Portraits of Your Special Dog or Dogs
Familiar Classics or Unique Miniatures
Classic Portraits
Top left--Rodney, Sadie, and Fred, 36 x 24"
Bottom left--Jake and Max. 48 x 36"
Above--Uppie and Guinevere, 11 x 14"
Each year I accept a limited number of commissions for oil paintings of your special dog or dogs. This year I finally feel confident enough to add human portraits to my repertoire.
I love it when I have the opportunity to meet and know the models, but it isn’t essential. Unless you live close by my studio in Strasburg, Virginia, we work out details by phone and/or email, exchanging numerous photos and emails or other forms of communication as the work progresses. Though I paint all breeds, Bassets are my forte! I am less particular about humans, as long as they're dog lovers.
I adapt the paintings from your photographs (as many as possible), not only to know how the subjects look, but to try to understand their personalities, moods, favorite places, and props—like toys or pillows—and surroundings—like bedrooms or flower gardens. I like to embed my subjects in a familiar environment.
It is useful to have computer capability to send jpegs to me and for me to send various sketches, proofs, and frame options back to you along the way. The process usually takes from three to six weeks—occasionally less.
SIZE: The size range is from 16 x 20" to 22 x 28", including squares. Larger than that and I ask for a surcharge of $100 to cover frames, painting surfaces. oil artist materials, and shipping surcharges. I prefer to paint on gessoed wood panel. Size depends on your wall space; proportions are flexible and depend on the content of the picture.
PRICE: Price is independent of size, within the size-range specified, and without regard to the the pose or complexity of the background.
1 dog in picture $350 3 dogs in picture $4502 dogs in picture$400 add $100 per human in picture Prices include a frames (within an allowance of $65) and shipping.
On classic portraits, I reserve the right to reproduce and sell copies of the original. I will also provide you with electronic materials on disk without additional charge at your request. At the top of this page is a portrait of Jake and Max, which you may have seen on our site as the print "The Welcomers."
How to Begin, How to Decide
A painting of a beloved pet is a wonderful thing to own and a wonderful gift to give. You and I can work together to answer many questions you will have. Some of them are:
1. How large should it be? Take into account the width of the frame when eyeing your wall space or that of the recipient. Frames are available in custom sizes from my sources at no extra charge.
2. Do you have good likenesses of your dog or dogs? I'd like to have them from all sides, front and back, etc. Do you have a way—by mail or email jpegs to get them to me? I’ll scan them and get the originals back to you quickly.
3. Pictures of the environment. Also, if you want your pets portrayed in a favorite chair, by your garden fence, or elsewhere specific to their surroundings, I’ll need those pictures too.
4. When do you want it? Give me as much time as you reasonably can. Composing and painting take time, drying and varnishing take time, and so does shipping. Typically I have many requests for portraits at Christmas time, so many that I sometimes have to turn people down. I encourage you to think ahead to ensure we can complete your painting when you want it.
5. How do I contact Liz with questions? Ways to reach me are shown below:
Toll Free: 888 835-8174
snail mail: 192 High St., Strasburg, VA 22657
Miniatures Mug Shots
A unique alternative to Classic pet portraiture
Our oil paintings of individual dog's heads are taken directly from photographs you provide. These can be profiles, straight-on shots, or something in-between.
The painting surface is a 6-inch square piece of 3/4-inch beveled pine, with sides painted black or in the blended background color of the painting. A brass screw ring is attached at the top. The final picture is sanded and varnished.
Here are some samples:
PRICE: Each miniature is limited to one dog.
1 miniature per order$75 2 or more miniatures per order$60 each Standard $8 shipping per order applies. My studio will make no reproductions of miniatures, but you may receive electronic materials upon request on disk without charge.
The Process
In the miniatures, I work from your photos, limiting the area to the face and head. This takes me far less time and costs less. Miniatures also require less wall space.
I crop, enlarge, and otherwise compose the painting, and send a pre-painting sketch to you via email jpeg. We do this for a couple of stages until you're satisfied. To discuss a miniature portrait or portraits with me, please see my contact info above.
