The artist with a furry friend
Artist's Bio
Have you ever looked in an animal's eyes and became suddenly aware of a soul behind those eyes? And you suddenly know: a dog is not just a dog when he's your mate!
It's this soul, their indominatable spirits, their radiant joy, their life force; their sense of humour and fun which we humans identify with - and from which we can learn so much - that captivates me and any animal lover, and that I strive to capture in my paintings.
Animals make us human. Animals are worthy of our respect and our awe.
That's my belief and why I choose to paint them. So that we can become humble in our observations, and become more ourselves. Their exultant, ebullient lives make ours richer.
When I choose an image, it's because it tells a story. Sometimes the story is about cuteness, sweetness and charm, and you experience a moment of softness and tenderness (usually verbalised as "Awww....") see (Hopelessly Devoted to You, Little Sir Echo, Amundsen,Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. That's okay, go ahead. Awww...is such a wonderful way to let go of our rigidity and our adultness and experience an inner sigh, a sweetness.
Other times the story is about wonder, majesty, regality (Hungarian Vizsla, Maine Coon Cat). Sometimes the story is simply fun (Playful Tom, Aquatherapy) or funny (Never Trust the Forecast). Others, it's the story of time gone by, as an old faithful dog naps in a doorway (Catching the Last Rays). And at times I love to paint a story with a mystery; what is that cat looking at? ( The Window).
It tells a story to humans about how wonderful and enriching animals are to us: both our companion animals and wild counterparts.
Most paintings are done in artist's-quality soft pastel because of its enormous range of colours, that it remains colour-true for many years, and the way it has a sparkle on the paper; faithfully representing the sparkle of the animals I paint. Other times coloured pencil is my first choice when the subject suggests fine detail, has lots and lots of patterned fur, or I am looking for a more illustrative or even shiny effect.
Coloured pencil has a transluency that can produce magical effects on paper, and any portrait done in this medium often surprises people with its realism, detail or painterly look.
I use acid-free, archival papers and boards that will stand the test of time without disintegrating.
Contact me for a quote for your pet portrait or favourite wildlife picture. And remember to bless all animals.
- Donna Ryan
Have you ever looked in an animal's eyes and became suddenly aware of a soul behind those eyes? And you suddenly know: a dog is not just a dog when he's your mate!
It's this soul, their indominatable spirits, their radiant joy, their life force; their sense of humour and fun which we humans identify with - and from which we can learn so much - that captivates me and any animal lover, and that I strive to capture in my paintings.
Animals make us human. Animals are worthy of our respect and our awe.
That's my belief and why I choose to paint them. So that we can become humble in our observations, and become more ourselves. Their exultant, ebullient lives make ours richer.
When I choose an image, it's because it tells a story. Sometimes the story is about cuteness, sweetness and charm, and you experience a moment of softness and tenderness (usually verbalised as "Awww....") see (Hopelessly Devoted to You, Little Sir Echo, Amundsen,Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. That's okay, go ahead. Awww...is such a wonderful way to let go of our rigidity and our adultness and experience an inner sigh, a sweetness.
Other times the story is about wonder, majesty, regality (Hungarian Vizsla, Maine Coon Cat). Sometimes the story is simply fun (Playful Tom, Aquatherapy) or funny (Never Trust the Forecast). Others, it's the story of time gone by, as an old faithful dog naps in a doorway (Catching the Last Rays). And at times I love to paint a story with a mystery; what is that cat looking at? ( The Window).
It tells a story to humans about how wonderful and enriching animals are to us: both our companion animals and wild counterparts.
Most paintings are done in artist's-quality soft pastel because of its enormous range of colours, that it remains colour-true for many years, and the way it has a sparkle on the paper; faithfully representing the sparkle of the animals I paint. Other times coloured pencil is my first choice when the subject suggests fine detail, has lots and lots of patterned fur, or I am looking for a more illustrative or even shiny effect.
Coloured pencil has a transluency that can produce magical effects on paper, and any portrait done in this medium often surprises people with its realism, detail or painterly look.
I use acid-free, archival papers and boards that will stand the test of time without disintegrating.
Contact me for a quote for your pet portrait or favourite wildlife picture. And remember to bless all animals.
- Donna Ryan
