Dogs • Cats • Horses • Rabbits
My Approach • Memorial Portraits
Dog Portraits
Cat Portraits
Horse Portraits
Rabbit Portaits
Portrait Paintings of Animals
I approach pet portraits much like I approach portraits of people, seeking personality, narrative, and mood. Insight from the patron is often invaluable in commissioned paintings. Many of my pet portraits are painted from photographs taken by the owner rather than by me. We have such close relationships with our animals, and no one knows better than their favorite companion when a dog is happy and comfortable. It’s often easier for you to capture that perfect, familiar expression.
Getting the perfect shot can be challenging, though, so if you’d like help or tips, please reach out. I’m always happy to assist or even come help photograph your pet in person if youre in the greater Seattle area.
I have been fortunate to have a life filled with all sorts of animals to befriend and inspire me. My family has kept goats, chickens, sheep, cows, rabbits, horses, dogs, cats, bees, a pig, parrot, and a pond full of frogs. Though I’ve yet to paint each of the species listed above, I’m working on it!
Read about some of my commissioned pet portraits pictured above in detail on my blog.
Memorial Portraits
A pet portrait oil painting has a life of its own that makes the subject feel close. It’s especially fitting as a way to memorialize these wonderful creatures who never live long enough. Loving and losing a pet brings home both our mortality and the depth of our bond with them. However long a pet’s life may be, it always feels brief compared to ours, and all intense loves are met with intense losses.
Portraits, in their way, defy this mortality and soften the loss. It’s hard to explain why a painting can feel more significant than, say, the photo it’s based on, but I believe it’s the care and intention that go into its making. I love knowing that all the smiling dogs and bright-eyed cats I’ve painted will remain just as lively in their portraits for generations to come. They offer joy and comfort to their companions now, and to countless viewers long after all of us are gone. I think that’s a lovely tribute to the bond we share with animals, and it’s an honor to create these portraits.
Go to my commission page to learn more about commissioning your own pet portrait, or contact me to get started. You can also read more about past commissions and client testimonials on my blog.