Self Portrait

Isn't it funny how you can get all dolled up and have a professional portrait taken, but your favorite photo ends up being one a friend took spur of the moment with their iPhone?

This photo was taken at least 18 months ago.  Hubby and I  had gone out for big hike.  We came home and went to say hi to the hens before getting cleaned up.  I picked up Honey for a snuggle because she's so soft and cuddly.  Then Ginger jumped up onto my lap and right behind her was Spice.

So before I knew it, I had three Buff Orpingtons on my lap.  Ginger, in the middle, was pecking at both Honey and Spice, desperate to get them off of HER lap.  Ginger never liked to share.  Hubby thought that was a cute scene and snapped a photo with his iPhone.

It turned out to be one of my all time favorite photos of me with my hens.  It's become even more special to me since we lost Spice and Ginger last year.

Back in November we stopped in a local coffee shop for a java fix and a local artist was displaying a number of her watercolors.  And I was smitten.  Even though there were no birds on the wall, I knew she could transform my favorite photo into something really special.  And below is the final result.

I asked her to remove the ugly green wheel barrow and my garden clogs.  I also sent her some close up shots of the three hens so she could really see their faces.  And she nailed it!  All the way down to Ginger's angry red face.  I couldn't be more thrilled.

The artist is local the Bay Area but will ship in the US.  Maybe overseas too.  I didn't ask.  Her name is Amy Rattner.  And her website is: http://amyrattnerart.com/  Check out her dogs and cats.  I think her work is amazing and I couldn't be more thrilled with the end result.  I can't wait to get the final work back from the frame store to hang above my desk.