🐾 Pet Portraits with Paula 🐾
Because some family members have four legs.
Custom oil portraits of the animals who make our houses feel like home.
🐾 Meet Copper the Red Dalmatian 🐾
Copper has a curious spirit and a face that makes it nearly impossible not to smile. He's the sort of companion who turns an ordinary afternoon into an adventure simply by following his nose and his heart. Wherever Copper goes, a little more fun seems to follow.
Oil on canvas panel.
They're family.
You know that.
The way they greet you when you walk through the door.
The way they curl up beside you.
The funny habits that nobody else understands.
The look in their eyes.
The personality that somehow feels bigger than their little body.
That's what makes a pet portrait special.
I don't want to simply paint what your pet looks like.
I want to paint how your pet makes you feel. What makes you love them.
Our portrait process
🐾 From Your Favorite Photograph to a Family Heirloom 🐾
Your pet's portrait isn't painted in a hurry. It's lovingly built, layer by layer, so I can capture not just what your pet looks like—but the personality you know and love.
Please allow approximately four weeks for your portrait to be completed. Sometimes your painting will be ready sooner (happy surprise!), but I build this time into every commission so your portrait has the time it needs to become something truly special.
1. We Choose the Perfect Photograph 📸
You share your favorite photographs with me, and together we'll choose the one that best captures your pet's personality, expression, and spirit.
2. We Bring the Portrait to Life on Paper First ✏️
Your Sketch
Before I put a drop of paint on the canvas, I create a working sketch showing your pet's design and the background.
We'll look at it together and talk through any changes you'd like to make.
Once you're happy with the sketch and design, you'll pay your 50% non-refundable deposit, and the painting begins!
After this approval stage further changes cannot be made.
3. The Portrait Takes Shape 🎨
I begin with an underpainting, establishing your pet's form, light, shadow, and values. This is the foundation that gives the finished painting its depth and dimension.
Then comes a little patience while the paint dries—usually about two days.
4. The Color & Personality Appear ✨
Now the fun really begins!
I build in the beautiful colors and unique characteristics that make your pet unmistakably them—their special coat, those soulful eyes, and the colors and atmosphere of the background.
Then we let the painting rest and dry for about a week.
5. The Little Details That Make Them Yours ❤️
Once the color layers are dry, I return to the painting with finer details in oil paint.
This is where the personality really starts to shine through—the sparkle in an eye, the texture of a coat, a familiar expression.
Those delicate whiskers!
Another short drying period allows the painting to settle before its final finishing steps.
6. The Finishing Touches 🖼️
Finally, your portrait receives its protective final varnish and is given approximately another week to dry and cure properly.
7. You are notified your painting is ready. Yay!
When your painting is finished, I'll send you a photograph so you can see your portrait before it comes home.
Once you've had a chance to admire your new family heirloom, the remaining 50% balance is due.
8. Then I carefully package your portrait and send it on its way to you.
And then... the best part. 🐾❤️
Your portrait arrives at your door.
You unwrap it.
You see those familiar eyes looking back at you.
And suddenly, a little piece of the love you share with your pet is something you can hold onto forever.
That's why I take my time.
Because your pet is worth it.
Sizes & Pricing
Choose the size that fits your story.
5 × 7
$400
Perfect for a smaller portrait or a special little companion.
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8 × 10
$800
A beautiful classic size—and the one I'd recommend for most individual pets.
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16 x 20
$1500
For a larger statement piece or a portrait with more room to breathe.
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🐾 Meet Winston the Retriever
Winston is the kind of dog who seems to know when someone needs a little extra love, always ready with a gentle gaze and a wagging tail. He makes everyone feel welcome, whether they're coming through the front door or simply having a difficult day. His greatest gift is the quiet, uncomplicated joy he brings just by being there.
His watchful eyes tell me he’d be at home in the country watching over his Master’s property, guarding the homestead. That easy tilt of his head says he’s just as happy curled up beside his Master’s chair, content just being by your side.
Oil on canvas panel.
Every pet has a story.
Here are a few of the beloved faces I've had the joy of painting in my studio. These aren't commissioned portraits—they're paintings created while exploring the art of capturing the personality and spirit of our animal companions.
Perhaps your pet will be next.🐾
COMMISSION YOUR PET PORTRAIT
🐾 Meet Belvedere, the English Bulldog 🐾
This sweet Bulldog has mastered the art of looking serious while carrying an enormous amount of love in his heart.
Beneath that wonderfully wrinkled face is a loyal companion who would much rather be close to his people than anywhere else. He's a reminder that sometimes the biggest personalities come in the squishiest packages.
Known as the University of Georgia’s official football mascot, UGA, bulldogs come in a variety of colors and sizes.
Oil on canvas.
🐾 Meet Teddy the Cockapoo
Teddy is a happy little soul with a heart much bigger than his fluffy coat. He has a way of making everyone around him feel like they're his favorite person in the whole world. His greatest talent may simply be reminding us that life is better with a little silliness, a lot of love, and a very good dog nearby.
Oil on canvas panel.
🐾 Meet Snowball, the Siberian Cat 🐾
Snowball looks like she stepped out of a winter fairy tale, with those enormous blue eyes and a coat made for cuddling. Her brightly colored background fits her heritage - Northern Lights for a Siberian Kitty.
She's gentle, beautiful, and just a little bit regal—though she knows perfectly well that the best place for a princess is in someone's lap.
Once Snowball chooses you, consider yourself wonderfully and permanently loved.
Oil on canvas panel.
🐾 Meet Rosie the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel 🐾
Rosie has the kind of gentle expression that seems to say, “Come sit with me.”
Laps are her favorite place to share. She loves being near her people and has a special talent for turning ordinary moments into cozy ones.
With her soft eyes and beautiful ears, Rosie is the definition of a little dog with a very big heart.
Oil on canvas panel.
🐟 Meet Finn — the Fighting Betta Fish 🐠
Who says all pets have to have four legs? Sometimes the best pets have fins.
Finn may be small, but he fills his little underwater world with extraordinary color and personality. Watching him glide through the water is like having a tiny jewel come to life right before your eyes.
His turquoise and gold coloring tells us God was having a great day when He created Finn.
He's proof that some of the most beautiful companions don't need four paws—or even a bark—to steal your heart.
Oil on cradle board.
🐾 Meet Friday, the Black Kitty 🐈⬛
Friday adopted us one Friday the 13th –– he just showed up asking to be our housecat. We took him in, of course. And we named him Friday.
Friday is the mysterious little guardian who seems perfectly at home among the grasses and shadows. Those bright eyes reveal a curious, clever soul who is always watching the world around him.
But behind that independent spirit is a soft-hearted companion who knows exactly when it's time to come home for a little love.
Oil on canvas.
🐾 Baby Dog Brutus — American Bulldog Puppy 🐾
Brutus was our dog.
He was a fierce protector of his home and his people, taking his job very seriously while having the gentlest heart with the children he loved.
He gave his family the comforting feeling that someone was always watching over them, but underneath that brave exterior was simply a dog who loved his family completely.
Though Brutus is gone now - he’s crossed the Rainbow Bridge—the love and protection he gave remain part of the family story—and that is a beautiful legacy for a such a good dog. ❤️
Oil on canvas.
🐾 Meet Lucky Charms — the Orange Tabby Cat 🐾 ☘️ 🐈
Lucky Charms didn't exactly get adopted—he adopted his people, arriving as a stray and somehow deciding that he'd found his forever home.
He escaped the night from a BEAR who was on the loose in our neighborhood! God sent him straight to our doorstep, and we invited him in. 🧡
Of course, we opened our home, and our hearts to him. Best. Decision. Ever.
He's a fabulous mouser, loves his dogs, and has the softest, gentlest purr that makes it impossible to remember that he once lived life as a stray.
Lucky Charms is living proof that sometimes the very best family members are the ones who find you. 🐱
Oil on canvas.
🐾 Meet Squeaky Lou — The Lap Warmer 🐾 🐈
Squeaky Lou found us, too, and she brought with her the most incredible tail, beautiful green eyes, and a gentle little spirit that makes it impossible not to love her.
(Yes, the word has gotten out in our community - we’re the home where the kittens seek refuge.)
Squeaky is special. She has a quiet way of making herself at home, especially when there's a warm lap available for curling up on.
Sometimes a gift from God arrives with four paws, a magnificent tail, and a very clear opinion about whose lap belongs to her. 🧡
Oil on canvas.
FAQ
What kind of photograph do you need?
I prefer close-up shots of your pet’s face so I can see the details that make them special. I want to see their eyes, especially the colors in them.
Those pictures make the best paintings.
Your cell phone camera should work fine.
PLEASE clean the camera lens before you take the pictures.
Go outside around 2pm on a sunny day, so you can capture shadows and sunlight.
Get down on their level to take the pictures.
Get someone to assist you, and possibly give them treats to hold their interest when you take the pictures.
Send me your favorites.
Oh, and you can download my free pdf guide on how to take the
BEST Pet Photos for your commission.
Can you paint more than one pet?
No, at this time I’m focusing on one animal per portrait. 🐈
How many photos do you want?
At least three if possible. Most people have tons of photos of their pets, so more than three works too.
How long does a portrait take?
A pet portrait in oils usually takes four weeks from the initial deposit payment to the day the final varnish dries. Then we ship it to you once you pay the balance.
Do you offer revisions?
Revisions must be completed in the sketch phase. That’s why we meet, either via email, zoom, or in person to finalize those details.
Once I’m past the sketch phase, revisions are not accepted.
How do I get started?
Go to the pet portrait sales page and pay your deposit.
This secures your place on my pet portrait commission calendar, which can get pretty booked up this time of year.
I’ll be in touch with you about details and getting started,
usually within 24-48 hours.
I can’t wait to speak with you about your pet and their personality, and starting on your commission.
How is my finished portrait shipped?
I use the US postal service, priority mail, US shipping only.
You will be sent a tracking number when your portrait ships.
And I want pictures of your happy expression the second you receive your painting!
Thank you in advance! I’m so excited about working with you on this very special project. If you have any additional questions, please email me @ paula@paulamillhousefineart.com