How the Custom Pet Portrait Process Works at PetArtStudios

PetArtStudios takes a photograph you supply and turns it into custom animal artwork, keeping you involved through progress updates and accepting your input before the piece is finished. The studio, run by artist Rachel in Altoona, PA, produces original portraits of dogs, cats, and other pets, and can also deliver the artwork in forms suited to merchandise and awards. The process suits individual pet owners as well as breed clubs and organizations that need standards-accurate art for trophies, logos, or merchandise.

What the Studio Produces

PetArtStudios creates custom animal artwork based on your pet. The site describes dog paintings, cat paintings, and pet portraits, with the artist's stated focus on animals, imagination, and color. Beyond a single portrait, the studio's work has been used for:

• Original artwork kept as a finished piece
• Black-and-white versions for merchandise
• Full-color versions for trophies and awards
• Logos for club events and national specialties

Step by Step: How a Commission Works

1. Send a photograph

The customer provides a photograph that serves as the basis for the artwork. In the Bedlington Terrier Club of America commission, the club sent a photo that Rachel used as the foundation for a National Specialty logo.

2. Discuss the brief

Before work begins, the artist talks through your ideas and concerns and offers input. The English Toy Spaniel Club of America's trophy chair noted that Rachel "was very patient, listened to my ideas and concerns and offered helpful input." For breed-specific work, say up front that the art must be true to the breed standard — that club specifically wanted all four varieties of its breed represented accurately.

3. Follow the progress

During creation, the artist shares pictures of the work in progress. Both cited club clients describe being kept "in the loop" throughout. This is the stage to raise corrections: the English Toy Spaniel club accepted input from its board of directors during the process, and the artist incorporated it.

4. Review and request versions

Ask during the commission — not after delivery — whether you need alternate formats. The Bedlington Terrier Club received both a black-and-white version for merchandise and a full-color version for trophies, and used the original artwork itself as the Best of Breed trophy.

5. Receive the finished piece

The final artwork is delivered as an original piece, with any agreed merchandise-ready or trophy versions. The Bedlington club reported its merchandise and trophies reaching members worldwide.

What to Prepare Before You Start

• A clear photograph of the pet, since the photo is the basis for the artwork
• The intended use: a personal portrait, a club logo, a trophy design, or merchandise
• Breed accuracy requirements, if the piece represents a recognized breed — state the standard you need followed
• Who approves the work: for clubs, identify whether a board or committee must sign off, so progress reviews include the right people
• Format needs: black-and-white, full color, or both

What Clients Report

The testimonials on the site come from organizational buyers and a long-time individual client. Kathie Lawrence, Trophy Chair for the English Toy Spaniel Club of America, valued that the artist had shown work at the juried Art Show at the Dog Show in Wichita, Kansas, and had prior experience with other breed clubs. Linda Freeman, Specialty Chair for the Bedlington Terrier Club of America, described the experience as fantastic and highly recommends Rachel for club specialty artwork. A long-time client, Daniel, describes a gift portrait that moved its recipient to tears.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Waiting until the end to request versions. Alternate formats were planned as part of the commission in the club examples; raise the need early.
• Leaving breed-standard details vague. If accuracy to a standard matters, say so at the brief stage and check the progress images against it.
• Skipping progress reviews. The shared progress pictures are where input is welcomed; use them rather than requesting changes after completion.
• Assuming a single approver. For clubs, confirm who gives feedback so the artist hears one consolidated set of notes.

To start, contact the studio through PetArtStudios.com with your photo and a short description of what you want the artwork for.