ENGLISH SETTER PORTRAIT ARTIST
Custom English Setter portraits created by an artist who knows the breed.
ENGLISH SETTERS HAVE BEEN PART OF MY LIFE FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS
I’ve lived with them. Photographed them. Fostered them. Loved them.
As a member of the English Setter Association of America and the author of Setterly Yours, I understand the breed not just as a subject, but as a presence in daily life.
If you are looking for an artist who understands English Setters, you’re in the right place.
WHY WORK WITH AN ARTIST WHO KNOWS THE BREED?
English Setters have a distinct look and character.
Their structure, expression, coat, movement, and temperament are specific to the breed. A portrait only feels right when those elements are understood together — not just copied from a photo.
My experience with English Setters extends beyond painting. I’ve written about the breed’s history, health, and structure, including topics such as deafness and bloodline variations. That depth of knowledge informs how I approach every portrait.
I understand the difference between field and bench dogs, how a Setter carries itself when working, and what makes their expression unmistakably theirs. Just as important, I understand what they were bred to do.
That knowledge shapes posing, composition, and background decisions. The setting should support who the dog is — not simply look pretty behind them.
english setter commissions
If you're ready to discuss a portrait, start the conversation here →
From field to fireside
Some clients want a Signature Portrait that keeps the focus on expression and presence. Others choose a Storyscape that places their Setter in the field, on point, in autumn grass, or in a meaningful landscape connected to how they live.
Both approaches begin digitally so we can refine composition and expression together before anything is committed to canvas. Once approved, the portrait is printed on canvas and finished by hand with acrylic brushwork and texture.
The result is a portrait that feels true to your dog.
Working from your photographs
Your English Setter portrait begins with photographs. Phone snapshots are often enough. I'm used to selecting the best details from multiple images and filling in what's missing in a way that remains faithful to the breed and to your dog specifically.
For clients who prefer updated reference images, I occasionally offer consultation sessions at specialty events and shows.
Whether working from existing photos or new ones, the goal is the same: accuracy, balance, and respect for the breed.
English Setter portraits commissioned nationwide
Because the design process begins digitally, I work with clients across the country. Common commissions include field portraits and working scenes, memorial portraits, multi-dog groupings, breed celebration pieces, and Storyscapes inspired by field, farm, or countryside. If you have something specific in mind that doesn't fit a standard description, reach out — I'm happy to discuss it.
Why English Setters matter to me
It started with Carter.
In 2005 I rescued a deaf English Setter named ACES Carter LeDoux and documented his every move for years — using him to practice photography, to learn the breed, to understand what makes a Setter a Setter. I became a foster parent, photographed other rescue dogs, and eventually that work became Pouka Art & Photography.
Carter was followed by Sparrow in 2013, Finch in 2014, and in December of 2022, my first hearing Setter — Lager. Setters have shaped how I see, how I shoot, and how I paint.
For more about my relationship with the breed, read Painting English Setters: A Life with the Breed →
SETTERLY YOURS
Setterly Yours: A Photographic Introduction to the English Setter features over 150 professional photographs covering the breed's history, physical characteristics, personalities, grooming, health, and rescue. It includes detailed coverage of bloodline variations and the great physical variety within the breed — something most books on English Setters don't address.
Awarded a silver medal by the Independent Publishers Book Awards.
Start your English Setter portrait
Field, bench, or fireside — each portrait begins with a conversation. Reach out and tell me about your dog.