Young artist describes the inspiration behind her animal portraits
29th October 2020
Artist and animal lover Maddie Dunn began taking commissions for pet portraits while she was doing her A-levels three years ago. After officially starting a business this year alongside university, she has already completed around 70 paintings. We spoke to her to find out more about her inspiration.
Artist and animal lover Maddie Dunn began taking commissions for pet portraits while she was doing her A-levels three years ago. After officially starting a business this year alongside university, she has already completed around 70 paintings. We spoke to her to find out more about her inspiration.
For Maddie, one of the most enjoyable parts of her work is being able to make people happy: “There’s something very rewarding about it, especially when it comes to the memorials, which I have done quite a lot of,” she explains. “It’s giving someone something that will make them happy and fill a little space in their heart.”
Maddie took her first commissions in 2017 when she was asked by a couple of people to paint their pets. Being an animal lover and having aspired to be an artist since she was a child, starting a business painting pets came naturally, but it wasn’t until February this year that she officially began Pet Portraits by Maddison.
With 70 portraits under her belt, it has already proved a highly successful venture and one that she hopes to continue after completing her degree in Illustration. Much of her business thus far has come by word of mouth or social media.
Commenting on her favourite commissions she says: “I’ve loved painting horses since I was little; they are probably my favourite to paint. I get to paint lots of dogs and I love dogs so that’s great for me – especially when their owners bring them round to meet me after I’ve painted them. I enjoy everything I do.”
Among the more unusual requests, Maddie was once asked to paint a client’s pet frog. One of the most challenging things about is her perfectionism, she adds.
“I’m a massive perfectionist so it’s trying to get each one to look the best it possibly can, because I want to make people happy,” she says. “Some of them have been really challenging composition wise, but that’s all the more rewarding when you finish it and you’re pleased with the results.”
All of Maddie’s portraits are currently completed from photos and she works with acrylics on canvas. She keeps the client informed of when she starts the project and updates them on progress before sending a photo of the finished portrait, so alterations can be made if needed before it is glossed and posted.
If you would like to talk to Maddie about a project or commission a painting, email: maddie.dunn99@aol.co.uk or visit her Facebook page.
