Animal Portraits
Anyone who loves animals will know that empty feeling you get when you live in a house devoid of all animal companionship, your home does not feel the same and your world certainly loses its colour.
I have recently turned 70 and when we lost our precious boy Chocky we talked it over and decided we were getting too old for pets. We managed seven awful months before another rescue boy stole his way into our hearts and turned our house into a home again. So, it is really no surprise that humans take pleasure in portraits and photos of their much-loved companions
I grew up in a household filled with animals, we lived with Cats, Dogs, Budgies, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Mice, Hamsters, Tortoise, and I looked after the schools stick insects during the summer holidays. My granddad had a farm with horses, geese, ducks, chickens, cows and even prize bull wandering about so it's no real surprise that I am happiest in the countryside surrounded by animals.
Having lived with so many animals throughout my life, I know it is not just people who can be unique and wonderful. Every animal has had their own character and ways of doing things that made them stand out. I have shared my homes with no less than 17 cats over the years, and every one of them had a different personality and a unique tug on my heart strings. This is one of the reasons why I have such a passion for animals, and I hope that it is reflected in my portraits.
Photographs will not always capture the spirit of the subject; my Siamese rescue is a perfect example in that living with him this last year has been like living with a tornado of energy. Beneath all the bursting energy, curiosity, and fear, he is highly intelligent and the sweetest of cats, with has such a good nature but none of his photos capture the whole picture and I have yet to draw a portrait of him for myself as I am still deciding on how best to show his tender side and dependency without ignoring the manic lunacy, intelligence, and downright cheekiness that he exhibits every day.
That's why, when I am creating a portrait, I feel it is important to know something of the subject so I can bring some of their uniqueness into their portrait. Which is why I will ask you to tell me about them when I visit, or in these times of Covid, when you supply your photographs or we chat through emails, as I will not have met them, I need to rely on you to fill in the gaps.
I recognise that these highly detailed portraits are not just something to hang on the wall but are a precious reminder of a cherished friend that will be valued for years to come so it's worth making sure I am armed with all the necessary information before starting work.
Each A4 portrait takes around two weeks to create using your choice of premium quality Artist Pencils, Pastels, Acrylic paints, or mixed media applied and working on Acid free paper that has been designed specifically for each of those mediums. This enables me to achieve the best, longest lasting results, which can outlive most photos remaining vibrant after many years.