How to Incorporate Pet Portraits into Home Décor
Interior Decorating Goes to the Dogs (and Cats, and Hamsters…)
Jun 8, 2009
Animal portraits have long been a staple of the pet industry, but until recently they were reserved for more affluent customers commissioning portraits of racehorses and purebred show competitors. Now younger and hipper pet owners are commissioning more adventurous, less-traditional portraits that can be incorporated into their décor.
Pet portraits are sweeping the pet industry as a popular way to recognize those furry friends that bring so much to our lives. Recognizing how much animals mean to their families, artists like Tara Narbonne are answering the call for portraits that capture the unique personality and characteristics that make our pets so dear to us. Pet portraits can be especially meaningful because when one sees a pet portrait on the wall, it is a statement that this animal isn’t just any animal, but rather a pet that is a loved and cherished member of the family.
Why Commission a Custom Pet Portrait
Artists like Tara have the unique gift of being able to capture the personality and character of a pet in a way that photographs can’t. “Ask anyone about their pet and they’ll always describe it using human characteristics,” she says. “When a customer sends me a photograph of their pet I always ask questions and try to get to know the animal a little bit. That way I can really capture the animal’s spirit in the painting. It helps make the portrait that much more unique and meaningful.”
A custom portrait also allows the customer to choose the color, size, shape, and style of the piece so that it further compliments their décor. As with any custom work, the buyer retains complete control and is sure to get exactly what he or she wants. “I can create any scene or background that the customer wants,” says Tara. “I can also take animals in different photographs and put them together in one painting. For those troublemakers that refuse to pose together!”
Where to Put a Pet Portrait
Depending on the color and style of the painting, a pet portrait can be incorporated just about anywhere in the home. Some ideal spots are:
- Family rooms
- Kitchens
- Mudrooms
- Over dog beds, or crates/cages
- Wherever leashes and pet toys are kept
- Anywhere in a cottage or country home
When putting together a family portrait wall filled with individual photos, don’t forget to include the special member of the family who sometimes gets overlooked – the family pet.
Pet portraits also make wonderful gifts for friends and family. Surprise a loved one with a custom made painting, or a gift certificate so that they can have it made to their own specifications. Either way, it is a gift that will be treasured well into the future.
 |
