Everyone knows that people with pets really love them. They’re our fur babies, family members and best friends.
It’s not surprising, then, that Sudbury artist Sue Lampinen has a booming trade in her pet portrait business.
The owner of Lampinen Fine Art and Custom Framing on Regent Street has been doing pet portraits for many years, but started doing more of this work during the pandemic. She had more time on her hands, as there weren’t any art shows to attend.
Lampinen has of course done many portraits of cats and dogs, but she’s also done horses, birds, turtles, and, most recently, a beloved pet hamster.
“The hamster, that was so cute, and it was one of my favourites,” she said.
Many people commission a pet portrait as a meaningful gift, or to memorialize an animal friend who has passed away.
“Oh, people love them,” Lampinen said. “Some people are so moved, and they cry. I've got portraits of my own pets that artist friends have done as gifts, and it's just a nice remembrance when they’re gone.”
To do a pet portrait, Lampinen needs a couple of photos of the pet. She can do them in either black and white (charcoal or graphite) or in colour (pastels). They cost around $300 each, and come framed.
“Some people have all of their pets done - the whole history of all their pets all on one wall,” she said.
Lampinen said she’s actually mainly a plein air landscape artist, but her pet portrait work is unsurprising, as she’s an animal lover who’s had many dogs, cats and other fur babies over the years, and she also volunteers with local animal rescue groups.
When she’s working with the SPCA and Pet Save, she keeps her camera handy to catch cute animal moments, and sometimes she does portraits of rescue pets.
“I will paint anything,” Lampinen said. “It's not about what you're painting. It's just about light and colour and value in shapes and composition, you know, but the pet portraits I find so much fun.”
If you’re interested in commissioning a pet portrait, contact Lampinen at 705-522-8068 or through her business’ Facebook page.
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene. Pets & Animals is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
