Q: How much does a portrait cost?
A: It varies by size, medium, and number of pets. Please see the Prices + Process page for a comprehensive price list.
Q: Can I get a portrait of more than one pet?
A: Yes, but with conditions. Please see the Prices + Process page for information on a multi-pet portrait.
Q: Do you use photographs…or do I have to bring my pet to you, because he/she can’t sit still that long!?
A: I work from photographs—either digital pics that you email me, or physical photographs that you snail mail to me and I return to you. (And NO pet could sit that long!)
Q: What is your turnaround time?
A: It varies, depending on the time of year, how busy I am, how large/complex your portrait is, etc. But a general rule is three weeks to a month.
Q: I don’t want a custom-painted portrait; I just want prints/cards featuring my pet(s). Can you do that?
A: No. I make my prints and cards from digital scans of my original artwork. If you don’t want to commission a painting, but you would like artsy prints/cards of your pet(s), you need to contact a digital artist.
Q: I want to give a pet portrait as a gift, but I don’t know/can’t choose which photographs to give you. Can I purchase a gift certificate instead?
A: Yes. I will be happy to create and sell a personalized gift certificate for a specific size portrait for you to give someone. You would pay the full price of the portrait upfront. Then, the recipient would just contact me with specifics and photographs and he/she would work with me to get the portrait completed.
Q: Do you paint cats?
A: Yes. While I’m not a cat person, I do paint them. Happily. I’ll paint any pet, as long as I’m supplied with good photographs. Cats, horses, pigs, birds, whatever!
Q: Do you paint humans?
A: I could, but I don’t. I specialize in animals; you should find someone who specializes in painting human portraits.
Q: Do you sell your prints/cards in stores?
A: I am just starting to sell my stuff on consignment. If you are a pet boutique interested in carrying my prints/cards/originals, please e-mail me.
Q: What is this "30-in-30 project" I see so much about on your site?
A: I created a personal project for myself in September 2009, called “30 Dogs in 30 Days/Weeks,” which I nicknamed “30-in-30.” This project involved me gathering dog photographs from family, friends, and friends of friends. I chose 30 doggie photos, and spent the month of September drawing a dog a day, yielding 30 drawings. Then, for the next 30-ish weeks, I would attempt to take one drawing each week and turn it into a full-color portrait. This exercise was primarily an artistic challenge for me, but also allowed me to sell some portraits at a drastically lower price than usual. The owners of the dogs were given right of first refusal to purchase the portrait, within 30 days of completion, for only $100, regardless of size or medium. Not everyone took me up on my offer, so after 30 days, the un-purchased portraits are put up for sale in my Etsy shop for slightly more than $100, but still less than I normally charge for a commissioned piece of that size. The project will conclude in June 2010. I’m contemplating doing it all over again in late summer 2010.
