she has a cute name. I wonder if it’s because of her pink little eye.

Snoopy (A4)

This is one that I have actually started again cause I wasn’t happy with the way it was going the first time. This is Emma’s second colour portrait she has ordered, the last one was of her dearly departed Toby. Snoopy is a shy, sweet little boy and I think this portrait is really going to capture that.

With the success of the launch of the two new portrait styles, I thought it would be great to donate one to a few rescues I follow.

Last month I donated an A3 Pastel and Pencil to Greyhound Rescue for their trivia night silent auction and another A3 Pastel and Pencil plus framing to my favourite rescue Hunter Animal Rescue for their Fur Ball silent auction in October later this year.

But you all know I have a big soft spot for Cocker Spaniels like my boy Clarke Kent (above). When I was looking for a new PR Manager and QA Officer to help me with my portrait business I didn’t have a lot of luck finding cocker spaniels that needed to be rescued in Australia. Although they do occasionally find themselves without a home here, they’re snapped up pretty quickly.

I finally found Clarke at a breeder in NSW who ran the cocker rescue in NSW. This is someone who plays match-maker by putting together people who need to re-home their cocker spaniel with someone who is looking for one before they end up in the pound. There doesn’t seem to be anyone who is out there searching for cocker spaniels who are in pounds and putting them in foster care till they can find their forever homes.

While I was looking for someone to rescue back at home, I stumbled onto Camp Cocker Rescue in the US who actually searches for all cocker spaniels and there are some who need urgent medical attention. I saw on one of their Facebook posts that there were 15 cocker spaniels that had been dumped in their local California pound in just one week.

I’ve been hooked following the progress of the cocker spaniels they save, like…

Annie who was first thought to be blind but was found to have a severe case of cherry eye which was left untreated…

…and Ruby who reminds me so much of my old girl Sam in her younger years. Ruby recently needed urgent medial attention because of what might have been an allergic reaction. 

You to may also be big fans of the “wiggle butt” Cocker Spaniel or you just love dogs and think any who get a second chance is a great thing, so here is your chance to do your part in helping dogs and you could

win an A3  (30x42cm / 12×16″) Pastel and Pencil portrait valued at $175 of your fur-buddy!

just like this one…

How to enter

1. EASY… all you have to do is donate US$10 to Camp Cocker Rescue in the month of JUNE by heading to the link http://www.campcocker.com/donate-please/ 

2. Click on the PayPal link and enter how much you want to donate – $10 per entry (ie: $10 = 1 entry, $50 = 5 entries)
(please note that Camp Cocker Rescue is registered under their orignal name “Katrina Dog Rescue”. You can read all about how they started and why they then focused on cocker spaniels HERE)

3. After entering in PayPal or credit card details you will then get to the “Review Your Information” page on the PayPal site. In the payment box under your details there is a highlighted NOTE TO SELLER – click “ADD” and enter
“donation is for the June raffle”.

So simple

Of course you can also become a monthly donor for as little as $10/month and automatically be entered in all the future raffles Camp Cocker Rescue run.

For those of you who have always wanted one of my other styles this is a great way to get a gift certificate valued at $175 to put towards the portrait of your dreams.

This is a great prize and a great cause!!

Any questions about the portrait can be sent to me or to Camp Cocker Rescue

Good Luck and Happy Tail Wagging

Helene Ruma
The Dog Portrait Artist