![The Dog Portrait Artist](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/6252/514469/5f63070957b62/The-Dog-Portrait-Artist.jpg)
Where do I begin? Do I start at primary school where, like so many children before and after me, I drew my favourite cartoon characters?
Do I start at aged 12, drawing my guinea pig (I wasn’t allowed to have a horse) who courageously sat through hours of being used as a life model?
Do I start in high school where I was taught to draw with the “right side of my brain” and was really impressed when my drawings actually looked like what it was supposed to?
Or do I start aged 38 when I decided to live in the moment like the animals that inspire me and become a full-time artist?
Let’s start in university… After finishing the HSC doing 3-unit Art, I was “steered” by my parents to stay away from working with the horses I was obsessed with and go into an artistic career path that didn’t involve poverty. So off I went to university to study Graphic Design majoring in Illustration. What a buzz! This is when I really discovered coloured pencils and was taught illustration by an Australian Geographic artist who would create Australian wildlife calendars each year.
As we all know, the real world is very different to the glamour of university and my first job was as a graphic artist, drawing car parts and designing parts catalogues in the motor industry. The next 10 years involved other desktop publishing and graphic art work, working for well-known companies such as MYOB and MLC.
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![Pelicans To Portraits](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/6038909398322/crp_Pelicans-to-Portraits.jpg)
Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes… and even a Scottish piper.
![“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/60388eb809af8/crp_I-Cannot-Imagine-Life-Without-Art.jpg)
“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”
Throughout her story you can feel the delight and joy that radiates from this artist as she describes her passion for art.
![The Noble Equine](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/6038961493dff/crp_The-Noble-Equine.jpg)
The Noble Equine
Coloured pastel papers have been used to create this beautiful horse.
![To Be at One With Nature](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/6038a965f1e2c/crp_To-Be-at-One-with-Nature.jpg)
To Be at One With Nature
“My art is who I truly am, and it has given me a freedom to become ‘just me’,” claims this talented lady.
![Making The Picture Sing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/6038a03937f2a/crp_Making-the-Picture-Sing.jpg)
Making The Picture Sing
Using her fine attention to detail, this artist creates a loving tribute to her subject.
![Thanks to Da Vinci](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/6038935708029/crp_Thanks-to-Da-Vinci.jpg)
Thanks to Da Vinci
Wicked classroom caricatures and tattoos fired up the passion for this self taught artist to strive to produce the perfect drawing.
![My Story](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/60389e340cb4c/crp_My-Story.jpg)
My Story
Sharing her passion for art has become a way of life for this determined and talented artist.
![Link to Life](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/6038a1e18fd28/crp_Link-to-Life.jpg)
Link to Life
This artist adores pastels … a medium which she believes can fall between painting and drawing. Her art is truly her link to life.
![Don't Rock the Boat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/60389bc0eeccb/crp_Dont-Rock-the-Boat.jpg)
Don't Rock the Boat
What comes first … the title or the painting? For this colourful artist, it can be either – and experimenting can lead to accidentally creating individual techniques.
![Art for Steven](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6252/595358/603899a54240e/crp_Art-for-Steven.jpg)
Art for Steven
Some years ago, this man was inspired to make the transition from cartooning to painting. He had always wanted to express himself in this way, and he dedicates every painting to his late brother Steven who inspired him.