About Me
Although I wasn't able to continue studying art at school, I've always enjoyed being creative. For many years after leaving school, I dabbled in watercolour painting, but I never felt it gave me the level of detail I was looking for.
In 2013, I discovered an artist on Instagram who worked exclusively in pencil. Inspired by their work, I decided to give it a try and quickly realised that graphite allowed me to create the fine detail I had always wanted. Unlike painting, drawing didn't require the same amount of time to set up and clear away, so I found myself with many more opportunities to practise. I also discovered that drawing was a wonderful way to slow down and be mindful.
One of my first pencil portraits was of my own Border Collie, Eddie, and it just felt like the perfect fit for me, combining my love of being creative with my love of animals. Versions of his portrait feature throughout my website and branding as a reminder of where my artistic journey began. Each time I've drawn him I've been reminded just how precious our animals are and why preserving those memories through portraiture means so much.
London – Yorkshire Terrier, 2013. One of my earliest graphite pencil portraits.
Later that year, I invested in artist-quality pencils and created the Yorkshire Terrier portrait shown here as a gift for a friend. The following year, I completed a horse portrait as a housewarming gift for a friend at work, and seeing that drawing led to more friends and colleagues asking me to create portraits of their own much-loved animals.
In 2019, I began working with coloured pencils, opening up even more possibilities for creating vibrant, lifelike portraits. Today, I continue to create bespoke pet portraits on a part-time basis, celebrating the special bond between people and their pets.
Working in the veterinary industry, I've had the privilege of meeting so many devoted pet owners, and many of my commissions come from colleagues who trust me to capture their pets' personalities. Seeing the special bond people share with their animals has only strengthened my appreciation of the importance of preserving those memories through my artwork.
There's nothing more rewarding than knowing a portrait I've created will become a lasting reminder of a much-loved companion, especially when it helps honour the memory of a beloved pet.
Whether you're welcoming a new addition to the family or remembering a much-loved companion, I'd be honoured to create a portrait that you'll treasure for years to come.
Sarah-Jayne