Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Pet Portrait Take?
My waiting list varies throughout the year, with Christmas time being the busiest and quickest to fill. The actual production of the artwork usually takes 10-14 days. Some portraits may take longer depending on the size, the amount of detail and the type of background. If you have specific questions on my current time frame, please reach out to me and I will happy to help.
Do you do artwork other than pets and wildlife?
Yes, I do. I am happy to do other requests for artwork that you don't see on my site including but not limited to people, portraits, wall murals and airbrushed items (such as clothing, skateboards, guitars, etc). If you wish to commission me to do something you don't see here, just reach out to me for a quote and timeframe.
Do you do pets other than dogs and cats?
Again, the short answer is yes! I love to do all kinds of creatures that folks have as pets. If you would like to have a portrait of your hamster, bird, snake, rabbit, or horse, I would be thrilled to do one for you. Pricing for other animals would be based off prices listed on my site with the exception of equine (horse) portraits. Please reach out to me for a quote.
What if I don't know which photos to use or if they are good enough quality?
The best option is to send me what you have, using your own judgement on the overall quality. I will take a look at them and select the best ones to use. Oftentimes, the pose that we use for the final product may not be the one that's in best quality photo. The portrait may be a composition of several photos, allowing for a combination of the best poses and angles. This is why it's so important for me to have many photos of your pet to look through when composing your portrait.
What if my pet is no longer with us and I can't take new pictures?
This issue most likely won't be a problem as long as there are photos in which I can see the elements I need in order to produce a great portrait for you. I really only need three main elements: A photo that shows the eye shape and color, a photo that clearly shows fur type and color, and a photo to base the pose on. If you are not sure the photos you have meet these criteria, please reach out to me and we can discuss.
What kind of materials do you use?
I use the highest quality materials in the production of the artwork. I use Schmincke, Rembrandt, Faber-Castell and Stabillo Carbethello pastel pencils and sticks. I use PanPastels to block in colors and large areas as well. For paint, I use high-quality acrylic paints by Createx, Windsor & Newton, and Liquitex. For surfaces, the pet portraits are done on acid free Claire Fontaine Pastelmat sheets and boards. For some wildlife works, I use acid free Illustration Board, stretched canvas and canvas board. All materials were selected for their durability and light fastness. Light fastness is the pigments' resistance to light and UV damage. All pigments react to UV rays over time but I use materials that have high light-fastness ratings. I also strive to use "Green"/eco-friendly art supplies whenever possible. I care for our environment as much as I care for animals and wildlife, and want to do my part to help preserve it!