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A Portrait of a Beloved Cat

by In Memorial Pet Portrait, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , , , , ,

This painting of Kiki was a surprise gift commissioned by my friend Natasha for her husband, Dustin. We planned everything in secret, and I created several mock-ups before she chose the final composition—a round 4 x 4″ oil painting on aluminum with a soft grey-blue background.

Natasha and her family live nearby, so instead of mailing the finished portrait, they came to the studio to pick it up. I packed the finished portrait in a gift box for the final reveal. Being there in person was a special event. I rarely get to witness someone seeing a portrait for the first time, since most are sent off with only an email or photo in return. I saw it all: the surprise, the recognition of an old friend, and the love that lingered long after the box came open.

Remembering Kiki

Kiki had been with Dustin since before he and Natasha got together. She passed away in 2019, but her memory is very much alive. She had a strong, no-nonsense personality with a silly streak. She loved playing fetch with hair ties, sunbathing in the backyard, and fiercely protecting the other cat from their dogs. She was always gentle with their son, Sébastien, though she refused to give up her spot on the changing table when it suited her.

A Painting Full of Love

This kind of project is why I love what I do—capturing not just a likeness, but a loved one. Creating a portrait is always meaningful, but being there to witness someone connect with their pet through my artwork was a rare gift.

“It looks perfect! Thank you so much :). I can’t wait to see it in person!”
—Natasha

If you’re interested in commissioning a portrait as a gift, please note that I’m typically booked about a year and a half in advance. However, I offer gift vouchers for those who’d like to give something sooner or involve the recipient in the design process.

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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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Pet Portrait Gifts

by In Gifts, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , ,

Pet Portraits Make the Perfect Gift

Pet portrait gifts are incredibly versatile, both in occasion and recipient. Over the years, I’ve painted them for anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, graduations, and even retirements. They’ve been given to spouses, siblings, parents, children, and co-workers.

When the subject is someone’s beloved companion (whether furry, feathery, or human), it’s hard to go wrong with a gift that’s been thoughtfully planned and features someone they love.

Jefferson: The First Portrait

A few years ago, Rachel reached out to me to create a portrait of her dog, Jefferson, as a birthday gift for her fiancé, Donte. Jefferson, with his sweet face and expressive eyes, was a joy to paint. I love his one floppy ear!

From Rachel

“OMG!!! Rebecca! It’s better than I ever could have imagined. I am so grateful for this!”

The portrait captured Jefferson’s warmth and character, and as it turned out, it also sparked the idea for a second painting.

Franklin: A Gift in Return

Almost immediately after he recieved the painting, I received a message from Donte. He wanted to secretly commission a portrait of Franklin, their newest four-legged family member, as a wedding anniversary surprise for Rachel.

Franklin’s portrait became the perfect complement to Jefferson’s. Now, the two paintings hang side-by-side in their home. A matched set of memories and love, created and exchanged between two people.

Featured Image & Framing the Story

For this post, the featured image is a wonderful photo provided by Dante showing the two portraits together, side by side. Sometimes the best stories aren’t about just one painting, but how portraits can connect people and moments over time.

If you’re inspired to commission a portrait for someone special (or yourself), you can learn more on my commissions page.

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Pet Portrait Painting of Lily

by In Pet Portrait Tagged , , ,

Years ago, I created a pet portrait painting of a cat named Lucy as a gift from mother to daughter. And now, the daughter has commissioned a portrait for her mother and father of their beloved furry companion, Lily, as a Christmas gift.

I often think about how much I love making pet portraits because I get to experience the bond animals have with their human companions. When the portraits are gifts it’s especially exciting, because there’s another loved one thrown into the mix. I’m a more the merrier type! These two commissions in particular, were very special to me. I remember meeting Taylor and her mother when I had just recently become a mother myself. They were so close and loving. It made me feel extra privileged to have a child of my own and I strive to make such a loving bond with him. 

 From Taylor:

Thank you! My parents loved the painting!!

From Drindy: I should have told you how profound it was to receive your piece for Xmas. I weeped when I opened this. It is her essence and reminds us so much of how much we still and will always love her. Thank you for your amazing talent – what a gift it is to us.

Pet portrait painting of white mini poodle by Rebecca Luncan
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Harrison, a pet portrait commission of a Flame Point Rag-doll Siamese Beauty

by In Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
Framed Portrait painting of flame point ragdoll siamese cat by Rebecca Luncan

I’m in love with the subject for my latest pet portrait commission. Harrison is a flame point rag doll Siamese and those eyes!! Harrison is 10″ x 8″ and is made with oil on aluminum.

During my tiny thanksgiving gathering we talked about things we were grateful for. My clients that commission me to paint their beautiful furry friends came just after friends and family. Thank you. ❤️

I worked as a picture framer during my college years and have continued to frame my own work since then. I frame most of my clients commissioned works and for Harrisons portrait we choose this georgeous bronze colored carved frame. My client has synesthesia and she loved this frame in particular because the swirls looked like how Harrison’s meows sound. Sounds like a pretty incredible experience with the world.

From Melissa:

Ahhhh!!! It’s BEAUTIFUL! I feel like you totally and perfectly captured his essence. It’s wonderful! I love how the background brings out his eyes and various fur colors and textures. His little nose is so cute!! And he looks so fluffy! 

Thank you so much!!!

Traditional Techniques: Layer by Layer

I made a short video that shows how my paintings evolve, using the time tested technique of “lean to fat”. The first layer starts with big shapes and paint thinned with odorless mineral spirits (Gamsol). This is the lean layer. For the oil, I use Galkyd slow dry painting medium. As the detail increases with each layer, so does the oil content added to my paint mixture. By working in this way, the paint has ideal conditions to adhere to its substrate. It also ensures that the bottom layers of paint will dry more quickly than the top layers which prevents cracking in the future. I also find that this technique gives painting a luminocity and depth that is essential for capturing fluffy fur and pearlecent eyes.

If you’re interested in a pet portrait of your own, please visit my commission page to lean more.

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Portrait of a Rocky Mountain Horse

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

My latest commission is a portrait of a Rocky Mountain horse named Chief. He has a beautiful dual colored mane and he is such a sweet horse. I’m in Seattle, but have family in Ohio and travel back to visit (don’t know when the next visit will be at this point though!). I got to meet my client who lives in Ohio in person last year and spend a lovely morning with her and a mutual friend taking reference photographs. Horses are tough to photograph and horse people KNOW their horses so you have to get it right! It’s quite the experience to soak in this amazing bond. I hope these two have many many years to enjoy each others remarkably warm company.

Date of Delivery

This painting was due to be completed for Bobbie’s birthday. I was dismayed that it was my very first and hopefully last commission that wasn’t finished on time. I have a clause in my contract in the “Date of Delivery” section that states, “This completion date shall be extended in the event of delays caused by events beyond the control of the Artist.” 

My husband and I suffered nasty bout of illness in early March, followed by the challenging transition to working-and-schooling from home.

Being sick while caring for a 4-year-old was really difficult. My husband and I were both sick for the entire month of March, and we took turns resting while we did our best to keep Isaac fed and out of trouble. I wasn’t able to venture into the studio for the entire month and it threw a big wrench in the works for my paintings schedule. 

Once we finally recovered, I got back to painting and I have never been so thankful for my health, the sunshine and wonderful clients! Bobbie was so kind and forgiving and I’m very grateful. Wishing you all a very healthy spring.  ? 

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Still Life Pet Portrait

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

Portrait of Lila

oil on aluminum, 12″ x 8″

My work as a mountmaker at the Seattle Art Museum has brought me into contact with some pretty extraordinary people. Curator of Chinese artwork, Ping Foong, is one such person. I’m very grateful that she and her partner choose me to make a special portrait of their cat Lila that reflects her love of Chinese porcelains. 

From Lucie:

“It’s perfect! I love the painting so much!”

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Happy Birthday Pet Portrait

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

A pet portrait is a gift that will last a lifetime (and beyond!)

Pet portraits take some time to make. But they are worth the wait. The most important part of the process is the planning stage. I like to get the composition figured out right away and take the time to get it right. Carrie and I worked through several ideas until we found the perfect composition.

I put a lot of care into my portraits for two reasons. The biggest reason is that a true representation of the subject honors the connection my clients have to their pets.

I’m also doing it for myself. It’s important to me that my paintings last and using the proper materials and techniques is only part of the equation. Making a work of art that will be interesting to future generations means future generations will take care it long after we are all gone. Likewise, every time I exhibit my work, win an award, or have a painting published I’m adding to the provenance of all of my paintings. Which means they will have a historical context that will add to the future value of my work. Adding value to my work means it will be taken care of.

The Best Part of a Pet Portrait

All of that longevity is important, but the best part of a pet portrait is preserving a well loved smiling face. It’s incredibly meaningful for me to make the special connection humans have to our pets tangible. My glimpse into the bond shared between Carrie, Derek and Sophie was truly a gift and it was an honor to make Sophie’s portrait.

Please visit my commissions page to learn about my process and contact me to get started.

From Carrie:

We received the painting and it’s absolutely beautiful! It’s perfect. Thank you so much! Derek can’t get over how closely you managed to capture Sophie, you’re just SO talented. I hope to work with you in the future!
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Seattle Golden Boy, Golden Retriever Portrait Painted on Copper

by In Gifts, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , , , ,

From Hazel to Joey

Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle, loving nature, and I’ve been fortunate to paint several over the years. Not long before this commission, I completed a portrait of Hazel, a Golden who lived to the remarkable age of nineteen. Painting Joey soon after felt like the start of a new journey: where Hazel’s portrait reflected the depth of a long, cherished life, Joey’s radiates the brightness of youth and the promise of years ahead. My hope is that his life will be just as full, with an endless supply of love flowing both ways.

A Miniature with Big Detail

This portrait, painted on copper, measures just 4 × 4 inches — the smallest size I currently offer. Though intimate, it leaves room for detail, including the Seattle skyline in the background as a nod to Joey’s hometown. The copper surface adds warmth and depth, complementing his golden coat.

golden retriever portrait painting miniature by Rebecca Luncan

A Gift of Love

Joey’s portrait was commissioned by Lori as a holiday gift for her husband. When she received the finished piece, she wrote:

“It’s incredible in person, you are beyond talented! I can’t thank you enough.”

If you’re interested in commissioning a portrait, please visit my Commissions page to learn more about the process, or browse my Pet Portraits or Portrait Commissions galleries for more examples.

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Classical Pet Portraits

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

Honoring a Lifetime of Love

I was commissioned by Jason to create two portraits, each with its own story and significance. The first was a gift for his sister, capturing her beloved golden retriever, Hazel. Hazel had shared a lifetime of love devotion, and in her portrait I wanted to preserve her warmth and tenderness.

Hazel, oil on aluminum, 8″ x 8″

The second portrait was of Jason’s own dog, Turbo, a black and white French Bulldog with a big personality. Though only 4 × 4 inches in size, his painting is packed with vitality and presence.

Miniature pet portrait painting framed by Rebecca Luncan
Turbo, oil on aluminum, 4″ x 4″

Classical Inspiration

Both portraits were painted with the traditions of the Dutch Golden Age in mind. The subtle green-grey backgrounds, inspired by classical portraiture, create a timeless setting that allows the dogs’ individual characters to shine. With Hazel, I was most inspired by the gentle expression in her eyes. With Turbo, it was his the look of intelligence and spark that caught my attention.

Lasting Legacies

Between the time these portraits were first designed and when they were completed, both Hazel and Turbo sadly passed away. Their loss underscores why I am so passionate about creating pet portraits. Our animal companions give us so much, and through painting, I strive to ensure their presence endures for generations. Though Hazel and Turbo are no longer here, their portraits will live on as cherished reminders of the love they gave and received.

From Jason:

“I got them today! We are in love! Thank you so much, such talented work!!”

If you’re interested in celebrating your own companion with a custom portrait, please visit my Commissions page. You can also explore more Pet Portraits and learn about the traditions of Dutch Golden Age painting that inspire my work.