My Muse Has Four Legs: Behind the Scenes with a Pet Portrait Artist

Our four-legged canine friends have been muses and best friends for artists since ancient times.   In turn, artists have shown their respect and admiration for their canine companions through carvings made from stone or wood, pottery, sculpture, drawings, paintings, photography, and mosaics. Many modern artists have often kept a dog with them in their studios for company and included dog companions in commissioned pieces or self-portraits.  David Hockney used his own dogs in his dachshund series, and both Andy Warhol and Keith Haring used colorful dog images in their work.  

In my own paintings, I like to capture the healing power of the human-animal bond, as well as the pets’ individual antics. And, of course, my own dogs are frequently muses or subjects in my artwork.

Kira at Corona Heights by Dr. Ken Gorczyca

My Kira at Corona Heights Park

When someone asks me to paint a portrait of their dog (or cat), I start by asking for several favorite photographs, including a few headshots, one that clearly shows the eyes, and a picture of the animal with their human(s) in their garden or neighborhood environment. I also ask for a short summary of the dog’s life story, some of their favorite antics, how they got their name, and the purpose of the painting. I want to better understand the dog and the special relationship they have with their human before I start my sketches.  I paint with acrylics and sometimes create a 3D effect using a thick medium and quick brush strokes.

My most recent commission was for my friend Brenda, who wanted a painting of her dog, Sophia, as a gift for her husband’s birthday. She sent me a dozen photographs to choose from, along with Sophia’s beautiful adoption story.

Sophia was rescued by Golden Bond Rescue (GBR) and their partner rescues in China (GBR’s  mission is to save Golden Retrievers from Chinese meat markets and kill shelters). Sophia had been used as a breeding bitch and had spent her entire life in a cage taking care of litter after litter of puppies. When she was seven years old and no longer able to produce puppies, she was taken to a kill shelter. GBR was able to rescue her and bring her back to the U.S. for adoption. 

Brenda had been a Golden Retriever volunteer since 1996 and had raised many Goldens. After moving to Portland, Oregon, she became a volunteer for Golden Bond Rescue. But when the pandemic hit in 2020 and GBR rescues were put on hold, she and her husband John decided to become foster volunteers. Soon after, Sophia (aka GBR #3084) became available for long-term fostering, and Brenda and John took her into their home.

Since John had never had a dog before, Brenda was apprehensive about how he would deal with a fun-loving, spirited Golden Retriever. But it couldn’t have gone any better. John quickly fell for Sophia, soon calling her “my doggie” and talking to her like she was his best buddy. Meanwhile, Sophia grew accustomed to the loving family she was now a part of.  Within a month, John asked Brenda if there was any way they could keep her permanently.

So Brenda made the call to GBR. When the Director of Foster Care answered the phone, the first thing she said was, “So, you want to adopt this beautiful girl?” She knew that Sophia had stolen John and Brenda’s hearts. They officially adopted her in June 2020 in what GBR happily called  “a failed foster.”

Sophia changed Brenda and John’s lives during the height of the COVID lockdowns. She got them out of the house, and they started hiking more, taking her on long walks and rides to the coast. She brought joy during a difficult time, something they’ll be forever thankful for.

After learning about Sophia’s life story, and having some phone chats with Brenda, I decided to paint a portrait of Sophia and John from one of the photos she had shared. Sophia was John’s first dog, and I wanted to capture the power of his first puppy love. I centered the painting around Sophia and included a glimpse of John. He is smiling while playfully offering a bachelor button flower to Sophia. Sophia is intently focused on John while gently reaching over his lap to sniff the flower.  To me, the portrait captures their story and their love.

Sophia and John by Dr. Ken Gorczyca

Sophia and John

Another of my favorite commissions was for my good friend David who lives in Seattle. I had supported David during his health issues with multiple cancers and then through the sad loss of his beloved Norwegian Elkhound, Verdie. David, now 75, had been involved with this breed since he was five years old, and Verdie epitomized the most wonderful characteristics of a dog companion, with a deep empathy for human emotion. Verdie’s profound protective and healing nature provided immeasurable support for David throughout his recovery from numerous surgeries and chemotherapies. He believes that Verdie helped save his life.

As usual, I asked for a photo of Verdie but then surprised David with a series of nine portraits of his beloved canine. In this series, I painted Verdie using multiple styles and bright colors, reflecting Verdie’s loving spirit in each one. David told me that these paintings helped him through the grief process of losing his best friend and favorite Norwegian Elkhound. He loves being surrounded by these portraits every day when he walks into his kitchen.

Verdie series by Dr. Ken Gorczyca

Verdie series

Whenever I paint animal companions, I’m able to use my veterinary knowledge of animal anatomy, which is a great foundation for any portrait. I also try to understand each animal’s unique behaviors, personality, and antics. Sometimes I already have a personal relationship with my canine muse, as with David’s Verdie, though I often don’t.

But even if I didn’t know the animal before, I learn to know them intimately through my process as an artist. As the painting progresses, I spend a lot of time studying photos of the animal and thinking about their life story. My own dog companion, Kira, is usually by my side as I work. 

By the time the portrait is finished, I feel I know the animal well. By painting their spirit, I’ve become part of their story, too.