Pet Portraits by Cary
I am a fiber artist that specializes in needle felted pet portraits.
Thank you for your interest in a custom pet portrait. Below is information about my process. If you have any questions, please email me at petportraitsbycary@gmail.com.
Waitlist (currently closed)
I book pet portrait commissions through a waitlist. The waitlist is currently closed while I catch up.
If the waitlist is open and you are interested in being added, send an email to petportraitsbycary@gmail.com.
Once I receive your email, I will reply with a confirmation and a note indicating where you are on the waitlist.
Each portrait takes on average 10-14 days however some might take a little longer depending on my schedule and the complexity of the portrait. As I also have a fulltime job, I am only able to work on portraits in the evenings and weekends.
When you get near the top of the waitlist, I will reach out to see if you are still interested in commissioning a portrait and if so, I will send you an invoice through PayPal. Once the invoice is paid, I will need one or more reference photos.
Portrait Options and Pricing
I currently offer
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6x6 inch stretched linen canvas (unframed): $350 + shipping
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6x6 inch stretched linen canvas (framed): $380 + shipping
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6 inch hoop stretched linen $350 + shipping
Multiple pets per portrait can be requested (if the composition works), for an additional charge.
Tips for Reference Photos
I will need at least one clear reference photo of your pet that will be replicated as your portrait. My recommendation is to submit a few photos, noting which one or two are your preferred choices.
What makes a good reference photo?
* Photo taken in natural light is best. Avoid bright sun, strong shadows and indoor lighting at night.
* Clear, crisp details
* Taken at eye level of pet. Photos taken at eye level work better than those taken from above.
* Photo includes the pet's entire face and ears are fully in the photo with no bluriness.
* If your image is not very crisp or includes a lot of shadows, providing additional photos can be helpful in capturing coloring and specific features
Portrait mockup
Once the invoice is paid and I have reference photos in hand, I will provide you with a mockup of the portrait and along with a list of linen colors I have on hand for the background fabric.
I cannot guarantee that collars, bandanas or other items will be incorporated in the portrait. Decisions will be based on composition and complexity.
Incorporating Real Pet Fur
One of the most common questions I get is if I can use the pet's actual fur in the portrait. I do not use actual fur in the portrait since most collected fur is undercoat and does not represent the true colors. I am able to achieve the realistic look of the portrait by using many different colors and shades of wool.
If you would like me to incorporate a little bit of the fur combined with wool for memorial purposes, let me know and we can decide if it will be feasible.
Social Media
Please note, I retain the rights to reproduce (as prints, promo material, social media posts etc.) any artwork created from your submitted photo. As such, I often post progress videos on TikTok of the portrait I am currently working on with a few postings on Instagram. If your portrait is for a surprise for someone who is often on these apps, let me know so I can plan accordingly.
