Joanna Culley - Pet Portrait Artist Profile
Joanna with her dog Ted
The Early Start
I have always loved animals and art. From an early age I was lucky enough to have my own animals to look after. This started with a kitten, although at this early age my attempts to draw and paint her were not too impressive! My mother seeing how well I looked after Honeybunch eventually gave in to my desire to have my own pony, Sailor. This led onto eventually having my own dog, Dolly, when I was thirteen, and she was my first pet that I painted in full watercolour. Since she passed away, her picture is now a treasured part of my collection.
Starting at school and as I went through my education, I was fortunate to have some excellent teachers, which reinforced my love of art and continued my enthusiasm that I wanted to become an artist. I was taught the full range of artistic techniques and medium, but I always prefered going into the detail, and trying to produce art that captured both the detail and the personality of the subject. Therefore, portraits of my own animals were my natural choice. Honeybunch, Man of Kashmir, and Dolly became my willing subjects, although they didn't always sit as still as I would have liked!
My Professional Training
Now set on the course of having an artistic career, I first chose to study at Bournemouth and Poole College of art and design studying Natural History Illustration, where I gained a B.T.E.C in Illustration. I continued with a degree in Scientific and Medical Illustration at Middlesex University where I gained a BA (Hons). It was here I cemented the relationship between my art and my love of animals and wildlife. I took every opportunity to learn and use animals as subjects, although my tutors did make me use other subjects sometimes!
Joanna with a Lipizzaner Horse in Slovenia
During my degree I worked extensively studying human anatomy, and continued to learn a great deal. Studying human anatomy also increased my skills in observation, as it is essential to also understand the anatomy of animals too, if they are to be painted succesfully. Although the course focused on human anatomy, I did take the opportunity of being in London, to do portraits of more exotic animals. The primates at London Zoo were a particular favourite of mine, as their faces and expressions showed their similarity to humans and their great depth of personality. I think that their plight in the wild is dreadful and I would recommend to anyone to visit Monkey World in Wareham in Dorset, that undertakes excellent work in rescuing primates, and promoting their protection in the wild.
Further Pet Portrait Work
I continued undertaking pet portraits after friends and relatives saw the ones I had painted of my own animals. I was lucky that the work acted as my advertising, as people were happy to pass on my details to others. I am also a member of Romsey Art Group in Hampshire. Their exhibitions are always full of wonderful painting and it makes me feel very happy to be part of this group. I therefore am very pleased, when my animal pictures sell well. These exhibitions are held quarterly and always include many other high standard artworks. It is definitely worth a visit.
My Pet Portrait Website
This website is now my way of being able to offer my pet portraits to a wider audience, although my principles have not changed. I am not a production line of pet portraits. I am interested in producing only the very highest standard of work that is true to the character of animal. I want the owners of my art to be more than happy, I want the pet portrait I produce for them to be one of their most treasured possessions. I only produce a limited number of works in a month because I take my time, and I take care of you; I feel after all that this is a very personal thing, and pet's are very special in our lives. If you love your pets and you love beautiful art, then I very much hope you will contact me and we can be talking about how the picture of your special friend will look on your wall.
Joanna riding Man of Kashmir accompanied by Ted
I look forward to hearing from you,
