Hotdigitaldog pet portraits
I am currently obsessed over Hotdigitaldog pet portraits, the latest we heart this Etsy Find. It’s easy to see why, how adorable are these? For me, they combine some of my biggest loves all in one sweet little package; vintage portraits, animals and digital wizardry. Turns out Cindy; photographer, graphic artist and proud Mama to 11 pets, started Hotdigitaldog specifically to combine those exact passions. You can buy an existing 5″ x 7″ for only $15, or get a custom portrait of your own pet for $45. All she needs is a photo (she’ll give you tips to take the best shot) and you tell her about their personality so that she can tailor the wardrobe for a perfect fit. What an amazing gift this would be!
Cindy’s interview also reveled she’s a music lover with a wicked sense of humor, just to further confirm that we’d get on like a house on fire if we ever meet in person…
wht: How did you get started doing this?
Cindy: I have a lot of pets and they keep me laughing and amazed. See these two? That duck was completely smitten with that dog. He also bossed all 74 pounds of her around mercilessly. I photograph animals and meet a lot of them and am always astounded that each and every one has its own distinct personality! I also love old photos and the history of photography in general – so it was a pretty short jump to Hotdigitaldog. I love the descriptions people send me of their pets – they are so tender and hilarious and full of love.
Other than custom portraits, many of your subjects are shelter animals. Do the finished pieces help these animals find homes?
Yes! People have told me later they adopted animals in my photos. And the two Athens shelters I go to (a cat shelter and a dog shelter) say it really helps. It’s kept me going – my husband also helps me every single week!
Have you lived in Athens your whole life? (we heart Athens!)
I have loved Athens since the first day I drove through it 20 odd years ago. I’m originally from Southern Illinois but have lived around the Southeast. Incredible musicians, artists and characters abound here.
So, tell us about your portrait of the “prize winning gerbil” (shown top row, center)
This is everything told to me by the Kylee Dickey, keeper of the amazingly cute Gerbil, Herman- “Herman had a successful show career. (The American Gerbil Society has gerbil shows, just like a dog show but with smaller competitors!) Last spring, he earned enough show points to retire a Champion (one of only 18 Champions in AGS history at the time).” I made Herman a small version of his portrait so he could look at it from inside his Gerbil estate.
And we couldn’t let Cindy go without a trip to our Potluck question vault…
I heart: reading, painting, photoshopping, watching the birds that come to my feeders, gardening.
I’m a do-gooder because I: can’t stand seeing litter, dogs in hot cars or unfed skinny cats. I also foster kittens for the humane shelter – but it’s a totally selfish activity. Nothing could be more fun.
Five people alive or dead I’d invite to a party: John Lennon, Roy Orbison, Freddie Mercury, Raul Julia and Billy Burke (Glinda the Good Witch – I heard she was a lot of fun).
If I were an 80’s movie/tv/music star, I’d be: Exene, ha! I wish. (good pick, how lucky she was to smooch both John Doe and Viggo Mortenson!)
What’s your porn name (childhood pet and the street you grew up on)? Pierre Mississippi – sexy, oui?
If you had a spare $500, what would you do with it? Buy a new camera! One that sees better than I do. Operators are standing by for your Hotdigitaldog order! Call now!
So, let’s help Cindy get that camera. Place an order at her Etsy store. You’ll be supporting one great chick, but selfishly, you’ll also end up with a really unique piece of art too.
Filed in: etsy 4 for Friday, pets & kids
12 responses so far ↓
You’re talking about Athens, Georgia right?
These are adorable. What a cool way to display your pet’s pictures!
Athens Georgia, yes.
Aren’t these the best? So cute, so clever, I’m very impressed. And I can’t wait to get them done for my 5 (4 dogs and the worlds most patient cat.)
I love Herman’s own little portrait hanging in his home too, so sweet!
So cute! I have to order too! Wow I love Herman.
And the dog and the duck! So adorable! And the name
Hotdigitaldog is adorable too!
These are wonderful! & I love that the photos help these cuties find homes! Cindy you rock
These would make amazing gifts! If you sneak a photo of your friends beloved animal and give them one of these for Christmas or a B.day. I think they would be over the moon with delight!
Stef discovered these fantastic animal portraits a few months back, so we were thrilled to get a chance to know Cindy and hear more about her work. Thanks to Cindy for chatting with wht and for all your great work helping homeless animals!
I cannot tell you how much I love the mini portrait in Herman’s’ hamster cage – too much! And I love all the details in the portraits (like the little bow on the cat’s head or the cockeyed bow paralleling the cockeyed doggie head). I can think of a few friends that I need to get one of these portraits to immortalize their pet(s)!
Why do I suddenly need a picture of a goat in a dress now? *ponders* Those photos are too stinkin’ cute!
These are so adorable! I’m like Krista….I too suddenly need a picture of a goat in a dress now…. weird.
I love these so much! Who doesn’t want an old-timey photograph of their pet dressed in clothes (that you didn’t have to wriggle them into). And the duck and dog photo is killing me – So adorable! Cindy seems pretty awesome too – love her Exene pick!
OMG I can’t even deal! SOOOOO CUTE!!!!!
I so want that goat in a dress too, but not only the portrait, now I want a pet goat to dress up.
Must at least get the portrait!
Cindy’s gonna do one of my HEDGEHOG!!! I’m sooo excited to see my li’l Cornelia all dressed up!
Oh my gosh, a hedgehog is a Victorian dress is going to be too cute! You’ll have to share once it’s done, Kimberly.
Kimberly – you MUST send us a copy of Cornelia’s photo! What sort of outfit are you going to do? Oh, she must have some sort of bow on her head!!
Let us know what you think below...