Leaning Toward Fall: Pet Portraits, Sunflowers, and Stories from the Studio
Hello friends and fellow pet lovers,
As I write this, I’m sitting in my oversized living room chair, looking out the window at my first sunflower of the season. This year, I tried an experiment and planted them in pots on the back deck. My youngest daughter told me it would never work, but I’m happy to say I’m proving her wrong. So far, the experiment is going well, and they look so beautiful out there. It’s something a bit different, and I love seeing that bright burst of color from inside the house.
There is always a part of me that feels a little sad when summer starts leaning toward fall. The crickets get louder at night, the cornfields are higher, and suddenly there are little signs everywhere that fall is not so far away. I used to tease our kids about going back to school and we would gauge it by how high the corn was. Now they tell me they have PTSD when they see a cornfield. I think they’re kidding? I certainly never meant to do that to them!
Paws at Home at the Champlain Valley Fair This August
This year, Paws at Home Mobile Vet asked if I would like to include a display for my pet portrait business at their booth at the Champlain Valley Fair in Vermont. I met them at the fair last year, and since then I have had the chance to get to know their amazing staff. Dr. Horn was also kind enough to write a blog about my pet portrait business, which you can read here. She was one of the instructors at the UVM Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula course that I studied this past March.
Why Their Work Matters to Me
Dr. Caroline Horn and her team will be at the fair to talk with visitors about their at-home veterinary practice, which specializes in palliative, hospice, and end-of-life care for chronically ill or geriatric dogs and cats.
She also provides at-home euthanasia, something I am considering for my two elderly toy poodles when that time comes (Rosie and Dani below). The ride to the vet, along with the noise and commotion of the clinic, makes them very anxious. They also know they are likely going to be poked and prodded, which makes the experience even harder.
A More Peaceful Option
Having an at-home option means they could remain in their own safe environment, surrounded by the people and pets who love them. It also gives our other pets a chance to understand what is happening, instead of simply wondering where they have gone. I have decided that I am not in favor of excluding my other pets from the process, and I feel strongly about denying them the chance to understand and say goodbye in their own way.
A Portrait I Can’t Share Quite Yet
In the studio, I have been working on a larger portrait project (16x20) that I can’t share quite yet because it is being given as a birthday gift. What I can say is that it features a very special dog in one of her favorite places: resting on her favorite plaid blanket.
Plaid, as it turns out, is no small thing. It made for a complex background and a challenge to capture it in a way that supported the portrait without overwhelming the dog herself. I softened the blanket slightly, so the dog’s face remained the heart of the portrait. It took patience, careful attention, and more than a few deep breaths, but it has been extremely rewarding in the end. I can’t wait to show you all!
Clarice Memorial Portrait - Soft Pastel 8×10 - 2026
Clarice Our Portrait of the Month
This is one portrait I can share with you: a beautiful chocolate Lab and part-German hunting dog named Clarice. She was a Southern rescue who came to Vermont and escaped several times before finally deciding that her newly adopted family was exactly where she belonged. Once she settled in, she went everywhere with them.
Clarice had a personality all her own. One of her favorite hobbies was hiding treats and toys deep within the couch cushions and out in the backyard. In fact, there is still a huge Tootsie Roll toy at large somewhere outside! Toward the end of her life, when the stairs became too much, her family would carry her up to the second floor at bedtime.
Clarice later passed away from cancer, but her spirit lives on in this portrait and in all the memories she left behind: the walks, the couch treasures, the watchful eye she kept on the yard, and all the bunnies and squirrels she kept at bay to keep her family safe.
What I loved most about painting Clarice was capturing the richness of her deep chocolate-brown fur and her beautiful white muzzle. Her orange collar was the perfect touch, bringing out the hints of rust and orange in her soulful eyes and the warm highlights in her coat. I finished the portrait with a blue-gray background, which pulled the colors together into a complementary trio and gave the piece a quiet, balanced feeling. This commemorative portrait is certainly one of my favorites that I have had the privilege to create.
Looking Ahead to Art Hop
I’m getting ready for the Burlington VT Art Hop 2026 on September 11, 12, and 13. My studio will be open to visitors, and I would love to welcome you in, show you where the work happens, and have a chance to visit in person!
I’ll have many of my original paintings for sale, along with prints and stickers. Gift certificates will be available for pet portraits, so if you know someone who would love a meaningful portrait of their dog, cat, horse, or other beloved animal, this will be a nice chance to plan ahead.
If you are out and about during Art Hop, I hope you’ll stop by the studio and say hello. I’d be happy to show you what I’ve been working on, share some older pieces, and help you find something special for yourself or for an animal lover in your life. Bring your dog! I have treats!
From My Perspective: The Special Nature of Pet Portraits
Pet portraits are more than a photograph. They are a special way to preserve the little details you never want to forget in a physical work of art: the tilt of an ear, the gray around a muzzle, the way your dog leans into your leg, or the quiet confidence of a cat who knows exactly where the best window light lands. August gives us a natural backdrop for those memories, from sunlit fields and leafy paths to relaxed at-home sessions on the porch or in the backyard.
Finn in a Loose Soft Pastel Style
1. The Light Is Warm, Soft, and Flattering
I create pet portraits from your favorite photos, and late-summer golden hour can be a beautiful time to capture those reference images. The soft, gentle light adds warmth, depth, and a relaxed seasonal feeling, especially outdoors where pets can move naturally and let their true personalities shine.
2. National Dog Month Makes It Timely
August is widely celebrated as National Dog Month, Specifically August 26th, making it an easy and heartfelt reason to order a pet portrait. It is also a meaningful time to recognize rescue dogs, senior pets, working dogs, and the everyday companions who make life better simply by being there.
3. It Fits Naturally Before Fall Gets Busy
Once back-to-school routines, fall events, and holiday planning begin, calendars fill quickly. Scheduling a pet portrait in August gives you a calm, joyful way to capture memories before the season changes.
4. Every Pet Has a Story Worth Preserving
Some pets are energetic and silly. Some are shy and gentle. Some have been part of the family for years, while others are newly adopted and just beginning their story with you. Either way, each pet brings something special to remember and celebrate. That is one of the things I love most about this work: every portrait has a story behind it. Sometimes it is in the expression, sometimes it is in a favorite toy or blanket, and sometimes it is in the little details that only the family will fully understand.
Ready to Book an August Pet Portrait Session?
If you have been meaning to schedule portraits of your pet, August is the perfect time. Availability is limited so reach out early to reserve your preferred date. Together, we can create a heartfelt piece of art that feels personal, joyful, and full of the love you share with your pet.
Wishing You a Happy, Healthy Month Ahead
I hope you have a happy and healthy month ahead, with plenty of time to spend with the people and pets you love. Stay safe, enjoy the rest of the summer, and soak up these last beautiful days before fall arrives!
