Art for pet lovers

In my living room is a gigantic blank wall. It's been that way for eight years. I suffer from a deep seated phobia of selecting original art. However, I think I'm ready to take the plunge since discovering Jamie Pflughoeft's Decopaw Design art at the Urban Beast pet store.

What could be better than having a giant size mug of my pug on the wall or my French bulldog's adorable little countenance looking down on social gatherings? (This way when I put the ill-behaved little devils in their crates while entertaining, it will be like they're right there with us.)

The Decopaw art looks like an original painting and has a gallery feel, but it's actually digital art stretched onto a canvas – making it much less expensive than a painting. "It's literally a large JPEG file blown up and printed on canvas or fine art paper," says Pflughoeft. The colors and background can easily be manipulated according to your preference. Dogs and cats frolic against natural backgrounds and seasonal displays of trees, snow, flowers and butterflies or stripes and solid backgrounds. Pflughoeft can also design "quad pictures" using four of the same or different images in one picture. The result is lively and engaging art of your furry friend.

Pflughoeft, owner/artist of Cowbelly Pet Photography and brainchild behind Decopaw Design, will photograph your pet, or you can provide your own digital images or film print. For photography, there is a $50 charge for a 45 minute outdoor/on location shoot in Seattle. Pflughoeft takes the image, gathers information on your colors, background and design preferences, then creates four to six proofs to choose from. "If a person can dream it up, I can create it," says Pflughoeft. "Each picture is individually tailored for the client."

With a degree in animal behavior and years of experience as a dog walker, Pflughoeft works well with animals, to say the least. She has her priorities. "My number one passion is the animal, then photography, then the art." Pflughoeft measures her success in reactions. "My end goal in making gifts for people is to make them cry with joy. Every time it happens I just think 'yes!' It's so satisfying."

Prices vary for the art depending on your choice of fine art paper or canvas, size and complexity of design. For example, a 12-by-14-inch canvas is $275. Complete price details are on Pflughoeft's Web site. The process takes four to six weeks and art can be shipped. Gift certificates are also available. If you love the art, but don't have a pet, you can purchase the 2007 Decopaw Dog Art Wall Calendar for $19.99 through Cafe Press.

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