Friday, June 29, 2007

IF: Twist


Quite sometime ago Portnoy and Biff met at a no-kill animal shelter in the middle of America.

It seems Portnoy was a renegade that escaped a truck headed for the slaughterhouse. Afraid to go back to the farm, Portnoy walked for days until he met a kindly old gentleman who told him all about this shelter. Unable to properly take care of a pig, the old man gave Portnoy a ride to the door and waved a tearful goodbye. The volunteers at the shelter welcomed Portnoy with open arms and hearts. They brought him to his new quarters but on the way there he was struck by Biff, an old-timer stray dog with a twist in his tail just like his!

The shelter worker saw the connection between Portnoy and Biff right away and asked if they'd like to be roommates. Biff's spirits soared by having Portnoy around. They shared stories of life before being rescued and celebrated every day for the strange twist of fate that brought them together.

Two peas in a pod, those two. Old souls embracing a new lease on life.


Just for IF, watercolor, Pitt pens and gouache on Canson pastel paper...and lots of struggling with each blasted medium! Click to enlarge.

37 comments:

  1. Aw! they wouldn't now be living with you, would they?

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  2. hehe, great chat, nice work!

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  3. The problem here is going to be if someone with poor vision only focuses on the tail...gets a hankering for a hamsandwich...and could very well grab the dog...I'm just trying to cover all of the bases and make sure the owners are careful should that day come...

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  4. Great story and illustration. Such personality comes across! I don't believe that you struggled with this one :o)

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  5. Great story and illustration. Such personality comes across! I don't believe that you struggled with this one :o)

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  6. I love illustrations that are posted with stories...yours is wonderful.

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  7. SO adorable Laurel! Very cute illo and wonderful story!

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  8. PRECIOUS! I love your story and illo!

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  9. That's such a sweet story and a cute illo too:)

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  10. What an inspired story and a charming and elgant illo! I adore your art and mind!

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  11. Laurel, I love this sweet story. Actually, it almost made me cry till the happy ending. I think it is lovely work! And also an original twist on the concept. ;>

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  12. Lovely, Laurel! Enjoyed reading the story too.

    Laurel, I've been trying to contact you thru your email but couldn't get thru. Can you please e-mail me your address because you have won the cat totebag!! Congratulations!

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  13. cute lil story, with a sweet lil twist! :o)

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  14. Struggling maybe, but still cute! Love this love story of a different kind.

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  15. Hi Laurel- Thanks for the comments on the murals.Congrats on the huge commission and the Thinking Blog Award! Great story with the Animal Shelter and I laughed at the Jello mold rejection.
    Is the commission from the Agricultural mural?

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  16. Always so touching to read your posts and see your work! Love the way this turned out.

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  17. wow matchin corkscrews, now i know where to go when i need my wine opened JK

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  18. Hi Laurel! It's me again. I've tried to reply your e-mail but still couldn't get thru. Anyway, I've sent an e-mail thru g-mail and just need a confirmation whether you have received it. Anyway, if it's not in your inbox, I just want to tell you that your bag has been mailed. Hope it reaches you safely in 2 weeks times.

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  19. Very nicely painted! Great!

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  20. The struggle paid off (you make it look easy)! Beautiful piece and story!

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  21. Laurel,

    You never cease to amaze me! This is beautiful! I love the illo, shadows and all. Have you thought about writing and illustrating children's picture books? As usual, you inspire me.

    Have a happy 4th!

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  22. Awwwwwwwwwwww.

    That's great!!!

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  23. Oh! I love these two soulmates!! Wonderful painting, and, as usual, brought a smile to my day.

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  24. I love the story and the illustration!

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  25. Aw, that's so cute! Great pic as well!

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  26. Your stories are soulful! I love them. Nice illo, great imagination! :)

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  27. What a cute story and drawing. Are you writing a Portnoy & Biff book (I hope?)

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  28. I'm glad they found each other, sweet portnoy and Biff. Beautiful to look at, and Love the story, especially the happy ending.

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  29. What a gorgeous story, and a lovely drawing to boot!!

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  30. They look like a couple of chums sitting down for a nice chat.

    Wonderful story (and message... though I'm not ready to give up my ham sandwiches... sorry... maybe someday), and any 'struggle' you had doesn't show in the final piece.

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