Because French Bulldogs are a main feature on in my shop, and my artwork is featured quarterly in Just Frenchies magazine, many people ask me if I have a Frenchie of my own … they assume I must. The answer is no, not yet. I love the bully breeds, and I love drawing and photographing them, and I’ve become completely enamored with Frenchies over the last 5 years that I have been drawing them. So much so, that a Frenchie is the heroine in more than one of the children’s books I am working on.
But having a dog is a whole lot different than drawing and writing about one. In the 18″ of snow we’ve been hit with here recently … and repeatedly, I vividly recall what it was like not so long ago when I had two dogs, one of whom did not wish to sully her paws in that fluffy white stuff. And that was at 6:30 in the morning.
But that’s only a part of it. Dogs require time … especially a new dog. I will want to do what I always do – walk, socialize, obedience train, play and so on. Although it could change any moment, right now I would find it difficult to commit to the time I know I will give a dog.
And then, there’s kitty politics. Already an uneasy balance exists here – Miss Bossy Boots (Gypsy) spends way too much time scheming of ways to make Mewsette’s life miserable, and it’s not clear what tossing a dog in the mix might do. Although Claude would probably have a new best friend in 3 days. I firmly believe that when I am supposed to have a dog, the one that absolutely must be mine will appear.
So for now I draw. And write.
Featured here are a few more sketches, either in plain old pen, (my absolute favorite, by the way, for writing and general sketching, is Pentel R.S.V.P. Medium. It is one of THE best balanced writing pens on the market – you can feel it when you hold the pen with the cap on the end – just perfect!), and to the right, loose colored pencil. Enjoy.
Order French Bulldog cards and art here!
Note: All illustrations, drawings and photographs are © Jeanne Balsam and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Thank you!
Multi-talented indeed!
I agree with the time commitment with dogs. I had a doberman-lab mix for thirteen years, a wonderful companion. When she departed, I adopted felines–welcomed roommates for decades. Presently, I am pet-less and rest in the knowledge that when the universe shifts, a new friend will manifest.
In the meantime…no mess, no bother! 😉
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I am a big believer in that when the time is right, the animal (or person) who is meant to be with us appears. Even working in a huge city shelter, I knew that most of those animals were not for me personally, but it is also why I was inspired to run my own dog rescue and it is why I networked extensively finding so many animals homes, and to some degree, still do. 🙂
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Apparently you are an angel as well.
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Don’t know about an angel, but I do have a strong drive to help and heal …
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