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Winston Wins an Honorable Mention in Artists Magazine’s Best in Show | Pets Competition

by In Awards &. Competitions, Pet Portrait, Publications Tagged , , , , ,

I’m honored to share that my portrait of Winston received an Honorable Mention in Artists Magazine’s 4th Annual Best in Show | Pets art competition. The painting was inspired by Winston’s close relationship with his owner—a dear friend known for his animal sculptures and patterned plywood furniture. Winston is not just a subject but a true studio companion, so incorporating elements of a piece from Michael’s workshop made it all the more personal.

The work was selected by juror Emma Colbert, who offered this thoughtful commentary:

“I love when a background sets the scene and the lighting in a pet portrait. Winston’s surroundings are perfect, and the care taken in capturing his character is noticeable. Tonally, this is a little masterpiece using light and shade to create a whole world for Winston in that beautiful round format.”
— Emma Colbert, Juror

The winning pieces—including Winston—are featured in the September/October 2025 issue of Artists Magazine and are now available to view online.

See all winners here:
It’s Reigning Cats and Dogs »

🐾 See the Top Dogs (including Winston) here:
Top Dog Winners »

Dog pet portrait oil painting by Rebecca Luncan
Winston, 5 x 5″, oil on aluminum

Thank you to Artists Magazine and juror Emma Colbert for recognizing Winston. I’m delighted to have this portrait included alongside so many heartfelt and beautifully rendered works.

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Princess, the Siamese Cat

by In Commission, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

From Seattle to Sydney, and Into a Frame Worthy of a Queen

Last year, I had the joy of painting a miniature pet portrait of a truly majestic Siamese cat named Princess. The finished piece traveled halfway around the world—from Seattle to Sydney—where it now lives in the home of her loving human, Danielle.

This commission was special from the start, not only because of Princess’s striking presence, but also because I was able to use one of Tom Matthews’ coveted handmade Dutch ripple frames. These handcrafted tondo (circular frames) are rare treasures, and if ever a cat deserved one, it was Princess. The final painting measured just 5.25″ x 5.25″, but the presence it carries is much larger.

Capturing Princess: A Commanding and Intimate Gaze

Princess was depicted in a regal pose, lounging on a rose-colored blanket with a soft floral texture. Her creamy fur and striking golden eyes stood out against a muted green-gray background, giving the whole piece a sense of depth and calm.

From Danielle:

“I’m overwhelmed with how exact her portrait is, it’s just like she’s having a conversation with me through the portrait, just as you planned.”

Those words are the highest praise. That quiet sense of connection is exactly what I aim to capture in every portrait.

siamese oil portrait painting by Rebecca Luncan

A Lovely Collaboration

Danielle was a dream client: warm, thoughtful, and deeply connected to her cat. Working with her to bring Princess’s portrait to life was a true pleasure. From our initial conversations to the moment she saw the final painting, the process felt collaborative and full of care. If you’re curious about how my commission process works, you can learn more here.

It’s always an honor to be trusted with such a personal commission. Portraits like these are more than just likenesses—they’re tributes to beloved companions and the lives they shared with us.

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Mother’s Day and the Art of Breakfast

by In Limited Edition Print Tagged , ,

This month’s featured print is Blueberry Pancakes—a tribute to comfort, ritual, and the kind of quiet morning we all dream of, especially mothers.

Originally painted for the Monthly Miniatures, Creature Comfort series in May, this piece was my version of the perfect Mother’s Day breakfast: pancakes stacked high with melting butter, a rich latte in a Blue Willow cup, and a single iris in an antique hand vase.

The composition echoes the Dutch still life tradition, but with a distinctly contemporary touch. It’s about everyday beauty—something made by hand, savored slowly, and shared with love.

Limited edition print from original painting of Blueberry pancakes by Rebecca Luncan

Fine art prints of this piece are now available in the shop.
Printed on archival paper, signed, and ready to ship.

Order by Tuesday, May 7th for Mother’s Day delivery.

Thank you for supporting handmade work. 💙

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Winston & Sloop: A Pair of Pet Portraits

by In Awards &. Competitions, Commission, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , ,

These two portraits—of Winston the dog and Sloop the cat—were painted for my longtime friend Michael Alm, a sculptor and furniture maker whose distinctive patterned plywood designs often appear in his work. Michael’s eye for materials and love for his pets made this pair especially meaningful to paint.

Capturing Winston

Winston, a black-and-white mixed breed dog, is shown seated in front of one of Michael’s plywood cabinets. I knew from the start that I wanted to include the signature texture and angles of the furniture in this piece. The lighting is direct, casting sharp reflections on the concrete floor and giving the portrait a grounded, contemporary atmosphere.

Because of the highly detailed nature of my painting process, it’s essential that the composition is finalized before I pick up a brush. In the original reference photo, a dark cushion intersected Winston’s head—visually distracting and not ideal for framing his face. I digitally repositioned the furniture so that his head was cradled by a clean section of patterned plywood. The cabinet’s perspective and Winston’s gaze naturally lead your eye to the left, but a carefully placed handle at the edge of the painting subtly redirects your attention, bringing you back into the portrait.

Dog pet portrait oil painting by Rebecca Luncan

A Portrait of Sloop

Sloop, Michael’s ginger cat, was painted lounging on a sofa, one of his favorite spots. I included one of his toys in the foreground and modified the background to echo the teal green of his eyes, a decision that emphasized his vibrant coloring. Unlike Winston’s more structured setting, Sloop’s portrait is softer and more intimate—matching his feline charm.

orange Cat portrait oil painting by Rebecca Luncan

Honored Recognition

The portrait of Winston received an Honorable Mention in The Artist Network’s 4th Annual Best of Show | Pets Art Competition. It will be featured alongside other winners in the September/October 2025 issue of Artists Magazine and on ArtistsNetwork.com.

More About Michael Alm

Michael’s work as a sculptor and woodworker is both thoughtful and meticulous. You can explore his creations on his website almfab.com or follow his build videos and creative projects on his YouTube channel, which has over 600,000 subscribers.

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In the Company of Red

by In Monthly Miniature Tagged , , , ,

Chasing Color No. 1

Chasing Color is a new series of miniature paintings that explores how a single hue can influence mood, memory, and meaning. Each piece centers around one dominant color, building a world from fruits, florals, porcelain, and wildlife. The technique is classical, inspired by Dutch Golden Age still life, but the stories are personal—drawn from my life, home, and history.

This first painting is a meditation on red: bold, passionate, and deeply rooted in memory.

A Cardinal’s Comfort

The cardinal has always meant “home” to me. Growing up in the Midwest, they were a familiar flash of color in winter trees, and even now, seeing one feels like a kind of homecoming. In this painting, the bird perches on a porcelain bowl inspired by an 18th-century Chinese piece from The Met. Its deep Sang de Boeuf glaze mirrors the cardinal’s feathers and also nods to my former life as a mountmaker at the Seattle Art Museum, where I spent 14 years working with pieces like this.

From My Garden

The other elements are more grounded—literally. Every fruit and flower came from my own garden. The cherries were from my tree’s final season; it died not long after, but not before gifting me the biggest harvest I’d ever had. I took dozens of reference photos (and baked two pies!) from that one harvest. Since cherries are often symbols of paradise, maybe it’s time I plant another.

A painted lady butterfly, emblem of transformation, rests on a leaf. We’ve raised and released three rounds of these butterflies from tiny caterpillars—it’s a magical process, and one I love sharing with my kids. The strawberries? Let’s just say I believe every garden should have them. Homegrown strawberries taste like a completely different fruit than the store bought variety.

still life cardinal cherries in progress contemporary realism by Rebecca Luncan

Generational Threads

And then there’s the poppy. My grandfather, who emigrated from Romania in the 1920s, loved poppies. My dad grew them in remembrance of him, and now I grow them for my dad. It’s a small tradition, but a meaningful one—and one that made its way into this painting.

It’s incredible how much can be packed into a 5 x 5″ space. Even a single strawberry can carry a story.

This piece, In the Company of Red, is now on its way to its new home in San Francisco. I hope it brings a little warmth, a little memory, and maybe a spark of connection to its new home.

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Pomegranates, Walnuts, and a Birding Swallowtail: Finishing My Swallowtail Butterfly Painting Series

by In Monthly Miniature Tagged , , , ,

oil on copper, 4.5 x 5.5

Making oil paintings is slow, thoughtful work. Before my brush ever touches a copper panel, the process involves weeks of gathering inspiration, researching, photographing references, creating digital mock-ups, and preparing my surface.

In an age of instant AI-generated artwork, I see the value in slowing down. Painters have faced similar upheavals since the invention of photography—and yet painting endures. I believe there’s a reason: nothing replaces the depth and intimacy of handmade art.

pomegranate walnuts and butterfly still life oil painting by Rebecca Luncan in progress

A Series Two Years in the Making

This month marks a milestone: the twelfth and final piece in my Swallowtail Butterfly Painting Series. Over the past two years, my “monthly” miniatures have been more “bi-monthly” miniatures as I navigate life with a new member of the family. Even with all the chaos of going through pregenancy and having a demanding infant I’m the primary caregiver for, I’ve somehow completed one painting after another, each pairing a swallowtail species with unique botanical elements. This final work celebrates not just the butterfly but the joy of slow, intentional living.

Slow Food, Slow Art

To highlight that theme, I included two of my favorite “slow foods”: pomegranates and walnuts. Sure, you can buy them prepped and packaged. But if you’ve ever cracked a walnut or dug out the seeds from a pomegranate, you know the quiet satisfaction that comes from doing it yourself.

The same can be said for painting. My work takes time—and that time adds flavor.

Featuring the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing

still life oill painitng pomegranate walnuts and birdwing swallowtail butterfly framed by Rebecca Luncan

This painting features a male Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing butterfly, part of the Papilionidae family (which includes all swallowtails). These dazzling creatures are native to rainforests across Southeast Asia and have a wingspan of up to 6.5 inches. Their vivid green-and-black coloring makes them look like flying stained glass. In fact, they’re so large they’re often mistaken for birds—hence the name “birdwing.”

What Comes After the Swallowtails?

The past year brought big changes—especially having a one-year-old at home. Time for painting has been more limited, and I’ve learned to be gentle with myself and realistic with my goals.

So instead of monthly miniatures, my next project will ofically unfold as bi-monthly miniature paintings throughout 2025 and 2026. I’ve been deep in the planning stage—sketching, researching, and refining ideas—and I’m almost ready to begin.

Thank you for following along on this journey. I hope you’ll continue with me as the next series takes flight.

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Introducing Artist Joey Bates

by In Inspiration

I’m thrilled to introduce you to a dear friend and incredibly talented artist, Joey Bates, who has recently taken on the Monthly Miniature challenge alongside me. Joey and I first met years ago in Seattle at a weekly open studio co-hosted by artist Tim Marsden and myself. Though Joey now lives in Sweden, we’ve been able to rekindle that creative exchange through Signal, thanks to a fellow artist and mutual friend, Susan Lewandowski.

This month, Joey and I decided to take on a shared theme: dragonflies. Scroll down to see his November miniature—a stunningly intricate cut-paper dragonfly that showcases his signature precision and attention to detail.

If you’re not yet familiar with Joey’s work, I can’t recommend it highly enough. His pieces are thoughtful, beautiful, and quietly powerful. I’m so excited to see where the Monthly Miniature journey takes him, and I hope you’ll follow along too.

You can contact Joey directly to inquire about purchasing this piece, sign up for his newsletter to stay updated on new work, and be sure to check out his brand-new flower shop that just opened!

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Dragonfly, Butterfly, and Columbine

by In Monthly Miniature

As November’s chill settles in and the leaves skitter around outside, I’m bringing a little warmth to the season with a new monthly miniature painting—a composition drawn from memories of summer in the garden.

Sixteen years ago, I transformed our quarter-acre lawn into a terraced garden. It’s become a haven for life— fruit trees, hundreds of flowers, a vegetable patch, dragonflies from nearby Lake Stickney, and a revolving door of pollinators and birds. On any sunny day, it feels like stepping into a living still life.

With such abundance to choose from, selecting elements for this painting was like plucking gems from a tree. I take hundreds of flower photos each season, and my husband and I photograph insects and birds whenever we can. But combining them into a single harmonious composition isn’t always as simple as it sounds.

This painting had been on my mind since May. I sketched dozens of versions—none of them quite right. But as often happens in the creative process, the pieces churned quietly in the background until, months later, everything finally clicked. It’s always a little mysterious—and always a surprise when it happens that way.

in progress still life painting of dragondly butterfly and columbine by Rebecca Luncan

A Conversation with the Past

If you’re a fan of art history, you might see echoes of Jan van Kessel in this piece. His jewel-like insect, shell, and flower studies have long inspired me. There’s even a tiny beetle in my painting copied directly from one of his works. He painted that little fellow more than once, and placing him among my own subjects feels like a quiet conversation across centuries. Art has a beautiful way of collapsing time like that.

The composition may feel like a snapshot of spring, but it’s arriving in November, as I hunker down in my chilly carport-turned-studio, space heater blazing, dreaming of radiant blooms and buzzing wings. One day we’ll get around to insulating the concrete floor. Till then, I have dreams of warmth and one very hot left leg.

As we head into the holidays, I hope this piece brings a little color and warmth your way. May you find joy in small things and inspiration in unexpected places.

Wishing you a cozy Thanksgiving.

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Pears and the Emerald Swallowtail

by In Monthly Miniature Tagged , , , , , , ,

This month’s monthly miniature marks the welcome return of my pear harvest—and the chance to feature one of my favorite fruits in a painting once again. For years, our tree produced more pears than we knew what to do with, sometimes into the thousands. But after several seasons of low yields, I was thrilled to gather around 200 this fall. It felt like reconnecting with an old friend.

I originally planned to paint a western tiger swallowtail I spotted on a fallen pear in the garden, but as I started working on the composition, I swapped it for an emerald swallowtail. The striking green tones of the emerald suited the palette I had in mind, allowing for a nearly monochromatic background with subtle hits of red and orange. Though the butterfly is native to Southeast Asia, but it’s a popular species in butterfly houses around the world so you may have seen them anywhere you call home.

A Shift in Mood

Pears and Peacock Swallowtail Butterfly still life fruit oil painting by Rebecca Luncan

The creative process behind this piece took an unusual turn for me. I began with a pale cream background—an approach more reminiscent of the sparse still lifes of Jan van Kessel. But halfway through painting, I realized it wasn’t offering the mood I was after. So, I made a rare decision to change direction. I repainted the background dark and added a stone table inspired directly by one of Adriaen Coorte’s compositions. The result is a richer, moodier setting that feels more grounded and contemplative.

This kind of mid-course correction is rare in my practice—because my paintings are so detailed, I typically finalize the composition before I begin painting. But in this case, the shift felt essential.

In progress, Pears and Peacock Swallowtail Butterfly still life fruit oil painting by Rebecca Luncan

From the Studio

Getting this piece finished in time was no small feat. My youngest is starting to walk, we just wrapped up my show at Harris Harvey Gallery, and our home is in full project mode. Life feels full to the brim—but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 💚

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Peter the Brave: A Rabbit Portrait Inspired by Dutch Masterworks

by In Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , ,

This is Peter.

“He’s a very special boy, he is very gentle and loves people and is missing an ear and back foot from being attacked when he was a baby. I bottle-fed him and raised him for the last nine years. I feel like you are the perfect person to capture my sweet boy.”
— Maryel, Peter’s person

Maryel’s words say it all. I thought of him as “Peter the Brave” the entire time I was painting his portrait, and it felt right for the title of the painting to reflect that. Most rabbits wouldn’t survive a trauma like his—rabbits can die just from shock. But Peter did. He’s a gentle spirit with a good strong heart.

A Quiet Tribute in the Dutch Tradition

Peter’s portrait was painted in oil on aluminum, just 4 x 4 inches. The soft, greenish-grey background gently fades into darkness—a quiet, moody space inspired by Dutch Golden Age portraiture. That compositional style, with its dramatic lighting and deep shadows, felt like the right way to honor such a dignified little soul.

Painting rabbits isn’t something I get to do often, though I’m always thrilled when I do. I grew up with rabbits myself, and earlier this year I said goodbye to my own English Spot, Harriet—who, coincidentally, looked a lot like Peter. When a prey animal like a rabbit learns to trust and love you, it’s no small thing. That relationship becomes something rare and deeply meaningful.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Thank you, Maryel, for trusting me with Peter’s portrait. It was a joy to spend time with him through paint, and I hope the finished piece brings you comfort and joy for many years to come.

If you’re interested in commissioning a portrait, I’d love to work with you. Click here to learn more, and feel free to reach out with questions.