How One Small Portrait Can Bring Comfort: The Story Behind My Kindness Portraits

When I first started drawing pets I didn't realise I was doing more than capturing fur texture or drawing eyes and ears on paper, but that I was capturing moments of love that people never wanted to forget.

Over the years my favorite portraits have often been the ones I've quietly given away, not because they were "free" but because they meant the most. Sometimes it was for a friend that had just lost their beloved dog or cat unexpectedly. Sometimes it was for a family member who had just spent all they could on vet bills, with nothing left for a keepsake. And other times it was for a stranger who had touched my heart with their story online, like a missing or stolen pet they were longing to find or an unexpected passing.

I message them, ask for a favorite photo and spend an evening putting all of my love into a drawing for them. Sometimes I am so touched that I will make it a full surprise to them and message them with a drawing already done too. A small act but the messages I get back remind me why I draw in the first place! " Omg she's beautiful you're beautiful , I love you so much , oh my more happy tears , Thank you so so much I will cherish it. I can't believe how blessed we are to have u all in our lives xxxx󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗󾬗" or "What a lovely kind thing to do. It looks fantastic I am sure they will treasure this drawing" and " Wow, wow and OMG WOW. See Sha...aint theze people bludy awesome. And im not only impressed with this artwork but quite overcome with emotions with the absolute heartfelt kindness people are showing you and Bon.

That is how Kindness Portraits were born, not as a marketing idea but as my way of honouring what art can do when we lead with compassion. It's now a part of my business that I want to share more openly, because YOU make it possible. When you commission a portrait or buy a print from me, you are also helping me gift memorial drawings to families who can't afford one right now. It's my way of passing on the love and kindness and saying thank you for supporting my dream.

How it works:

Every month I choose 1 Kindness Portrait to gift of my choice of size and medium. This might be from a story I see online that touches my heart or from a nomination from one of you, that knows of someone deserving of such a gesture. I wish I could draw for everyone, but I promise to always do what I can, when I can.

Want to nominate someone?

If you know someone who has lost a pet or loved one and would treasure a portrait they couldn't otherwise have, please reach out to me! Fill in my contact me form here and let me know. There is no catch, just a drawing, a little piece of comfort and a reminder that their pets/loved ones love is never forgotten.

Thank you for helping me spead kindness! Your support doesn't just keep my pencils moving, it keeps memories alive, tails wagging in our hearts and kindness at the heart of everything I do. So if you ever see one of my Kindness Portraits pop up, know that you helped make it possible. And thank you for letting me do what I love in the most meaningful way I know how to. One pet, one family, one memory at a time!