Dear Raven,
I received your portrait of Rosamunda today. Now that I have regained my composure, and dried my tears, I must thank you. It is perfect.
I read poetry quite a bit. There has always been an enigma surrounding the last lines of Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." Volumes have been written trying to explain what those lines mean. I think, well, really I know, that this refers to the honesty or truth that is inherent in the production of a thing of beauty. When the qualities appear together, they are inseparable yet, paradoxically, separately they are rarely found, and ephemeral. The combination of the two is enduring and ageless. Your talent exhibits that you possess each and I am grateful. I am not the sort who goes around conceitedly handing out blessings. Yet I feel compelled to say "Bless you". Thank you is common and muttered as courtesy. "Bless you" reveals gratitude rooted and enduring.
Bless you for giving me the benefit of your talent and the resultant perfect portrait of my beloved kitten.

Truly,
Denise

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Dear Raven,
I'm certain you have heard it one million time -- "the picture of my (his, her, their, etc.) dog was perfect and I will always be grateful," or some such accolades. Well, this is intended to be the million-and-first. I had dinner with my friend Bob last week. It was the first time I have seen him since I sent him the artwork you did of his old Spec dog, and he broke down with emotion as he told me how much it meant to him. Maybe it's age, maybe it's widsom, maybe it's compassion -- but as we all get older we get more sensitive, and willing to express our feelings. Men in particular have a tough time openly expressing their feelings. Isn't it interesting that love and respect for a dog could be the genesis of such feelings between two otherwise "normal" adult men. Thanks so much, Raven. It is something I will never forget and that I will always cherish. Bob and his wife told me that the portrait of Spec is hanging on the wall just outside their bedroom at the ranch, right where Spec always met Bob in the morning, and that they love the fact that "now she's still there!"

Thank you a million and one times!
V.G.

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Hello Raven,
The portrait of Maggie arrived today - I was so excited to open it I practically ran down the stairs when the mailman rang the bell! I can not think of enough great words to describe how wonderful it is!!! You've absolutely captured the "essence" of Maggie - better than any photograph or anything else I can think of ever could. You can see in her eyes all that energy and excitement, the love and affection, and the incredible intelligence and intensity. It's phenomenal!!!  I know Brian is going to be positively THRILLED when he sees it! He definitely has a soft spot in his heart when it comes to "his" girl, and I know he's just going to burst into tears when he sees this. The hard part is that now I have to keep it "under wraps" until his birthday. EEEK!  That's going to be nearly impossible, because I'm just SO excited about how it came out! Thanks also for sending the information about the other items we can get the image on. Given the fantastic job you did, we're going to want it on practically EVERYTHING!

You truly have a gift for this!!!
With Very Best Wishes and Many Thanks,
Monique

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Bo was my baby. 15 years and I did love that dog. She loved people and was an absolute sweetheart. My brother nicknamed her "The original Love Sponge" and she was....unless, of course, you tried to take the turkey neck away from her at Thanksgiving. Slept with me every night and loved to ride in the car. It did break my heart when I had to put her down. And, even tho that was 21 years ago, I still sense the loss. Your picture brings a bit of her back to life.

Thanks again!!!!!!!!
Steve

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Hi Raven,
Received the portrait today, oh my god, it is beautiful. We are thrilled. You captured her perfectly, I could actually hear her whining and talking. We are bringing it to our agility trial tomorrow to show all our friends and then I can't wait to have it framed!! Thank you so much, you did a great job. I am sending you another to do really soon.

Thanks again so much!
D.K.

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Dear Raven,
I wanted to let you know that the picture you did of my Champ is beautiful. I have him framed and hanging in my living room. It was such a wonderful gift that Brenda gave me and I cannot begin to tell you of the beautiful job you did. Everytime I look at the picture I just expect for him to give me a friendly bark. Those big dark eyes of his that always sparkled are still sparkling and his tooth is still sticking outside his lip. You also captured his spirit. Thank you again and for sharing your talent of also capturing Champ's soul and spirit and giving that to me.

Susan

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Hi Raven --
The portrait of Coon is absolutely beautiful and it will always be very special to us. Email is great but I wanted to send you a note (I think it's a little more personal) thanking you for a great job, hope you received it. The framing was done very professionally and it compliments the portrait.

Thanks again, Gwen

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Raven --Captain's portrait arrived today, and all I can say is, "WOW!!!" Looking at the portrait you've drawn is like looking at him in real life. Somehow you managed to capture his heart and soul in your portrait, and I couldn't be happier. It's so wonderful that it brought a tear to my eye and I can't quit staring at it! :) Thanks again so very much. It is more beautiful than I could have even hoped it would be!

Phyllis

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Raven,
I just got my picture of Snickers and it is just perfect. I will now tell you that I am the pickiest person! But it is just better than I ever expected. Certainly you captured Snickers perfectly. I will send the remainder of the money immediately. Just know that you have more than a satisfied customer. I will have it framed and it will be a great Christmas gift for my husband.