Pencil Pawtraits

I’ve recently set up a makeshift studio where I first started ; back in the house where it’s a little more cramped, but it’s all for good reason.

My beautiful boy Bernard turned 16 in January. He’s been by my side for all of my self-employed years. He’s the reason I sought out self-employment in the first place, 16 years ago. I wanted to do what I loved, with a dog by my side. The last year has been hard on him (and us) as he has been progressively losing both his hearing and vision, as well as the devastating diagnosis of mitral valve disease which means he’s in manageable heart failure. He’s had a liver condition for years too which has been in the background.

We see glimpses of doggy dementia; we have 2am wakeups because of bladders that need emptying. Adjustments of work days and staying home more because he’s feeling a bit fragile and fretful. But we wouldn’t trade any of it. Because it means more time with Bernard.

And I’ll keep doing whatever it takes to keep him by my side, happy and thriving under whatever life throws at us next. Because that’s love. 🐾🥰

Last year was a whirlwind for me outside of Pencil Pawtraits, so I still have a lot of work to share from working with my beautiful clients. Kippa is no exception. I don’t get many gorgeous dogs with ears this prominent and it really is refreshing to draw a character face with different features occasionally. 🐾😍

Hello 2026 👋🏻
Last year was a mixed one. Tumultuous and uncertain, changes and readjustments, new normals and finding new routines.
With all of that life stuff happening, I still managed to make some amazing clients happy with artwork.
I’m yet to jump back in to a regular work schedule; that will happen very soon. But I am taking commission bookings from February onwards.
Here’s to a new year of memorialising your beautiful companions on paper! 🐾🖤