Dollie is a striking black poodle with a white chin and a calm, intelligent gaze. This portrait was commissioned by Liz as a wedding gift for her son Christian and his fiancé Stephanie. Christian had never had a dog before Dollie, and she quickly became a deeply loved part of their family. Liz wanted to give them something meaningful to honor that bond.
While I often paint formal portraits inspired by Dutch master compositions, Liz provided one image of Dollie in a beautiful outdoor setting that immediately caught my eye. The blue flowers, sunlight filtering through the trees, and Dollie’s relaxed pose gave the piece a natural warmth and elegance that felt worth preserving.
Crafting the Composition
I altered the composition slightly to bring more focus to her face by changing her position in the landscape. I also relied on other close-up shots to capture her features more accurately, especially the small patch of white under her chin. In the original photo her tongue was sticking out, hiding that detail, so I adjusted it to make sure it was visible in the final piece.
Sometimes I provide multiple mock-ups for clients to choose from, but in this case, the winning composition was clear from the beginning. Liz and I both felt confident in moving forward with that one version.
Dollie, oil on aluminum, 9″ x 8″
A Detail That Mattered
After I shared the final image of the completed portrait, Liz noticed something neither of us had caught—there was a patch on Dollie’s leg where the fur was very short. She remembered it had been shaved at the vet when the photo was taken. I fixed the painting before meeting her at the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle to deliver the painting just in time for
A Moment to Remember
After the gift was given, Liz sent this message:
“Stephanie and Christian LOVE Dollie’s portrait. It was especially poignant for Christian as I told you his grandfather owned the park that was sold after he died. Thank you again for taking this commission. We will love this for decades.”
It’s moments like these that remind me why I love painting portraits. They’re more than images—they hold memory, connection, and love.
If you’re interested in commissioning a custom pet portrait of your own, please visit my commission page for details. I’d love to help you create something meaningful. Feel free to reach out when you’re ready to move forward!
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.
I’m excited to share a recent commission featuring a lionhead rabbit named Leroy and his friend, a shih tzu named Scout. This portrait was a gift from one sibling to another—a small painting with so much love.
The Joy of Painting Pets
Pet portraits are among my favorite commissions. Each one is a chance to honor the personality, affection, and stories animals bring into our lives. Leroy and Scout are clearly cherished members of their family, and painting them together was an absolute treat. Their companionship and gentle presence suited the more formal composition beautifully, with the yellow velvet chair adding a touch of warmth and elegance to the setting.
My Longstanding Love for Rabbits
While I’m known for still lifes and animal paintings, rabbits hold a special place in my practice. In fact, my Monthly Miniatures series began with a focus on rabbits—eighteen small works that explored their charm, elegance, and subtle expressions. I have been wanting to make more rabbit paintings for my personal work, but other projects keep taking priority. That made this commission even more special for me.
A Thoughtful Gift
This portrait was commissioned by Laura as a birthday gift for her brother. Leroy and Scout aren’t just pets—they’re companions who reflect the best parts of his personality. Knowing the emotional weight behind the commission made the process especially meaningful. I worked to capture not just the likeness of each animal, but their connection to one another and the role they play in their human’s life.
From Laura:
“My brother loved it so much Rebecca! Both of them bring out the best, most lovable side of my brother. ” —Laura
If you’re interested in commissioning a portrait of your own beloved animal (or animals), you can learn more about the process on my commissions page.
Most of my pet portrait commissions are based on images that come from my clients. I have a couple of blog posts for suggestions on getting photos of cats and dogs that can help get you started. What usually ends up working best though, is to take lots of photos (for dogs at least) when you’re running around at the park. I’m often altering the background of images to simplify it so that the attention is going to the subject of the painting. It’s not often that the background truly compliments the subject. When it does, though it’s something special.
The Historical Portrait Miniature
If you do a search for “Portrait Miniature” you’ll find countless classical miniatures, mostly from the 16th – 18th century. Popular in England, France and in the United States (There are probably a million portrait miniatures of George Washington).
At least a third of the paintings that come up in these searches have a blue sky with clouds in the background. They put it perfectly in an article about the representations of clouds in art by the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery of the University of Western Australia. “The physical position of the clouds, situated between heaven and earth, associates them with a higher order, a characteristic that recurs in art through the ages.” The association is then tied to subject placed in front of the clouds.
I’ve been dying to do a portrait like this for ages. And was fortunate that Theo (aka Thelonious Monk ) has the bearing to pull it off. I can’t look at this painting without imaging a cape on her back. I think of it as puggle portrait painting that reveals the true size of the personality held in such a tiny body.
From Tina:
It’s perfect!! Thank you so much! Melanie LOVES it, and we found a central spot to hang it. Just in time for her birthday and a gift for the ages…both with Theo, and beyond. Eternally grateful
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.
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.
Every year Seattle’s last surviving newspaper, The Stranger, does a feature issue all about pets. Art critic Jasmyne Keimig interviewed four different artists who immortalize animal friends and I was delighted to be among them. Read the full interview on the Strangers website.
Thank you to the folks at The Stranger that continue to produce such a well loved local paper and for the yearly focus on animals. And a big thank you to Jasmyne for putting so much into writing a lovely article. I’m honored to be included!
They used an image of my portrait of Shiloh, oil on aluminum, 18″ x 12.5″ for the article. Go to my Pet Portraits gallery to see more examples of my work and go to the commissions page to learn about having your very own painting made.
Animals hold a special place in our hearts. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has everything, a portrait of their dearly loved animal is bound to be something they will cherish. I recently finished this portrait painting of an American Quarter Horse and shipped it off to Tennessee. It was commissioned as a Christmas gift for a much appreciated CEO from her work colleagues.
Layer by Layer
My paintings are created with a traditional fat over lean technique to ensure that they will last for hundreds of years. By using layers and glazing, the paintings have a rich depth that you don’t get with just one layer of paint. Adding more and more oil to each additional layer helps the paintings dry more evenly and they are also much less likely to crack (even after hundreds of years!). Paintings on metal made using this technique still survive in pristine condition from the 1500’s.
My latest commission is a cat oil portrait on aluminum. Sean commissioned me to paint Fifi as a gift for his wife. Soon after commissioning the painting however, he let her in on the secret and they both got to enjoy the fun of anticipating the finished creation. We choose an oval format and 6″ x 8″ ended up being the perfect size.
Painting fluffy cats takes lots of patience, but it’s so rewarding when the final layers start to come together and you can start to “feel” the light fluffy fur. I use 4-6 layers of paint and and combine transparent and opaque areas to get the effect.
We choose a solid wood walnut frame with ornate detail on the outside and inside lip to give it a more formal look. I love how the brown of the frame compliments the green in the painting!
From Sean:
Painting received, it looks amazing!!! I am super excited! Thank you again for all your work!
Sean and Fifi pose with Fifi’s portrait
Please visit my commissions page to learn how to commission your own pet portrait.
Lucy is special one. People would see this cat pet portrait painting on the easel and just fall in love.
Portrait of Lucy 5.25″ x 3.75″ oil on aluminum
But this portrait commission started off a little differently than usual. Lucy was commissioned as a graduation gift from mother to daughter. Instead of opening a box and finding a painting, Taylor opened an envelope and found a gift voucher for a custom portrait of her Lucy.
Most paintings don’t start this way, I think because people like to present a finished painting for a gift but part of the fun of commissioning a custom portrait is dreaming up ideas, then looking through the mock-up proposals and seeing the painting develop. We looked through images together in my studio, figuring out both the composition and the perfect antique frame for the painting. Taylor had a strong instinct for which elements really said “Lucy,” and when the design was finalized we were all excited to see it take shape!
I am so happy with how Lucy turned out, please continue reading Taylor and Drindi’s testimonials below and see my gallery of portraits on the Pet Portraits page.
From Drindy:
Oh my goodness. You did such a great job capturing her. So exciting. I admire your commitment to your passion and you are so good at it. So I hope your art work continues to be a priority for you – certainly brings so much joy and beauty to our world.
From Taylor:
I have said this to my mom several times now, but wanted to officially say to you how much I absolutely love and adore my painting of Lucy. It gives me so much joy and captures her spirit and personality so perfectly. It’s truly one of those few things I would save in a fire (hopefully that’s never the case) but you get the gist – I will treasure it forever.
Black Lab’s are the quintessential family dog and a pet portrait of man’s best friend makes the perfect Father’s day gift. Black Lab’s are full of energy and aren’t really suited for apartment living, but few breeds can outmatch their friendly personalities. Such sweet personalities makes them very easy to love back.
Sally commissioned me to paint Pi (short for Pirate) as a gift for her husband for Fathers Day. She sent me lost of great photos, which gave me an insight to how lucky Pi is. Dogs love with such a wholehearted passion and it was clear that Pi is loved back just as much.
Portrait of Pi oil on aluminum 5″ x 5″
We choose a solid wood frame manufactured by a company in Canada, Inline Ovals. Learn more about my commission process on my commission page and see more examples of pet portraits in the pet portraits gallery.
From Sally:
…it is SO amazing. It’s my favorite piece of art in the whole house:)
Anders was surprised and he loves it too. I def scored points. Thank you SO much!!!
My paintings are created with a traditional 
