New Instagram Account

I’ve always had a soft spot for dreamy, whimsical art - the stars, moon, unicorns, angels.. you get the idea. But on the other hand, I find joy in making simple, cute little illustrations too. And then to complicate things further, there is also the #dollgift_petstory where I share stories of pets around the world with everyone. So I’m torn between which style to adopt, because afterall they are all a part of me, just the different sides of my personality. Lately I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a separate IG account for the same reason, to keep the style/ content more consistent. So today I finally did it! Ha. Thanks to everyone who voted for my new account's name... @dollgift_whimsyart it shall be! Give me a follow there if you like! :) 

I’ll be keeping my current account for the random cute art and pet stories while @dollgift_whimsyart for my dreamy world.


What about you, which art style/ content do you prefer?

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Help Australia!

Thinking about our friends and all the animals in Australia… 😭🙏🏼🌧

Artwork is available on print and other merchandise (over 70 products!) on Redbubble. 100% proceeds will be donated to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to help them to continue the amazing works they have been doing for injured Koalas from the devastating Australia bush fires. I do want to clarify that Redbubble is a third party print-on-demand store, my profit margin for each sale is only an average of 20% retail price and will be affected by promotions Redbubble run. Therefore, the final amount is not huge. I was only hoping to help in little ways I can. If you feel that in this case you prefer to make your donation directly to them (or to any other relief efforts), please feel free to do so. I will be sharing the sales report here once I receive it from Redbubble (usually around the 15th of each month) to keep things transparent. With that said, if you would like to help AND also own a cute little koala merchandise (over 70 products!), head over to my Redbubble store to start your shopping HERE. Once again, please do help to share my post and keep praying for Australia. Thank you!!!

PS: Don’t miss our Giveaway (one post down)!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

New Year Giveaway

Stand a chance to win a portrait of your cute little pal (all breeds and species welcome!). This time we are picking TWO lucky winners - one on Instagram and one on Facebook.

Simply follow these steps to participate:
1) Follow me @dollgift on IG or @dollgiftillustration on FB
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2) Like this post and tag 3 people (every 3 tags entitle you an extra chance to win!)
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3) Share this post on your IG story or FB. (Be sure to set the post to public and tag me)
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Each lucky winner will receive a custom 12''x12’’ Art print portrait of your pet. You can also choose to gift it if you win. Everyone can take part! See samples of some of these adorable portraits below.

Alternatively, follow me on Instagram and hashtag your photo #dollgift_petstory. I pick a random pet to draw occasionally. Make sure your account is public! If your pet is chosen, you may purchase the portrait as a print or a wide range of merchandise such as t-shirts, phone cases, pillows etc.

To commission a portrait, go to Custom Portrait or get in touch!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

New Christmas Art & Merchandise

All I Want for Christmas is You~
Specially for those missing their fur-babies and coping with grief around the festive season…

*Beep! Beep!* Log cake delivery!

Our Christmas tree is up! ;)


Shop: www.redbubble.com/people/dollgift/shop

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Stars Collector

I was flipping through my sketchbook and found some old sketches/ ideas that didn’t make it to my picture book, this was one of them. So I turned it into a black & white drawing instead. Those of you who loved my earlier works of simple black & white line drawing style, this one is for you.

Merchandise of Stars Collector are available on my Redbubble store here - www.redbubble.com/people/dollgift/shop

If you would like to commission a portrait, head over to my Order A Portrait page or simply drop me an email. Have a wonderful day! :)

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

My Art Journey

Someone had asked if a portion of the sales from my pet portraits would go to any charity. And since quite a number of you had just started following me, I thought I could take this opportunity to share my story with you. :)

I’m an animal lover if it isn’t obvious by now. I’ve always felt a connection with animals (especially dogs!) so naturally you can see them in all my works. My precious dachshund boy had been my greatest inspiration. I had Nono for 12 years and he crossed over the rainbow bridge in 2015. :'( After his passing, I made sure his spirit continues to live on, in my art.

I never had any formal education in fine art or illustration beside some weekend art classes I attended as a kid. Although I could see the gradual improvement in my works over the years, to be honest, I still struggle with confidence. (See the progression in my drawing style below - starting off as simple line drawings to more colours and details).

While I dedicate my life to create art that make people smile, the one mission dearest to my heart is to raise awareness for animal welfare and to promote love and compassion towards animals. Every month, I set aside 10% of my earnings into what I named the Angel Fund. There are a number of animal welfare groups/ causes I support. To date, I’d donated money and merchandise for fundraising to Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD), Causes For Animals (Singapore), Gentle Paws(Singapore), Hope For Paws (United States), Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter (OSCAS), SPCA (Singapore) and various smaller non-profit groups (some I donated and then forgot their names. Lol). Once in a while, Angel Fund also helps individuals with their pet's medical bill appeals. Beside animals, I help humans whenever I can too! :D I’m happy to have contributed my cards to Punggol View Primary School for their fundraising event and Cause Corps (UK) for a very meaningful project - postcards writing to children with serious medical condition around the world.

So now you know, when you commission an illustration or buy something on my Redbubble store, you’ll be helping the animals (and humans) too! Sidetrack: How does Redbubble works, you may wonder. Redbubble is a print-on-demand store, meaning anyone can upload their art/ photos to sell. If someone orders a product with our design on it, we sellers earn a little profit. How much you set your profit margin will determine how much you earn. For me it’s around 20%-25% since it’s highly competitive on Redbubble. And because Redbubble is constantly running promotions, our profit is affected as well. Regardlessly, 10% goes into my Angel Fund. 

Yes, I’m doing this full time. This includes fulfilling every roles in every aspects you can think of - from creating new art to marketing, managing sales, website, Redbubble, social medias and all administrative, logistic and bookkeeping - all . by . myself. Admittedly, this path I’d chosen for myself can get very lonely and exhausting sometimes. What keeps me going is knowing how many animals/ people I'd helped and will be helping along the way. I'm blessed with this privilege. I only wish I could do so much more. Therefore, your support is very important to me. Every like, comment, share means alot to me. Even better when you commission an artwork or purchase something on my Redbubble store! If you feel inspired by my story and would like to make a donation to support what I do, you can do so via the donation button at the bottom of my website. Your love and support will allow me to continue on this journey.

Thank you for reading my entire essay! Haha! :*

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

 

Love Me (I Have A Wish)

This is a tribute to @wiff_of_joy ’s Winslow (Winnie) and everyone who’d given rescued animals a second chance at life. On behalf of the animals, I thank you for showing them love and kindness.
''I have a wish… I wish all the animals at the shelters will find a loving home.’’

Follow the progress of my book on Facebook and Instagram!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Brave Little Ones (I Have A Wish)

#dollgift_ihaveawish Idea by @ivantsj (sorry I had to edit your wordings a little): ‘’I have a wish… I wish the baby turtles would remain strong in challenging the vast unknown and return to where they belong one day.’'


I spent a rather long time on this piece mainly trying to get the desired colour; I’d wanted a night sky but I also wanted sunrise to symbolize new beginnings... And then there were the many details on the uniform which took me more time. I really like how the whole piece turned out. I hope you like it too.

To contribute idea(s) for my book and stand a chance to see them get illustrated, here are the details:
1. It has to be animal related. No violence/ cruelty of any kind please. It can be a topic to raise awareness for animal welfare (just a thought).
2. It has to start with ‘I have a wish… I wish _____________________.'
3. Be as imaginative and whimsy as possible coz that’s my style! It can be a personal story, something you experienced in your dreams or, just be creative! .
Feel free to throw in as many ideas as you like. You can comment below my post or DM me your idea. If your idea gets chosen, I will credit you AND draw you inside. Click on #dollgift_ihaveawish for some ideas!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Custom Family Portrait (New Adventure!)

For this piece, besides wanting her hubby & her to be holding an USA and Korea flag, client hoped to have the continent of North America and Asia to be incorporated into the artwork. I suggested a sunrise background to symbolize a new beginning for their upcoming adventure and also a pier since it was where they had their wedding shoot.

I want to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to this very sweet lady @didel613. This was the 3rd time she engaged my service - each time she’d given me her full trust and the absolute freedom of expression, not to mention she’s always full of appreciation for my effort. Thank you also for the permission to share your lovely message (scroll down to see her message). This was just one of the many sweet notes she’d sent me!). My heart is full. I wish you and Taylor (hopefully your 3 doxies too!) the very best for your exciting journey ahead, Diane!

If you’d also like to have your pet drawn, get in touch for a quote or visit my shop page for more details!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Never Grow Old (I Have A Wish)

'I have a wish... I wish you would never grow old.'

Don’t forget to send in your ideas if you’d like to see them illustrated for my book. Details #dollgift_ihaveawish . Follow me on IG for progress of my book!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Random Thoughts

Throughout my life, I never really felt I belong anywhere - more like an alien from another dimension. Families, friends and acquaintances called me a ‘loner’, an ‘individualist’ or ‘eccentric' person. Of course there were also the less positive labels, ‘anti-social’, ‘snobbish’, ‘weird’ and so on. What most of them do not know is that I’m also an empath, highly sensitive (to energy/ noise/ light, etc) and suffer from generalized/ social anxiety disorder (sometimes I hide it well). I have a strong interest in metaphysical subjects. I’m spiritual but not religious and non political. I’m bad at small talks.. Tell me about angels, fairies, unicorns, the meaning of life, universe, death, meditation, chakra, energy healing, your darkest fears and dreams. I’m an old soul. I feel so much that I become easily drained emotionally. I believe we all have a bigger purpose on earth; we have so much to learn and to give during our lifetime here. I love animals. I wish everyone would treat ALL animals with respect and compassionate - not for food, entertainment, sport or for use/ testing for our products. I do so by setting a good example first. I keep things to myself because most people won’t understand me. My closest friend recently asked, ‘We’ve known each other for so long now but I wonder how much do I really know you? I replied ‘Probably around 80%? The other 10% only I know me.. and the remaining 10%, even I don’t know.’’ 😂 Perhaps the next time we judge someone, we can be a little mindful.. what we see is just one of the many facets we ‘choose' to see in them or a side he/she consciously (or subconsciously) shows. Love and light to you.

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Tea Party (I Have A Wish)

#dollgift_ihaveawish Idea by @rmbaron15 : ''I wish my dog/cat could talk and we would have tea parties together! I think this is something my daughters would actually wish for! Haha.’’ According to @rmbaron15 , her daughters love cats but they do not have one at the moment. They have a cutie pitbull though. A rather detailed piece as I really wanted all the pretty stuffs on the table! I hope the little girls’ dream would come true one day.. or at least they’d get a cat. Send in your ideas if you’d like to see them illustrated for my book! More details on my earlier post.

Send in your ideas if you’d like to see them illustrated for my book (details on my earlier post). Remember to follow me on IG for progress of my book #dollgift_ihaveawish!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Guiding Light (I Have A Wish)

Thank you for all your input for my book! Please keep them coming. I have visuals for some of your ideas already! :D Meanwhile, here’s another one for you. It’s a re-work from one of my earlier pieces which I thought would go well with this book. ‘I have a wish. I wish to be the brightest star in the sky so I can be your guiding light.’.

Remember to follow me on IG for progress of my book #dollgift_ihaveawish!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Adventure (I Have A Wish)

So I have a dream to publish my very own picture book(s). I know I’ve been saying it for years and still, no book in sight. Occasionally, friends would ask about my progress and I'd smiled sheepishly in reply. The fact is, I had ideas for the book and even came out with complete drafts on two stories but somehow they just didn't feel 'good enough’. At least not enough to drive me forward. Today as I was going through my old sketches again, I suddenly had an idea - perhaps I can get you guys to do it together with me! It would be really interesting to see what we can come out with together. Okay, so here’s my plan - I’m going to need you guys to give me ideas for the book while keeping these points in mind:

1. It has to be animal related. No violence/ cruelty of any kind please. It could be something to raise awareness for animal welfare though (just a thought).
2. It has to start with ‘I have a wish… I wish _____________________.'
3. Be as imaginative and whimsy as possible coz that’s my style! It can be a personal story, something you experienced in your dreams or, just be creative!

I’ve done up a sample for you. Image 1 - ‘I have a wish...’ Image 2 - ‘I wish my teddy bear could come to life and we would go on adventures together.’ You can comment below my post or send me your idea. Send in as many as you like. If your idea gets chosen, I will credit you AND draw you in as the character.

Honestly I have no idea where this is going or if I’ll be publishing the book at all. But I do know for sure I have to start taking baby steps OR I’ll just continue to sit here and procrastinate. If this is something that interest you, start throwing me your ideas. Also, please help to get this message out so we can have more people join us. I’ll post whatever I can come out with as we go along. Have fun!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Custom Family Portrait/ Baby Announcement

Commissioned family portrait: Baby announcement with Disney/ Spring theme. This is another surprise gift order (so much love lately!) from a sweet husband to his beautiful wife who will be due in April. (Okay someone finds me a husband like that pls! Ha!). This has to be the most detailed piece I’d ever done thus far and I’m very happy with the result. I was told this morning that his wife received the art piece and was in happy tears. Knowing that clients love their order and appreciate my effort is the most rewarding thing for me. I’m not going to tag them in this post until they make the announcement themselves. I’m so excited for the arrival of their baby! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. I love this piece so much too.

Client's note: ''I wanted to thank you again for creating such a wonderful gift, a keepsake that will be the centerpiece of our little girl's nursery. I gave the artwork to her last night and right when she unwrapped it she began to cry and said "You got me a Dollgift!?" She was awestruck and totally surprised. She said it captures so much. You can by all means share now! Thank you again.'' - Kevin (United States)

disneyfamilyportrait-dollgift.png

If you’d also like to have your pet drawn, get in touch for a quote or visit my shop page for more details!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Custom Pet Portraits

Commissioned pet portrait 1: Phoebe with her signature head tilt. Isn’t she a cute little angel? Thank you @didel613 for ordering this to surprise Diane. You’re the sweetest friend anyone can ask for.

Clients's note: ''It’s so realistic looking wow, and I can also feel the her staring at me! I hope Diane, Phoebes Mom will love it as much as I do...I think she will. I can’t honestly thank you enough for your willingness to do this, and your time and love you put into it. It really shows!'' - Diane (United States)

Recipient's note: ''A sincere thank you to @didel613 for commissioning this amazing portrait of my sweet Phoebe. I can’t stop looking at it! Also thanks to the artist @dollgift You have perfectly captured her vibe. I am in awe of your talent. Thank you both, from the bottom of my heart.'' Waltersphoebe (United States)

Commissioned pet portrait 2: I waited to share this piece for a long time. It was meant to be a surprise; I wanted the recipient to see it first so as not to ruin their surprise. Custom orders such as this always make me happy knowing that someone cares alot to want to do something special for their loved one. And it was my absolute pleasure they entrusted me to help. For this particular piece, a group of friends decided to come together to comfort a friend - Michelle had lost her beloved dog recently. The best part is, I know some of them had only met through Instagram (one thing I love about social media!). I was touched beyond words by their sweet gesture. Thank you for letting me be a part of this. A special thanks to @didel613 for the correspondence and for making this happen. You guys are amazing. Thank you for letting me know you love the art piece and for the permission to share your photo as well, Michelle - I hope you find some comfort everytime you look at this drawing. Know that you and Peanut are very loved by many friends. @peanut_dachshund. 💜

Recipient's note: ''I got the most beautiful gift today from my amazing friends. I cannot thank y’all enough for coming together to make this gift possible I’ve been looking at this painting for hours you have no idea how much this mean to me. It’s perfect in every way you guys really put the biggest smile on my face today. A big thank you to the artists @dollgift for taking the time to make this for my family and I, You are so talented and I’m so blessed to have one your art pieces. Thank you again to me amazing instagram Family I don’t know what I would do without you! Peanut I hope you can see this beautiful painting from heaven and I hope you makes you happy. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about you but now when I see this picture I will smile and remember the memories we made that day. I love you old man & don’t forget you are my sunshine.'' - Michelle (United States)

If you’d also like to have your pet drawn, get in touch for a quote or visit my shop page for more details!

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Always In My Heart

It has been 3 years today since I lost a piece of my heart. Although it has been that long, it still feels like yesterday. Nono was diagnosed with mast cell tumor a week after my dad’s unexpected passing. Even with cancer cells showing all around his body, he was still his playful, goofy self. I thought, or was hoping he would eventually get better with western/chinese medications and a stricted diet. But that only lasted for 8 months. His condition took a turn for the worst overnight. Suddenly he was refusing food which was very unlikely of him. I hugged him close to sleep that night, praying that he would feel better the next day. When dawn came, he was unresponsive. Then he had a seizure in his unconscious state. I was feeling so scared and helpless all alone at home at that time. I remember running around the block with his lifeless body in my arms frantically trying to flag down a cab to get to the vet (for some reason, the cab I called didn’t show up). But no one would stop their car. I was crying and praying so hard for help. I was a wreck. My boy didn’t wake up since that day. As I gaze up at the sky each night, I think about our evening walks in the park. I miss his cheeky face. I miss holding him close in my arms again. I’m sorry, I wasn’t a great pawrent to you.. I wish I could have done so much more. I hope you knew you were loved till the very end. For now, I’ll just keep you close in my heart till we meet again.

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Lost In Your Eyes

“There might be millions of roses in the whole world, but you’re my only one, unique rose.” - The Little Prince

I did two colour variations and couldn’t decide which one I like more - both colours create a very different mood. Which do you prefer?

If you would like to customise an illustration, feel free to get in touch with me! 💜

❤ Blessings, Charllotte

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea

Thinking of what to get for a Valentine’s day gift? We might just have the perfect idea for you. How about a one-of-a-kind couple portrait for that special someone? Send us reference photos or share your ideas with us; we will use our imagination and creativity to turn your stories into an exquisite illustration! We offer various packages, depending on what you need. Get in touch with us for a quote or visit our Custom Couple Portrait page for more details. 😍

❤ Blessings, Charllotte