Capturing dogs for Hollywood stars

A self-described "Maori boy from Tauranga" has become artist to the stars after painting more than 100 portraits of man's best friend.

Graphic artist Graham Hoete, also known as Mr G, has struck a deal with Hollywood actor and former rapper Ice T and his glamour model wife Coco, to paint a portrait of their British bulldog, Spartacus.

The couple star in reality television show Ice Loves Coco, which airs on the E! channel.

Mr Hoete saw how much the couple adored their dog and after a quick Google search, made contact with their manager. The couple agreed to the portrait and a picture of Spartacus was sent to Mr Hoete this week.

In return for the portrait, Ice T and Coco will tell their celebrity friends about Mr Hoete's work.

"Now Ice T and Coco are on-board. That's a big 'yes' for me," Mr Hoete said.

He planned to use the deal as a foot in the door to other dog-loving stars such as Sharon Osbourne, who has 12 dogs.

Mr Hoete has already painted and presented a portrait to international "dog whisperer" Cesar Millan, his first celebrity dog portrait.

"At first I thought 'I'm just a Maori boy here in Tauranga, how am I going to make contact with him in LA.?'

"Now I've got a solid connection with him and his management which wouldn't have come about if I didn't believe I could do this thing."

A television show based on Mr Hoete and his work is now in the works with Mr Millan's management team.

"All dog owners know it's a special bond you and your dog have," he said.

"Coco probably has a lot of clothing and jewellery offered to her but what goes to her heart will be her dog because her dog is her baby.

Mr Hoete and his wife have experienced the heartbreak of not being able to have children. They have tried IVF three times.

Instead, their "baby girl" is Honey, an American bulldog who was gifted to them 14 months ago.

"Our dogs hold quite a special place in our hearts so yeah ... we have a genuine love for our dogs."

Earlier this month, Mr Hoete completed portrait number 100 as part of his "Dogathon" project that started nearly two years ago.

The Dogathon involved painting 100 dog portraits for dog owners throughout New Zealand. Many were tribute pieces for dogs who had died.

In July, Mr Hoete plans to cross the Tasman Sea to launch an Australian Dogathon.

Ultimately, Mr Hoete wanted to create a world-wide Dogathon involving 10 countries. "It's pretty full on. So I'm just keeping my head down and bum up and working hard," Mr Hoete said.