Artist's Statement

I came to painting later in life, progressing from watercolour scenes to animals on rocks and finally to painting pet portraits. I've always loved animals, especially dogs. I wanted a portrait of my own pup, so I gave it a try and when my doggie friends saw the finished product, they wanted one as well. All my work is by commission and comes to me by word of mouth.

My pet portraits start with a photograph. It needs to be a pose that the owner likes and that reflects the dog's personality and character. I make a few sketches and then a detailed drawing. When I'm happy with the drawing, I tranfer it to my canvas which has already been prepared with a background.

I paint with acrylics because I like the versatility and durablility that they provide. The surface I use is unstretched canvas. It is easy to matt and frame and I like the texture.

Seeing my client's emotional response to their beloved pet's portrait is such a rewarding experience. If they don't cry, I think I haven't done a good job. I definitely feel a connection when working on a pet portrait and enjoy capturing the spirit and personality of each dog - which I believe shows in the finished work.