Sir Bentley Art
What does your start-up business do? I make whimsical recreations of dogs, cats and just about any other animals. My goal is to capture both the looks and personality of the pets from the photos the pet owners send me. Each figure is handmade, unique, and gives people a way to memorialize the emotional bond […]
What does your start-up business do?
I make whimsical recreations of dogs, cats and just about any other animals. My goal is to capture both the looks and personality of the pets from the photos the pet owners send me. Each figure is handmade, unique, and gives people a way to memorialize the emotional bond they have with their pets. With about 80 million dog owners and 86 million cat owners in the US alone, the potential market for my figures is nearly endless. Sir Bentley Art will also continue to use its creative abilities to help raise money for animal rescue groups.
How did your venture start?
The idea for the business was the result of hundreds of comments and inquiries on Facebook in December when I made a Nativity Set to raffle as a benefit to dog rescue groups. I also created a video called the ‘Hound Nativity’ using the figures I made as the characters in the play. It was a huge hit and the set raised almost $3,000 for four rescue groups in the US and UK. The figures were so popular, that I was bombarded with requests from pet lovers in many countries to make this a business and create custom replicas of their own pets.
How will you use the $10,000 cash prize to help your start-up?
I will use the prize money to help convert my basement into a workspace and storage area. I need storage cabinets and work tables plus an area specifically set up to photograph the art pieces.
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bentley art i well recommend
What a GREAT idea!!! I wish you the BEST of luck, Sir Bentley!!! (I have 5 dogs myself.)
These figures are awesome and capture the real character of the animal, to own one of these would be a real honour. They are amazing you have to take a look. The money they have raised alone for worthy causes deserves real credit and recognition.
Superb models made by an exceptional person, whose love of animals shines out of every model made. They are all real characters everyone of them.
I love the Sir Bentley Art figurines. Bonnie made a singing replica of my whippet Alice for the Nativity mentioned in the article. She absolutely nailed it. Not only was the likeness spot on, but she managed to capture Alice’s sweet nature as well.
Wishing Bonnie and Sir Bentley Art nothing but success!
Debbie Lloyd (aka Alice’s Mom)
An incredibly talented artist with a heart – what more could we ask for. I love your work and I wish you much success. Your success is nothing but a gain for all those animals in need.
Sir Bentley Art captures a memory forever. My older dog is starting to fail and Sir Bentley captured his personality perfectly in his clay “portrait”. I will lose Geoffrey some day but will have his memory forever thanks to Sir Bentley.
Sir Bentley’s art is truly amazing…the likeness to actual individuals is absolutely incredible! What talent!
Sir Bentley Art is amazing! I am the proud owner of the Amber and puppies set and Bonnie captured all of their personalities perfectly … I look forward to owning more.
Sir Bentley Art is a unique and wonderful company. The figurines that Bonnie makes are very special. Each dog figurine is a piece of art and truly captures the personality of the subject. I also love the fact that this company supports rescue on a regular basis by donating figurines for auction at no cost. Thank you Hardimans!!
I cannot express how much I love Sir Bentley Art. Bonnie has a heart of gold and her talents are endless. Her figurines capture each animals characteristics to a T in all stages of their lives. Their personalities really shine through to the point of tears. We love you, Bonnie and Bentley!! <3
I am the grandmother and the owner of Bentley’s birth mom…Bonnie’s art work and passion to help these rescue groups not only in the United States is amazing…we all pray that Sir Bentley Art Wins…She has truly captured the look of each and every animal she creates right down to the spots…I couldn’t think of a more deserving person to be the winner…!!!!
I absolutely love the Hound Nativity – it is just adorable. You can see Bonnie’s love of animals in her artwork and also in her efforts to support rescues. I think Sir Bentley’s Art is a wonderful way to incorporate both.
Bonnie’s figurines are breathtaking and so personalized!! She is so deserving of this prize, she always gives back to animals in need, go, Bonnie!!!
Incredible work, I love both see the pictures … all perfection placed on minimal details! Parabens, very beautiful work!
A great talent used to bless many pet lovers and through her charity work, many needy animals! Good luck!
I dream of owning one of Sir Bentley Art’s wonderful pieces. The amount of time spent in creating one of these works of art, as well as the wonderful talent of the artist, shows through in the magic that she creates each and every time. Her work makes people smile, and isn’t that what is truly important? Especially in cases where someone has lost a pet, Sir Bentley Art gives that person so much more than just a memory – it is a piece of love that can be touched and put in a place of honor. The figure becomes a memorial to a wonderful four-legged friend. What a fantastic idea!
My heart is full of love and gratitude when I see these wonderful comments. To my friends who have given me support and advice and love..THANK YOU! I love you all and my solemn promise is to always “Paw it Forward”!
I love Sir Bentley Art, they make a difference! My Ruby is a figurine in their Hounds and Roses band set that if being Raffled off for Michigan Basset Rescue, the whole set is amazing!
I love looking at all the figures she creates. You can just feel the love that she puts into every one of them.
Sir Bentley Art help so may rescues by donating unique pieces of art, each of which manage to perfectly capture a little piece of the heart, soul and personality of the subject. They support and encourage, and most importantly care enough to help save lives. I wish them all the very best always from across the little pond, here in the UK.
Sir Bentley Art immortalised my beloved Blue. We lost Blue in May 2012 after a long battle with illness. Having a characature of him means more than anyone will ever know. He used to wear glasses to protect his eyes from the wind and dust. Diabetes had turned him blind and he was prone to infection. His characature even has glasses.
I love the caring heart that Bonnie puts into each and every animal she creates, and her hear for rescue is just incredible! I couldn’t think of a more deserving winner for getting her business started. Not only will the person have a figure of their beloved always but we can also know that rescues will be helped tremendously.
Wonderfully sculpted objects of art! And they give back to Animal rescues – what could be better?!!
I love you Bentley!
these figurines are fabulous and so full of “life” unique !!
Sir Bentley Art is unique the figures are fabulous and bonnie a very talented lady.
Sir Bentley Art makes beautiful creations that really capture the personality of the individual animals!
Bonnie’s work is absoulutely fabulous! I am going to be ordering 1 of my Scottish Terrier and my Basset Hound (who looks very much like Bentley) :)
I’ve been lucky enough to contact the family Hardiman for the love of Basset Hound and all animals in general.This project has my support and I believe that is a great idea the art together with solidarity, support this alternative Along with his creator lovely friend Bonnie Hardiman.Best wishes to see this company grow !!All my love for inspiring mentored “Sir Bentley Art”