Pet Portraits by Jill

According to the 2023 Pet Holidays Calendar, nine dog breeds celebrated National Holidays this past month: Boxers, French Bulldogs,Yorkies, Labrador Retrievers, etc. Some breeds that I've yet to paint include Bouvier de Flanders, Alaskan Malamute, American Eskimo Dog. (Maybe this year I'll get to paint them!) I left out two holidays: Jan. 6, "National Standard Poodle Day" and Jan. 9, "National Australian Shepherd Day." Enjoy these portraits:

Since today is "National Yorkshire Terrier Day," I feel I should post the last four yorkie portraits I've done. Interestingly enough, the pup (Pepi) with a ball in his mouth is the second version I did of this portrait. The first version got washed away by Hurricane Ian.

Since yesterday was "National Dress Up Your Pet Day," I wanted to share some dressed up pet portraits I've painted through the years. I never realized how many pet owners love dressing up their furry companions until I started painting them! (Aside from your kind words of praise, how 'bout ordering a portrait of your pet wearing a fancy outfit?)

On Jan. 2nd the AKC awarded Star, an English Bull Dog, "Best in Show" and $50,000 in its annual canine competition. It made me want to share some EBDs that I've painted: Meet Gunny, winner of a 2022 fund-raiser (https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoPetPantry) as well as Abigail, Sabra and Bridgett. (Aside from your kind words of praise, doesn't anybody want to order a pet portrait?!)

A brand new year! (Can you believe it?) This past year I've had the pleasure of adding some new "pets" to my portfolio. I'm hoping to add even more this coming year.... Meet a Fennec fox (Trixie), a chameleon (Spock), an alpaca (Elsa) and a celery-eating skunk (Mochi)!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Here are some pix of recipients who just couldn't wait until Christmas to open their gifts. (Plus a photo of a reindeer that looks a lot like me!) Hopefully, there'll be many more photos of Christmas recipients to share in the coming weeks....

Since Hanukkah begins today, I think it's only fitting to post a beagle wearing the appropriate garb. Say Shalom to Peaches! It's also "National Roast Suckling Pig Day." (Sorry about that, pig lovers. But it gives me a reason to post Petunia's portrait.) Finally, December 18th is also "Flake Appreciation Day" so let me introduce a peacock named Snowflake!

Two days from now (Dec. 13) is "National Day of the Horse." I love painting these magnificent animals. (Some horse trivia: Eohippus, the earliest known ancestor to the modern horse was a mere thirteen inches tall. Whereas Samson, the tallest horse on record, was 21.2 hands, roughly 7'5" tall.) Here are a few I've added to my portfolio in 2022.

Is anybody hungry? If you're in the mood for a very unusual salad, I have just the recipe: Mix in Peaches, add Cheddar, a sprinkle of Ginger and one Bean. Sound weird? You bet! But they aren't eird if you're talking about some of the pets I've painted this year. Meet Peaches, Cheddar, Ginger and Bean!

2022 is the Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese Zodiac. Since I've yet to paint a tiger portrait, I figured I'd post some pix of some Bengals I've done. A cross between an Asian leopard cat and domestic shorthairs, their markings are deliciously unique. Meet Sly, Sulani, Zeke and Walter. (I'd love to paint more!)

I love it when clients send photos of their pets posing alongside my paintings of them. Especially if the pet is unusual. Here are some prime examples:

"And the winner is..." Every year around this time, I like to see how many pets I've painted that share the same name. Lots of twosomes. i.e. Pets named Kara, Chloe, Annie and Clover. But I only found three pets that I've painted in 2022 with the same name. Guess what it is..... Gracie! Meet two pups (Gracie is the yorkie on the right) and a colorful bird with that name....

Since November is the month that celebrates senior pets, I thought I'd post a few that I've painted. I need to mention (once again!) how important ordering Christmas portraits NOW is. My deadline this year will be December 1st. (Does not apply to clients in California. They have until December 10th.) Thank you for your business!

When people send me photos of their pets, their focus in on the pet. Mine, however, is also on the background. My personal preference is always in favor of an outdoor setting. The natural lighting is usually better and, as an artist, it offers me different creative challenges. Here are some of my favorite backgrounds in 2022.

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." (George Santayana) And yet I'm quite sure the owner of Spring (Boston Terrier) was hopeless in love with her. As were the owners of Summer (American Bulldog), Winter (Golden Retriever) and Autumn (mixed breed). Seasons make good names!

I always welcome new types of pets I've never painted. This year has offered me many unique opportunities. Here are just four of them: meet my first skunk (Fifi la fume), my first Sabastopol goose (Fabio), my first lemur (Clover) and my first chameleon lizard (Spock). I'm working on my first camel!

Since this month is "Black Cat Awareness" month, I thought it only fitting to feature some of my black cat paintings. Black fur is a challenge to paint. But it usually has blue, silver or brown highlights which makes it a little easier. And black really brings out a cat's eyes....

Aside from individual portraits, I offer duos (two pets on one board) for $200.00. In case you have pets that refuse to pose separately, I thought I'd share the last four twosomes I've painted this year. Togetherness has its own rewards!

I always enjoy seeing photos of clients (both human and animal) with my portraits. Here's a bunch of new ones I haven't posted before. I love the idea that my paintings are displayed all over the states. Meet some clients from Florida, California, North Carolina and Georgia!

In honor of Labor Day tomorrow, I've decided to feature a canine that has been associated with fires (and fire engines) for centuries: the Dalmatian. (Notice the correct spelling!) Meet some that I've painted starting with Tay. Then Lainey, then toy-loving Lacey. Have a safe holiday weekend!

Today is "World Lizard Day." In its honor I've decided to post some lizards I've painted. The first one I did (Qwinn) got run over the day after I finished painting his portrait. The blue one (appropriately named Iggy Blue) belonged to my dentist. The third is a tegu lizard named Dahlia, Tegus do not pose a large threat to humans, but they can bite.