| I know from my experience as a pet portrait | | | | animal is waiting for the portrait to be completed |
| artist, that dog portraits are truly the best gift! | | | | before they pass over. In one case, I arrived to |
| When my phone rings and I hear the person at | | | | take the photo of an aged kitty who was over |
| the other end of the line describe a relative's or | | | | 21 years old. I felt strongly that she would wait |
| friend's dog, I know that this person feels as I do | | | | only as long as it took for me to capture her |
| - dogs (and all other pets for that matter) are | | | | likeness on canvas before she would cross over |
| people too! | | | | the Rainbow Bridge. It wasn't long after her |
| There are many reasons why portraits are the | | | | guardian received the painting that the kitty did, |
| very best gift. A painting which captures not only | | | | indeed, make her final journey. |
| the likeness of a pet, but also their spiritual nature | | | | Another reason these paintings are such fabulous |
| can help ease the grief a person feels after their | | | | gifts is that they are long-lasting. Paintings can last |
| beloved companion has crossed the Rainbow | | | | for generations and bring to mind fond memories |
| Bridge. One thing I cherish about my profession as | | | | of a life of shared experiences and touching |
| an artist, is that I love connecting with the animals' | | | | moments. |
| energies as I paint, especially for animals that | | | | One of my clients asked me to paint a portrait of |
| have just made their transition. I sometimes feel | | | | every animal her family had ever had and place |
| that it's the animal, themselves, who have brought | | | | them on one canvas! The painting consisted of a |
| a client to me to commission a portrait to help | | | | bird, horse, cats and several dogs. After she |
| heal their guardian's broken heart. | | | | received her portrait, she told me that her two |
| Here is a quick story to illustrate my point. | | | | daughters wanted it written into the woman's will |
| I was commissioned to paint a memorial portrait | | | | as to who would receive the portrait after she |
| of Bear, a Kuvasz -a large, white breed of dog | | | | and her husband had passed on! It was then I |
| originally from Turkey. I'd never heard of this | | | | knew, these are not ordinary gifts. |
| breed before and did some research before | | | | A third reason why pet portraits are the best gift |
| starting the painting. As I was waiting for my | | | | is that they chronicle a life well-lived. Action |
| client to come to our respective meeting place | | | | portraits are one of my favorites. Who can |
| where I would deliver his finished painting, I was | | | | forget the moment when a horse strides easily |
| thumbing through our local Dog Nose News. Lo | | | | over the jump, the agility champion races passed |
| and behold there was an article entitled | | | | the weave poles, or the puppy or kitten is caught |
| "Compelled to Rescue" and that month's subject | | | | tangled endlessly in a ball of yarn? One client of |
| was - you guessed it, the Kuvasz! I excitedly | | | | mine wanted his Schipperke painted with all of her |
| pointed the article out to him and sure enough, he | | | | stuffed toys around her. She looked so adorable |
| contacted them later that day and ended up | | | | with her black fur against the soft pastel colors of |
| driving over 300 miles to rescue a senior Kuvasz. | | | | a duck, a bird and a chicken! |
| Was it just a coincidence, or did Bear really bring | | | | As you can see, there is an alternative to another |
| him together with a new friend? | | | | collar, leash or food bowl which is available to dog |
| Sometimes very old and frail animals will have | | | | lovers and pet lovers everywhere! |
| their portrait painted. It's almost as though the | | | | |