Get to know

I began painting dog portraits when first one friend, and then another, lost their dogs and were grieving. I had known both dogs and was also heartbroken. As a way to say goodbye and manage my own sadness, I painted their portraits and gifted them to their owners. They were not only touched, but began telling their friends. And those friends told other friends. Before I knew it, my hobby became a heartfelt business. For me, it truly is "Where Art Meets Affection”. What I love about painting pet portraits is the process of falling in love with my subject before paint ever touches a brush.
I adore painting my 4 legged subjects and will do my very best to ensure your happiness with the finished painting! Just email me at theresa@theresasstudio.com to initiate your project.
To initiate a project, please send me 3-5 of your favorite photos of your dog. Since I primarily paint their faces, it’s best that a few of these photos be fairly close up. Please give me a week or so to “feel” into the photos, get to “know” him or her, and fall a bit in love. While it’s my favorite part of my process, my dog AJ had to adjust.…he somehow knew when I was “cheating on him” and would get a bit moody. But all is good now!
This is also when you will choose between 2 canvas options. The first is a canvas with a ¾ inch box edge that is painted. It can be hung without a frame. The other is a flat canvas that is suitable for framing. While I have standard sizes built into my two package options, I”m happy to customize and adjust as needed.
When I am ready to begin, I will contact you and make sure you are in agreement regarding which photo you want me to use for the painting. I will send you a photo a week or so later (sometimes sooner) of the underpainting to ensure you are happy with my basic outline. I will also send a photo a short time later when it is finished.
Since I work in oil, the painting will need to dry for at least 1 week before delivery. If it needs to be shipped, a 2-week drying window is recommended.
If you have 2 dogs that you would like painted together, I’ll definitely need 3-5 photos of them together. You can hold them in your lap however you would like them positioned. I can easily remove you from the painting. You may also submit a few photos of each separately if particular photos capture the personality you wish to see in the finished portrait.
If your dogs are a similar size. You have the option to submit individual images which I can Photoshop together before starting the painting process. However, I strongly prefer photos with the two dogs together.
A few favorites
I’d love to paint your fur baby!
