I think I just got beaten by my own dog

So, you remember the fundraiser for Spay and Neuter Syracuse, called Pawcasso, that I blogged about a little while back?  To summarize, I donated a print of a painting I did of my dog.  I also donated a painting BY my dog, more specifically, a Basset hound ear painting:

Pawcasso 2011 was a lovely event, and there was an incredible number of pieces that had been donated by human and animal artists alike.  The donated art included paintings, photography, sculpture, prints, pottery, and fabric arts, and some of the contributing artists are extremely talented.  There were plenty of animal artists who contributed, too, including the expected dogs and cats, but also more exotic critters such as an elephant and a penguin.  There were also lots of other donations to the silent auction and raffles, ranging from gift certificates for everything from restaurants to car washes, and beautiful gift baskets. 

The venue was packed to the rafters, which is especially impressive when you consider the price of the tickets. There was barely room to navigate the bidding tables, and trying to do so with any kind of refreshment in your hand was certainly at your own risk of winding up wearing said refreshments.  It was wonderful to see so much community support for such a great organization.  I did plenty of bidding but got out-bid on most of the pieces I wanted.  I did, however, manage to acquire a painting by a humboldt penguin by stalking the bidding table right up to the minute before the silent auction closed:

I love those cute little penguin foot prints!

Simon's piece gave me a run for my money.  For a while the bidding was higher on Simon's painting than on my own.  I watched the bidding sheets with more anxiety than I would like to admit.  Apparently my ego did not want to have my artwork, which I had expended considerable time and effort on, sell for less than ear art by my dog.  I felt so relieved that my piece sold for considerably more in the end. 

Until last week, that is.  I got a call from the folks who sponsored the event to let me know that Simon won the award for "best animal art" for Pawcasso 2011.  *Sigh*.  I think my own dog just out-arted me!

Here's the budding artist, checking out his gift basket.  Too bad he's not a coffee drinker - looks like I shall have to appreciate the goods instead!