About me
I am an artist and animal lover who has been depicting four-legged creatures my whole life, beginning with drawings of my childhood dogs. My professional career has been in art museums and arts administration, but I have studied art for many years at schools including the Art Institute of Chicago, the School of Visual Arts, American University, and the New York Studio School. In addition to painting, I also make illustrated children's books.
I live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with Buster, a mischievous and joyful dog. Buster and I are certified as a pet therapy team and volunteer for a program called A Fair Shake for Youth, which helps New York City kids build empathy and self-esteem and works to reduce bullying.
Commission a painting
Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.
—Colette
If you love your cat or dog, you will love seeing their portrait on a wall of your home. Their images evoke the intense attachment you feel toward them. But portraits also make wonderful presents for birthdays, Christmas or Hanukkah, graduations, and Mother's or Father's Day. They are also valued as memorials for a beloved departed pet.
My goal for every portrait I paint is to capture the essential nature of your pet—his or her spirit or soul. I usually work from photographs you send me but if you live in the New York City area, I'm happy to come to your home or a nearby park to take photos and get to know your pet. I work in oil or acrylic on canvas or wooden panel and generally keep the format small to create intimate portraits. Prices range from $750 to $1,000 and vary based on the size and complexity of the composition.
If you're interested in commissioning a portrait, or would like to find out more about the process, please email me at janetlanday@gmail.com.