I met Darla's owner a few years ago when I was visiting her restaurant.  She is a great chef!  We struck up a friendship and also an art consignment deal.  I exhibited my paintings in her restaurant.  A few years later when her beloved dog Darla passed she asks me to do a portrait of her.  Darla is 11 x 14 oil on canvas.

I met Elle at a friend's Christmas party a few years ago.  She was very friendly and sweet.  When she passed my friend ask me to do a portrait of her for Elle's father's office.  I was happy to do it.  Elle's portrait is 11 x 14 oil on canvas.

A Cat named Goat .......pet portrait 11 x 14 oil

I received a call from a potential client who found me on a web search for pet portrait artist.  She explained she has a friend who loves her cat so much that she would like to have a portrait of it to give to her friend as a special birthday gift. She had a deadline of 2 weeks.....whew, ok no problem for me usually.  As I've said before I'm a fast painter so I went for it.

She let me do my thing with the design, but the cat portrait is based on a photo of her friend holding Goat.  (By the way I found out that Goat means greatest of all time.)  This cat must have some attitude.  ok - I better paint a hell of a painting for a cat with a name that means "greatest of all time"!  As you can see I had a little fun with the design!

GOAT the cat is 11 x 14

Sally's sister Daisy - pet portraits by mike brouse

I painted Daisy's sister Sally, a terrier, about 7 years ago.  You can read Sally's story on this blog.  Daisy's mother contacted me again to paint her new dog Daisy when Daisy turned 5 years old.  Daisy is a beautiful purebred white labrador retriever.  I got to meet Daisy prior to painting her.  I try to do this if the client is local to the Boulder, Colorado area.  What a wonderful warm personality.  A real sweetheart!  I soaked her in and took some playful reference photos of her.

The portrait was a surprise father's day gift from Daisy's mother.  I try to make these paintings affordable for most people because they make such great gifts.   The 11 x 14 of Daisy was $350 oil on canvas.  Daisy's mother chose the background because it represents her back yard.  Daisy spends a lot of time back there.

Daisy is 11 x 14 oil on canvas

Chicken is Little (11 x 14 oil) sensitive dog portrait by Mike Brouse

I have been doing pet portraits continuously for about 14 years now.  I work from good reference photos of the pet.  I have done pet portraits in small and large sizes and for people all over the USA.  Kevin called me last week from Denver.  He wanted to inquire about 2 portraits of his sisters dogs for her birthday. My first thought was "very sweet"!  What a guy who loves his sister!  Then I asked when his sister's birthday is and he told me it's in 10 days.  Two oil portraits in 10 days..... and he wants them framed too.

Luckily I was between commission projects so I said I would try to make it happen.  I am a fast painter so I can usually finish a portrait in 6-8 man-hours, but it's pretty intense work.

So Chicken was first up.  Here he is as an 11 x 14 oil on canvas  - I charge between $350 - $475 for an 11 x 14 depending on how quickly the client wants the painting, and also if they want it framed or not.

Chicken the dog is 11 x 14 oil on canvas

Sally - On her Watch, WestHighland Terrier - Dog Portrait Commission

12 X 16 - Oil on Canvas - SOLD

I rang the bell.  Sally met me at the door and she was immediately very friendly.  I was there to meet her and take photos of her in her backyard for an oil portrait.  We went out in the yard and I discovered that Sally liked to stand on a tall rock and overlook her territory.  She has a magnificent view towards the west overlooking a field, several back yards, and Long's Peak.  My goal was to get her to pose for me up on that rock. I played with her for a few minutes and gave her some treats.  Then I got the camera out and began taking pictures.  I was surprised that she was a little camera shy.  For every 25 shots I took only about two were useable as reference.  She was always on the move, and she is very short so I found myself laying down on the ground a lot.  After about 30 minutes outside with her I had the shots I needed. 

I sent several possible photos to Sally's owner for approval.  After I had a clear direction I produced the above oil painting.  Sally wore a great collar that day and it really helped the portrait to pop.  I put all the paint and important strokes up around her face.  I want the viewers eye to always end up on that great face.  Thanks for the great time Sally!

All the best,

Mb

Griffey

Griffey passed away after many years as the loyal family dog. Griffey was loved by his parents and two young boys who were, of course, heartbroken when he passed. Griffey is now a work of art who should last a very long time. 12" square oil on panel - SOLD

Commissioning a Painting from Mike Brouse

A fun and challenging part of my fine art business is working with clients to produce a commissioned painting. Usually it is an oil painting or watercolor of special places and subjects including cabins, people, or pets including dogs, cats and horses. I can do a photo shoot if you are local to the Boulder, Denver area, or I can work from your photographs too. I have produced paintings for clients from all over the country.

We usually begin the process by discussing your project, the size of the painting, and what kind of medium you are interested in. Then I will proceed along those lines after receiving a 1/2 down payment. I guarantee your satisfaction so no project is paid for or completed until you are happy. It is my goal to provide you with a painting for your home, or a gift for a loved one, that you can be very proud of.

My prices are reasonable, ranging from $300 for a smaller pet portrait to over $2000 for larger oil work on canvas. I am very easy to work with, and I remain in touch with all of my clients. I have many satisfied references.

If you would like to discuss a project please contact Mike Brouse Fine Art in Boulder, Colorado at 303-444-2461 or visit my website for additional information.