Watercolor Pet Portraits by Marla

Have some Christmas commissions I’m working on. While waiting on paint to dry I decided to paint a misty autumn mountain scene. I’m ready for less heat but not quite ready to let go of summer, how about you?

It’s abstract but not. Found this gem while cleaning out my art closet. I probably painted this 20 years ago as a sample for a larger version. Surely you know what you’re looking at 😁. Might need to frame it.

This is SugaBlu. I had many photos to go by of this sweet gal, tried a mish-mash….but I just kept coming back to these eyes. Her humans miss her but they have “Pinkie”, a piece of her blanket, and now a portrait to remind them of all the love and joy this fur-baby brought them.

This is Tug. That’s right, Tug, the Pug. That head tilt and his dapper bow tie would tug at anyone’s heartstrings. I enjoyed painting him from his creases down to his infamous crooked toenail! Here’s to all the pets that Tug on our hearts!

I have a vendor booth at the Celebrity Catwalk in Spartanburg today! Spartanburg pet fashion week! Gah…The walkway gowns!!

Mother’s Day weekend gave me the chance to reflect on my mom, and paint one of her favorite flowers. Only wish I could give it to her. Happy Mother‘s day everyone! Cherish them while they‘re here! 💛

Meet Kimber. I knew a few years ago when my friend posted a silly picture of her Great Dane that I would one day paint her….specifically that picture. Well, said friend just had a birthday, and if you happen to live near me you might recognize Kimber. She‘s been missing since mid March with regular sightings until a few weeks ago. We‘re hoping a recent sighting can be confirmed to be Kimber, but I just knew the next best thing to having Kimber home for real for her birthday would be a portrait. Hoping she comes home soon! 🥹

Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift?
A gift certificate for a pet portrait would be perfect!

Someone has waited almost four years for a portrait of her babies. Finally made time to paint my daughter’s “world”. This is Phil and Stella. Stella took time out of her day to see who that gorgeous kitty was that looked just like her. Worldly Phil was snoozing somewhere. ☺️

This is Conchita. Could she have a more perfect name?? I think the only thing more perfect was the love her human had for her while she was here. Honored to have painted her! 😊.

I‘ve donated two pet portraits to Project Hope Foundation‘s Evening of Hope silent auction.

Project Hope Foundation is a nonprofit organization here in the upstate of South Carolina, providing a lifespan of autism services. If you’ve had a pet portrait in mind, please consider bidding on my two portraits at the link below. The lots for these two portraits are 501, and 504. There’s a ton of other exciting things to bid on as well!

Https://qtego.us/qlink/projecthopesc

Project Hope Foundation | Qtego Auction Technology - QLink Project Hope Foundation

I took inspiration from my favorite Great Blue Heron who we affectionately call Scar. While the Scar on his bill has faded, his missing toe is still missing so he’s easily identifiable. Recent photos I took of him inspired me. Might have to do a marsh series!

This is Winston. The photos I had to paint from on this guy were fun! He loved his toys, and based on the number of photographic evidence…he loved his pacifiers! So much so that I felt compelled to ask if a pacifier was warranted in the portrait! 😂. This portrait portrays his regal name a little better. Hate that his human is hurting from his loss, but am certain stories will be told for years to come about Winston and his Paci!

Wow! This memory came up today. Looks like I’ve been “officially” painting pet portraits for 10 years now! I won’t say how long I’ve been painting in watercolor- that’ll age me! 😂😂😂

A few months back I was asked to paint something not quite the norm for me. The inspiration was a photo of a tattoo …of a flower on a mushroom smoking a flower. 😁. This was my take! I’ll probably stick to dogs and cats but was happy to make someone happy! ☺️

This is Marvin, a sweet beagle mix who was his human’s world. His sudden loss has left her heart torn, but memories of this sweet boy will live on with a tug like all of our fur babies. Having a daughter who named her cat Phil, I just have to say his name made me smile each time I talked to him and called him by name while painting him. 🥰

This is Rosey. Her portrait was a gift to her human… who is literally an ‘Awesome Dude’. I know he was saddened when she crossed the rainbow bridge earlier this year- I hope in time this brings a smile and cherished memories.

This is Boss. I tell most of my clients that being at eye level with their best friend makes for the best portrait, but sometimes looking down on our fur babies is how we see them most… and how could these toofies be any cuter at eye level! ☺️.

Meet Lucky! When Lucky’s human sent me resource photos I just kept coming back to this one even though his eyes were closed. His expression is so peaceful and full of content enjoying the sun. Here’s hoping your 2024 is filled with just as much Peace and contentment as Lucky here!

I’ve just taken my last commission before Christmas. If you’re still looking for gift Ideas, a gift certificate might be a score big gift! 🎨👩‍🎨

This is Lottie. I’ve never met Lottie, but doesn’t she look like she’s just inviting you to drop to your knees and run your fingers through her beautiful coat and hug her?? That’s all I wanted to do as I painted her portrait . 🥰. Honored to have painted her and jealous of the human that does get to give her those hugs!

Might be a Christmas card in there. 🎄

Sad that our sweet “buns”, Cadbury crossed the rainbow bridge today. He’s been a great bedside companion for my daughter for the last eight plus years. He will be missed.

This is Seymour. This beautiful boy must have stolen some hearts with those eyes 😍. Leukemia took him across that rainbow bridge far too soon. While Seymour is not the first dog I’ve painted with this terrible disease, he is the first that made me look into it, and see what organizations are out there working toward a future without this disease. Because of Seymour, I’ve made a donation to The National Canine Cancer Foundation and vow to do so whenever I paint a precious soul who has crossed the bridge from this disease. If you care to join me…. https://wearethecure.org/how-to-get-involved/

Hopefully none of the other small businesses tagged by “Protections Secure Page” acting like META and threatening to shut down their page for copyright infringement fell for the “solution” to keeping their page from being shut down. Thankfully I didn’t fall for it.

Facebook users targeted in copyright infringement scam | Cybernews Hackers are sending fake copyright infringement notices to Facebook users to steal their credentials, a new research by Avanan has found.

This came up in my memories today. I snuck a picture of my neighbors dog in her backyard while she was away to paint this portrait for her birthday. While it usually take me anywhere between 1-2 weeks to finish a painting, sometimes the perfect angle and perfect light inspires me and the stars align like they did the night I painted Jingles. From photo to finish was probably just two hours. He is white after all…. I just had to paint a background 😂😂😂. (Ok, ok, there was a little more to it ha!)

This is Ollie. It’s hard when we humans lose a pet and especially so when we only have a short time with these bundles of fur that tug on our hearts. Sadly Ollie‘s human only had eight years with him, but they were jam packed with love and devotion. I hope she loves his portrait.

This is sweet Amtrak. He was rescued after being found near some railroad tracks when he was about 4. Aside from getting a really cool name after his rescue, he also hit the lottery in the form of a forever family- where he reigned for 7 years . Sadly, Amtrak has crossed the rainbow trestle, but his sweet kale loving image lives on. Even with his loss I hope it was the happiest of Mother’s Days for his sweet human and her sweet teenager who gifted her this portrait. ❤️

Fitting that this Mother’s Day I received an art related gift! 😆