ABOUT THE ARTIST
I have been painting in oils for more than 30 years. Though I have had some formal instruction, for the most part, I am self-taught. I specialize in realistic pet portraiture. I do not strive for photographic hyper-realism - that's what photographs are for. Instead, my style reflects the beauty of an oil painting - including the brushstrokes - while still remaining true to the resemblance of the subject. It is a true joy for me to be able to capture not only a beautiful likeness of a pet, but also, its personality and true spirit. My goal is to create for you a precious keepsake of your beloved pet that you will treasure for years to come.
CUSTOMIZED COMMISSIONS
I work exclusively from reference photos provided by the client to create a one-of-a-kind portrait of their pet. I work with the client to determine the canvas size, positions and orientations of the subjects, type of background and general layout. I do not touch brush to canvas until the client is happy with the basic design of their portrait.
Often, multiple photos are used to achieve the desired result. Quality of the photos is critical to getting the best result in a painting. If by chance, the photos are simply not of a quality necessary to produce a good painting, I will be honest about this with the client.
Custom portraits can take 3-6 weeks to complete, plus another 2 weeks to be dry enough for shipping. So it's best to keep this in mind if there is a specific date the finished work is needed by.
CUSTOM PAINTINGS FOR SALE
I have several original paintings offered for sale, which can be found by clicking on my 'Custom Paintings for Sale' page. Here you will find some formal portraits, and also pieces that tell stories - some whimsical, some depictions of old-fashioned Americana, some featuring beautiful Arizona scenery as backdrops, and some of heroes both human and animal.
I am always thinking of new and interesting scenarios and stories that can be depicted in a painting, and I continue to add to my gallery of work as I create new pieces.
I invite you to browse through my gallery - you might discover something that strikes a real emotional chord for you. I would love to hear what you think!