Shelley Lowell Pet Portraits - Talkie Tuesday Interview

Lucas

Shelley, first why don’t you tell our readers about your blog Personalized Pet Portrait Paintings?

I started writing a blog about my pet portrait paintings because in the process of meeting pet lovers who wanted a painting done of their pet, I heard many wonderful stories about the relationship between the pets and their owners. I wanted to highlight some of these stories. I consider it a privilege and honor for my clients to share their feelings and stories about their pets. It makes me feel as if I am a family member while painting the portrait.

Also I wanted a way to showcase the paintings so perspective clients could see my samples. Blogging seemed a more personal approach then a website.

How did you decide to do commissioned pet portraits?

That is a story I am going to put on my blog very soon. It began in 1999 with Cocoa, a three-year-old Himalayan cat. She became very ill soon after I adopted her from a rescue. The medical bills became overwhelming in the process of trying to save her sweet life. It suddenly occurred to me that if I could get pet portrait commissions, it would be a way to pay off the bills. My first commission was from Cocoa’s vet. Since then, I have done numerous paintings of dogs, cats and birds. I’d love to paint a horse commission one day.

Dusty

Have you always been an animal lover?

Yes, I have loved animals ever since I can remember. I had a dog, turtles, and birds as a child and drew and painted them from an early age. I got my first cat, Kasha, when I was in my early twenties. He was an amazing cat. I adopted Varnishka, so he could have a companion. They were the start of my long devotion to cats. Sharing my life with animals is a gift, they give unconditional love. Their innate intelligence and silly antics add love, laughter and joy every day to my life.

Do you currently have pets?

I have 5 gentle cats, all rescues, and Sammy, a Shih Tzu rescue. They all get along beautifully.

Do you feel a connection to the pets that you paint?

Oh yes. Many times I will meet the animal, if he or she lives near me and I take photos for my reference. Than I get to experience their energy and personality first hand. When clients live a distance away from me, they send me photos of their pet or pets either by email or snail mail, I get a feeling of their personalities from the pictures.

Pheebee

What’s the hardest animal you’ve ever painted?

Each painting has its challenges. For example, an animal that is one color, such as an all black lab can be a challenge. How do you create highlights and form without making a black dog look gray? The most difficult one was my first commission, Pheebee, the cat. It was the combination of a three-quarter view of her face plus her markings. It took awhile for me to get it right. In general, I work on a painting for as long as it takes, until I feel I have captured the animal perfectly.

How do people react when they see your finished work?

Many of my clients cry when they see the painting of their pet for the first time. Not out of sadness. It is outpour of sheer, heartfelt emotion. It touches them so deeply. And it touches me to be a part of this special moment.

Harry

If someone is interested in having their pet painted, how do they contact you?

They can email me at shellspirit@starpower.net or call me at 203-730-0664. If they get my voice mail, please leave a message. I could be in the middle of painting and will return the call as soon as I can.

Thank you so much for you time!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this.