Work in Progress

Completed Artwork

Rhonda was able to take an idea for our baby's nursery and turn it into a beautiful work of art. It's absolutely perfect! One of our favorite things in his room.
~BritneyI just wanted to thank you for the portrait you did of Rambo, a birthday gift for my sister-in-law. We both cannot believe how realistic and beautiful the portrait turned out. You are an amazing artist.
~RitaI’ve known Rhonda for years; I always knew she had an artistic talent. When my beloved dog suddenly passed away, Rhonda knew I was heartbroken. A few weeks passed and Rhonda gifted me with a truly lifelike drawing of my Kora. I will never forget that day. The detail in her drawing is amazing. This woman deserves to be doing what she loves to do, and has been gifted to do. She’s an amazing talent.
~TisaThe picture Rhonda made for me of my sweet puppy is perfect. The time she puts into her art and the detail is incredible. You will not be disappointed!
~TrishaRhonda did an amazing dolphin art piece for me. I absolutely love it! I have yet to frame it, but it is going to look beautiful on my wall. Her passion and skill for drawing is clearly visible in her work. I've looked at many of her pieces and I'm amazed at them all. Absolutely beautiful. You won't be disappointed! Thank you again Rhonda for my amazing dolphin picture.
~Kim

The art piece turned out beautiful and well beyond my expectations! I would definitely recommend Rhonda to anyone! Thank you, thank you! So happy!
~TennilleShe did an amazing job on my Christmas present from my mom. The care and detail she put into it was phenomenal. She is extremely talented and I would recommend her to anyone that asks! You most certainly won't be disappointed at all. Thank you so much Rhonda for the beautiful picture of my dogs!!
~JenI cannot begin to thank you enough for the stunningly beautiful portrait you did of Loki. Your love of animals certainly shines through in your work. You are so incredibly talented.
~LynnRhonda did a portrait of our 13 year old Shih Tzu / Bichon Frise mix. I was blown away at the perfect likeness of our dog. She captured our dog perfectly. We will cherish her portrait forever. Amazingly talented lady. Thank you Rhonda!
~AnnaFor Christmas this year, Rhonda drew a portrait of my family's cat, which I gave to my sister. It was excellently done, and it was certainly the highlight of the holidays. I definitely recommend Rhonda, as she puts so much time and effort into her art. You will not be disappointed!
~JoshI can't believe she captured Paco so well. She is so talented!
~Diane

coloured pencil drawing
on white archival paper

8" x 10"

$200 (can)

head and shoulders pose
one animal per portrait

• Order

coloured pencil drawing
on white archival paper

9" x 12"

$240 (can)

head and shoulders pose
one animal per portrait

• Order

coloured pencil drawing
on white archival paper

11" x 14"

$280 (can)

head or full body pose
one animal per portrait

• Order

What coloured pencils do you use?
I use highly pigmented, lightfast, professional coloured pencils, that resist fading due to UV light exposure. Faber-Castell Polychromos, Derwent Lightfast, Derwent Drawing, and Prismacolor Premier are my favourites.What colour of paper do you use?
I use bright white, archival, fine art paper, that does not yellow when exposed to air or UV light. Legion Stonehenge White, and Fabriano Artistico Hot Press Extra White are my favourites.Why don't you use toned paper anymore?
Past clients found it difficult to choose a coloured background, complicating the ordering process.Do you include background details?
I do not include background details, as they can distract the viewer, and create a cluttered appearance. In contrast, a clean white background keeps the focus on the animal subject, and highlights its unique features.How does the ordering process work?
The ordering process can be broken down into 5 easy steps. You can read a detailed explanation of each step in the Ordering Process section.How long does it take to complete a portrait?
I complete portraits on a first come; first served basis. Typically, they take a month or two to complete, depending on the number of portraits I currently have booked in my calendar. An estimated delivery date will be provided.What portrait sizes are available?
Portraits are available in 8"x10", 9"x12", and 11"x14" standard picture frame sizes. For details, please visit the Portrait Prices section.Can you make a portrait of any animal?
Yes, I can make a portrait of any wild or domestic animal, as long as I have a good reference photo with enough detail and good lighting.Are my photos good enough?
The better the photo; the better the portrait. High-resolution photos with lots of detail and good lighting are required to achieve a high degree of realism. I can combine the best elements from several photos, so send more than one (if possible). Please read my Pet Photography Tips for helpful advice on photographing your pet.Should I frame my portrait?
You should frame your portrait to protect it from UV light, dust, and moisture. I recommend that you hang it away from direct sunlight, and use museum/art glass and acid-free matting/mounting materials.Can I use your artwork for commercial purposes?
My artwork is for personal use only. It can not be reproduced, sold, or used for any commercial purpose (for profit), without my written permission. As the artist, I retain full copyright to my artwork, and reserve the right to use it for advertising and/or commercial purposes.

What are your prices?
My price list is located the Portrait Prices section. Portraits are priced according to size. Prices are listed in Canadian dollars, and include HST.What methods of payment do you accept?
I accept Interac e-Transfers, direct bank deposits and credit card payments.How do I purchase a portrait?
The portrait price is divided in half, and paid in two, non-refundable payments. Each payment is invoiced separately. For example, if the portrait price was $400, you would be invoiced for two separate $200 payments.When will you send the first invoice?
I will send the first invoice when I have approved your reference photos. After payment, I will add your portrait to my calendar, send you an estimated delivery date, and begin work on your portrait.When will you send the second invoice?
I will send the second invoice when you have approved the completed portrait. After payment, I will ship your portrait, and send you a tracking number.Can I cancel my order?
Orders can be cancelled at any time, but payments are non-refundable.Do you offer refunds?
I do not offer refunds on custom artwork, as it is made to order, and designed to suit the unique tastes and requirements of a specific buyer.What countries do you ship to?
I ship to Canada and the United States.What does shipping cost?
Shipping is free in Canada and the United States. I am not responsible for US duty/fees/taxes that may be charged at the border.How long does shipping take?
Shipping can take up to 15 business days, depending on your location. I am not responsible for shipping delays that are out of my control, such as; postal strikes, pandemics, or delays at the border due to customs.What if my portrait is lost in shipping?
If your portrait does not arrive within 15 business days, contact me immediately. I will need to contact the shipping company to confirm the portrait has been lost, before a replacement can be granted. I reserve the right to refuse a replacement, if the shipping company provides proof of delivery, or the client fails to contact me within 5 business days of the expected delivery date.What if my portrait arrives in damaged packaging?
Before opening the damaged packaging, take detailed photos of the front and back. Then, carefully open it, and remove the portrait. If the portrait is damaged, take detailed photos of the front and back, and contact me immediately. I will need to approve your photos, before a replacement can be granted. I reserve the right to refuse a replacement, if the client fails to provide adequate photographic proof, or fails to contact me within 5 business days of the expected delivery date.

1) Take lots of pictures. The more you take, the better your chances of getting the perfect shot. For the best results, I prefer to work from several head and body reference photos. This allows me to accurately replicate your pet's unique facial features, eye colour, markings and coat texture.2) Use a tripod and turn off the flash. Photos taken outside with a tripod and no flash are best for pet portraits. The tripod will steady your shots and the natural light will provide an accurate colour reference. Shooting on slightly overcast days, or in the shade on a sunny day, will give you the best results. Have your pet face the sun to avoid having dark shadows on their face.3) Get down to their eye level. Shooting your pet at their eye level, by crouching down or having them sit on a chair, allows you to capture accurate facial features and body proportions.4) Try different camera angles. Take pictures of your pet from different perspectives to so you don't miss important details. Shoot them facing you straight on and from the right and left side. This will allow me to see the colour of both eyes, the shape of the nose and the direction of the fur.5) Choose your location carefully. Find a quiet spot with few distractions that is familiar to your pet, so they will feel comfortable and at ease. Keep your pet in focus and don't worry about what is visible in the background, as I will remove the background with software.

Get Down to Their Eye Level

6) Get their attention and make it fun. Hold treats or toys above your head to help them stay focused on you. Reward them often with treats and short breaks to play with their toys.7) Tire them out. If your pet tends to be too excited and impatient to cooperate with you, give them some exercise beforehand, so they will be calm and relaxed during the shoot.8) Get in close. Capture as many fine details as possible. Photos that are in focus, with lots of detail make the best reference photos. The better the photo, the better your pet portrait will be. Zoom in to get shots of their eyes, nose and any unique markings on their face or body.9) Ask for help. Get a friend or family member to assist with posing your pet. Ask them to hold your pet still or handle the leash, so you can focus on getting the best picture you can.10) Capture their unique personality. Does your pet have a facial expression or head tilt that you feel is unique to them? The one that makes your heart melt every time they make that face or strike that pose? Photos that capture a pet's unique personality are perfect for pet portraits.

Capture Their Unique Personality

Step 1:
To begin the ordering process, please fill out the order form located in the Order a Portrait section, and attach your reference photos (each photo must be under 16MB).*Please read my Pet Photography Tips for helpful advice on taking pictures of your pet, before you submit your order.

Step 2:
When I receive your order, I will let you know if your reference photos are suitable for my work.a) If they are suitable, I will send you an invoice for the non-refundable 50% down payment. After payment, I will book your portrait in my calendar, send you an estimated delivery date, and begin work on your portrait.b) If your photos are not suitable, I will request new ones.

Step 3:
Using your photo references, I will create a rough pencil sketch, and send it to you for approval. When the sketch is approved, I will begin adding details to the portrait.

Step 4:
As I add details to your portrait, I will send in-progress photos to you for approval. This allows minor adjustments to be made as the work progresses, to ensure your satisfaction with the completed portrait.

Step 5:
When the portrait is completed to your satisfaction, I will send you a second invoice for the remaining non-refundable 50% payment. After payment, I will ship your portrait, and send you a tracking number.