WHAT MAKES A MEMORIAL PORTRAIT SUCCESSFUL
Strong reference images that reflect personality.
Clear understanding of posture and expression.
A composition that feels balanced and intentional.
Collaboration throughout the design process.
The finished artwork is printed on archival canvas and hand-finished with acrylic paint, creating a physical piece designed for display in your home.
SIGNATURE OR STORYSCAPE
Memorial portraits can be created in either format.
Signature Portraits place full attention on your pet against a simple painted background. This format keeps the focus on expression and structure, creating a clean and timeless presentation.
Storyscape Portraits incorporate a meaningful setting — a backyard, a favorite field, a shoreline, or another place that holds memory. The environment becomes part of the story while keeping your pet central to the composition.
Both approaches are equally thoughtful. The right choice depends on how you want the portrait to feel.
WORKING FROM YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
Most memorial portraits begin with everyday images — phone snapshots, older prints, or a small collection of meaningful photos. In most cases, that is more than enough.
If you’re unsure whether your photos will work, I’ll review them honestly and let you know what’s possible. You can also read more about how I work from older or imperfect images here.
The focus is not technical perfection. It is familiarity.
A THOUGHTFUL GIFT
Memorial portraits are sometimes commissioned as gifts for someone grieving the loss of a pet. If you’re considering this, we can discuss timing and presentation to ensure the process feels respectful and supportive.
BEGIN THE CONVERSATION
If you’re considering a memorial portrait, the first step is simply reaching out. Share the images you have, and tell me a little about your pet. From there, we’ll decide together what will best honor them.
MEMORIAL PET PORTRAITS
A memorial portrait honors a life that mattered. While nothing replaces the presence of a beloved companion, a portrait can hold onto something familiar — expression, posture, the way they carried themselves.
When you look at the finished piece, it should feel like them.
