LuLu Bella

• Custom, contemporary paintings of pets

Price: $50 and up (LuLu Bella art); $500 and up (commissions)

Where you can get it: LuLu Bella Art Gallery, the Livable Home and lulubellaart.com

Business owner: Julia McClurg

Locations: Denver

Tidbits: Artist Julia McClurg knows firsthand how much joy is associated with having a furry, four-legged friend as part of the family. After all, her muse just happens to be her Italian greyhound named LuLu Bella, who is featured in every painting of McClurg's LuLu Bella and her Worldly Travels series.

"She's been in vineyards, New York and on Colfax," McClurg said. "Each scene is bright, whimsical and a bit like cartoons."

McClurg also does custom paintings of pets, which entail traveling to a client's house to take photos of the pet in its homey surroundings and get a feel for the interior décor. For an additional fee, she will turn the custom pet painting into a set of greeting cards.

"With the commissions I try to capture the pet's personality using the same bright, whimsical format."

McClurg and her LuLu Bella art will be showcased Oct. 5 at the Orange Cat Gallery in LoDo.

For more information: lulubellaart.com or 303-455-6943

Peaceful Mountain Inc.

• Natural health care products

Price: Varies by retailer

Where you can get it: Natural-food stores, Pharmaca and peacefulmountain.com

Business owners: Privately held

Location: Boulder

Tidbits: Peaceful Mountain offers several all-natural remedies, from sinus, cold and throat rescues, to shingles, muscle and tendon rescues.

The company also offers a Travel Rescue Kit that includes four of the company's products specifically packaged together for vacationers who would rather be safe than sorry.

The best part? Each product is made with natural ingredients such as devil's claw, an anti-inflammatory herb; white willow, used for aches and pains; and ionic colloidal silver, used to support immune system health.

"Our topical line, featuring the muscle, tendon, joints, arthritis, and back and neck rescues, also includes arnica, another herb associated with pain and swelling," said Chris Groutt, vice president of sales and marketing.

"All of our products are made here in Boulder and are tested for safety and efficacy."

For more information: peacefulmountain.com or 1-888-303-3388