Custom Dog Portraits by JVK

LAST WEEK WHEN Second String Music was still open, Jeff VanKanegan stopped by and noticed the guitars on the wall with pictures of our  dogs. Jeff is a graphic artist and a retired Quincy Notre Dame teacher. I played many a memorable Cheeseburger gig with him - he's a founding member and amazing bass player. He's still out there doing his art and playing music.

We started talking and we asked Jeff if he would consider doing a portrait of Sheryl's beloved border collie, Lucy, who passed away 6 years ago and was the love of her life. Jeff said sure. Sheryl sent him a couple of her favorite Lucy photos and Jeff went to work. Yesterday I picked it up and it's incredible.

This is so much more than just a painting or a portrait or a rendering - it's a piece of us, and it has enormous meaning.

Jeff does Custom Dog Portraits and his prices are reasonable. People say, "Why would you pay for a painting?" Well, why do you pay just as much a month for cable or your phone? Art is just as essential. It's expressed in many forms and you can't put a price on it.

These are tough times for a lot of people, but if you have the ability to support a local artist and you want a memory to last a lifetime and beyond, text him at (217) 779-4001. I guarantee you will love it. We have a perfect and heartfelt painting of Lucy to prove it!