Paint Your Darlin' Pet Portraits by Carol Ann Newsome

Paint Your Darlin'

I love my pets. They play a huge role in my life. All of them have been straight-off-the-street rescues. Some were in a serious health crisis when I took them in. I love their personalities. I am grateul for their love and loyalty. Ever since I met animal communicators Donetta Zimmerman and Linda Thomas, I love them as the complex beings they are.

Like all things important to me, animal companions have found their way into my art. Even more important than a likeness is capturing the personality of each animal. Most of our animal companions will pass away, but their impact on our lives is forever. A portrait painted in the prime of life is a wonderful way to keep them with you always.

Portraits start at $500 for a 16" x 20" oil on canvas. Prices for other sizes available on request. Shipping and travel expenses outside the Greater Cincinnati area are not included. I require a series of good photos. If possible, I prefer to meet your animal and take the photos myself. Below are two of my favorite portraits

Max

Max came to me just after my first dog, Beez, had to be put down due to a heartbreaking degenerative neurological disease. I was determined to not have another dog when my neighbor Rudy brought Max home and put her in the basement (she was crawling with fleas and had hundreds of sores on her legs) It took him three days to convince me to look at her, my response being, "I'll say hello, but I'M NOT TAKING HER!" One look at those big eyes and lovely smile and I was lost. Max maintains discipline in my house, making sure that I walk twice a day. she became my lifesaver shortly after I adopted her. I was struck by a car and suffered from much pain and fatigue for 3 years. Without her pushy ways, I would never have forced myself to exercise enough and my pain would likely have become permanent.

Lightning

Darci picked up Lightning at a truck stop in Arizona, during her years of following the Grateful Dead. When the prodigal daughter returned home, Lightning came with her. Lightning is an aloof animal and I felt compelled to depict her against the back drop of Monument Valley, home of outlaws and site of lonely journeys. It was after I made this decision that I was told she had been found in that area.