Our Story – Pet Portrait Artists Since 1996

The Beginning (1990s)

Our story begins in the early 1990s when both Nicholas and I were training at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design. We both studied Natural History Illustration. Surrounded by easels, sketchbooks, huge potted plants in the art room, hundreds of art books and an array of practicing artists and tutors. We began developing the techniques that would shape our careers.

We left the comfort of art college and took a couple of years out to move to Wales and get settled. In 1996 with a mix of excitement and not a small amount of nerves, we officially launched our Melanie and Nicholas pet portrait business.

Our Early Business (1996–2000)

We officially launched our pet portrait business in 1996, just as the Internet was beginning to make it's way into people’s homes. Back then, websites were a novelty, not a necessity! So we advertised in dog magazines, designed our own brochures using a word processor and relied on good old post and phone calls to reach our clients.

We also threw ourselves into local opportunities. We exhibited our artwork at the Welsh Game Fair and spent time teaching both art and computing back when mastering the mouse and floppy disks felt revolutionary! It was a period of growth, learning and a whole lot of perseverance, but it laid the groundwork for everything that came next. We were lucky enough to be asked for interviews for a variety of magazines and articles back then.

For instance the Continental Kennel Club Magazine, A Japanese dog Magazine, South China Morning Post in Hong Kong and both Nicholas and I did illustrations for Seven Seas Vitapet coat conditioner. We would go into local pet shops and see our illustrations on the packaging. I also wrote and illustrated a fairy book in watercolour.

Building Our Dream (2000–2010)

As the years passed, our little business began to flourish. We moved into our first home together and utilised a spare bedroom as a dedicated studio space. It gave us the space to expand and we built a reputation for creating realistic pet portraits that truly captured personality and presence. At this point in the 2000's the Internet had truly integrated into peoples lives. We were selling to the US market constantly through our website and were extremely busy! These were all of Nicholas's oil paintings he had on the go at once, back in the day.

Refining Our Craft (2010–2020)

We built our now much loved garden art studio space in 2014 and haven't looked back. This decade brought some lovely surprises including commissions from high profile clients, which you can read about on our Pet Portraits Notable Clients Page

We continued to evolve technically, our painting and drawing styles became more refined. With hundred of portraits under our belts, this decade was all about consistency and refinement. We honed our techniques, updated our materials and expanded our online presence. More and more of our clients were finding us from around the world — the United States, Australia, Canada and beyond.

We take pride in still doing everything by hand. No shortcuts, no gimmicks — just beautiful, traditionally made pet portraits in pencil and oil.

The Modern Era (2020–Present)

While the world around us has changed drastically, our core values haven’t. We still work from our peaceful studio, nestled in the Welsh countryside, creating pet portraits in oils and pencil for clients who love their pets dearly.

Our website has become a hub for both clients and fellow artists. With regular updates to our Studio Journal, we share the stories behind the portraits, studio insights and even glimpses into our creative process. We even have a client portal which is a private area just for clients to watch the progress of their portraits, ask questions and be part of the process. They can even share with friends and family. Time has allowed us not only to hone our skills but to take advantage of the modern technology around us and combine this with our truly traditional hand drawn and painted artwork.

Evolving as Artists – But Never Losing Touch

We are often asked how our work has changed over the years. The answer? It’s become more refined, more instinctive but no less personal.

We still draw and paint every pet ourselves, just as we always have. We still send handwritten thank-you notes. Both Nicholas and myself still feel honoured every time someone chooses us to create a tribute to their beloved animal.

Looking Back with Gratitude – and Forward with Purpose

As we reflect on the last three decades, we feel incredibly grateful. What began as a shared dream, has grown into a fulfilling life’s work. Creating pet portraits that honour the animals people love most. We have met amazing clients, made lifelong friendships and filled hundreds of homes with artwork that will last for generations.

But while the world has changed dramatically since those early days, our commitment hasn’t wavered. Life looks different in 2025 yet we remain as passionate and determined as ever.

No matter where the road leads next, our principle will always remain the same. Creating personal, beautifully hand crafted portraits with integrity and utmost care.

Thank you to all of our cleints for being part of our journey and for letting us be part of yours.