Monika Murray – Pet Portrait Artist in Pastel
Nature and art have been prominent throughout my life so it was not surprising that I gravitated initially towards botanical art. I first used water colour, and also then oils. I loved gardening and plants so much and sketched many a flower in my time. However I found I was becoming frustrated by the movement of the plants, even when they were standing in a jar of water.
I turned my attention to my other passion, that of dogs and began drawing in coloured pencil. My first drawings which were often quite small and delicate. I didn’t quite have the confidence or experience and would over-work the pieces or have too light a tough. My breakthrough moment was when a fellow artist told me to just ‘go big’ and try using pastels and since then I have never looked back.
For most people a portrait of their pet is sufficient as a head and shoulder although I have to confess my real delight is being asked to draw a complete pet. That gives me so much more scope to capture the personality of the animal.
I don’t just draw dogs though. I have drawn cats and horses, in fact any pets are possible. As long as I am given a good photograph to draw from I am happy. And if I can stir a memory by producing a drawing of a lost pet or a special friend, then that is wonderful too. If there are tears as well that’s a bonus!
I have been busy the last few years with more commissions and happy customers, so why not drop me a line and see how I can create an extra special pet portrait for you.