Pet Portraits in Oils by Puci

Pet with Person (completed painting commissions):

Triple Portraits (completed painting commissions):

Larger Size Portraits--all styles (completed painting commissions):

The Gang 16x20", $345	Jax 10x12", $140	S & S, 8x16", $170

Sakiva, 16x12", $175 Violet Isabella & Wylie, 16x20", $255		Chloe, 20x16", $210 Tully 16x12", $175

Seamus & Lisa, 16x20", $245	Dan, Chauncy & Jones. 16x20", $426 ($355 + extras) Archie and Buzz 12x16", $210

Gizzy and Beazy, 10x12", $170	Lilly, Lulu & Maggie, 18x24", $525 ($375 + extras) Seamus, 10x12", $140

The Scoop (the long/LA and short/SA of it):
Q How do I get my photos to you?
SA However
LA Several ways:
     1. via email: you may send your digital photo(s) to my email address: puci@puciart.com
     2. via snail mail: you may send originals or a color copy of your photo(s) to my postal address
     3. via internet: I can take a screenshot of your photo(s) from the internet if you have it posted somewhere with good resolution at a large size.
     * (A good photo will be a large file size, have good contrast of the pet, will be sharp, and will ideally be at close range. See visual examples below.)

Q How long does it take?
SA 2-3 weeks
LA Say I receive your photo on a Monday; I work out the basic composition by the following Monday. With your OK, I paint the portrait during the second week. While the oil paints
are drying, you provide payment if your portrait is to be shipped (locals may pay me at pick up) and I mail the painting by the end of the third week.

Q May I order a size larger than 8x8" or more than one pet in the same painting?
SA Absolutely and... the more the merrier
LA Here are some sample size/price options: (but puci can paint any size with as many pets --and people-- as you like)
    8x8" ($85 one pet)
     8x10" ($105 one pet, $125 two pets, $145 three pets) > or $20 per each extra pet (3 pets max for this size)
     10x12" ($140 one pet, $170 two pets, $200 three pets) > or $30 per each extra pet (ie:5 pets = $260)
    12x16" ($175 one pet, $210 two pets, $245 three pets) > or $35 per each extra pet (ie:5 pets = $315)
    16x20" ($210 one pet, $255 two pets, $300 three pets) > or $45 per each extra pet (ie:5 pets = $390)
    18x24" ($275 one pet, $325 two pets, $375 three pets) > or $50 per each extra pet (ie:5 pets = $525)
    Pet with Person         (8x8"=$125, 8x10"=$145, 10x12"=$210, 12x16"=$245, 16x20"=$310)
    Two Pets with Person (8x8"=$170, 8x10"=$190, 10x12"=$255, 12x16"=$290, 16x20"=$355)

Q Your prices seem very low; why?
SA everybody wins
LA A painting can take lots of time when I rework the composition after I've already begun putting paint to canvas. When I create the pre painting composition using digital photos
     and the magic of Photoshop, I get everything just right, and then print this out on special paper that becomes part of the weave of the prepared cotton or linen I paint on. This
     method allows me to paint more freely, focusing on color, tone, brushwork and the essence of my subject matter rather than fussing with the details of composition.

Q Should I expect any extra charges?
SA Maybe; just ask puci to be sure
LA puci is happy to accomodate requests for a simple background and/or "prop" (such as a beloved toy) at no extra charge when customer photos are provided.
    However, some situations will incur an additional 20%, such as:
    -- requests for a specific and/or significant background when proper customer photos are not provided
    -- the need for puci to fill-in incomplete customer photos (such as missing body parts)
    -- fix poor resolution by incorporating puci's own reference photos

Q How much will shipping cost?
SA Usually about $11.00 to $14.00
LA The 8x8" packaged painting will cost $12.00 to send USPS Priority Mail within the U.S.
     The 18x24" packaged painting will cost $27.00 to send USPS Priority Mail within the U.S.
     International packages will be sent eithe USPS First Class Mail or USPS Priority International
     (Locals may pick up the painting in person and eliminate all these fees)

Q How do I pay you?
SA Hopefully with a smile
LA PayPal, personal check, money order and cash accepted; Thanks.

Q I'd like my painting to last a long time.
SA I'm on that
LA Your finished oil portrait will be painted on prepared cotton fabric or linen (stretched) on a wooden board and stapled to the back of the board.
I use a varnish-type medium before the painting process begins and again after the painting is finished (as a protective coating as well as to provide an even sheen on the dried oil
paints.) Oil paints are rich in color and resilient to time and to the elements.

Q Can I frame the painting myself?
SA Sure
LA The painting will be ready to hang as is (with the sides painted) or you may frame it just as a painting on stretcher bars is frame


sample of back of painting (without backing)	sample of side of painting	sample back of painting ( with backing)

Q I can't get a good photo of Rex. What should I do?
SA Bribery might help
LA If all else fails, just send me what you've got and we'll go from there. Following are some samples of good photos:

from Photo(s) to Pre-Painting-Composition to Finished-Oil-Painting A SUCCESSFUL PET PORTRAIT OFTEN RELIES UPON GOOD PHOTOS w/good resolution**

puci GIFT CERTIFICATES (here's what they look like)
Show your love with a gift of a pet portrait
1. Let me know the size of the painting you'd prefer
3. You pay price of painting (plus cost of USPS shipping in the U.S. ~no handling fee applies to gift certificates)
4. You receive the gift certificate in the mail or print it out yourself on your own computer

puci Customer Feedback
	"We LOVE it!!!! Thank you so much!!" ~Joe & Christine Bramuchi (Ruby's portrait)
	"We were so excited and happy to get it! I sat right down and wrote a long note to you with tears all over it!... I feel you can almost see her little soul in her eyes". ~Diane Solomon (portrait of Olivia)
	"The painting you did of Codi is absolutely gorgeous in person!! In fact, I may have to keep it for myself and get another done for mom." ~Julie Jackson (portrait of Codi)
	"It's gorgeous! Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much our clients are going to love this." ~Christie Shepard (Quincy's portrait)
"My family, as predicted, absolutely lost their minds over your paintings. My mom actually cried, LOL. Oh, moms ;)" ~Leanna Trunzo (portraits of Caesar, Chester, Chloe, Lenny and Louie)
	"We just received the Zue painting! ... We are blessed to have your work on our wall!" ~Kerry Andrews (portrait of Zue Zue)
	"Darlene!!!! I just received Dante's portrait .. and I was in tears!! The eyes say it all.. you captured Dante's eyes so beautifully .... I just keep looking at them in the painting then back to Dante in real life! Really wonderful ... and I cannot thank you enough. You truly are a gifted artist!" ~Tiffany Wilson (Dante's portrait)
"Hi Darlene, I just opened my package and I can't tell you how much I love them!!!!!!! I am so impressed, you are so very talented. Both my kids are going to love their paintings..." ~Lee Parham (portraits of Brutus, Emma & Maggie and Fredi)

"perfect this is perfect thanks so much."
"You have an artistic touch that brings the pets alive"
"HI.... What a wonderful service you offer."
"...Do you capture personality, or what???? Every painting - personality PLUS."
"Just wanted to thank you again for the lovely portrait...(he) will love it this Christmas."
"... you transcend to a level that actually seems to capture the soul and essence of the animal."
"You are a delight to work with and I appreciate your prompt response to my emails".
"You do truly beautiful work, and I will recommend you to all my family and friends... Once again I can't thank you enough."
"I LOOOOOVE IT!"
"It arrrived today and all I can really say is WOW, the work you did is just absolutely amazing. I'm floored..."
"The painting arrived yesterday. It is awesome! ...it made him cry! He loves it."
"Again, I am really impressed with your work. I will highly recommend you to anyone who will listen.Thank you SO much."
"... It really captured his look and his spirit. Thank you so much, we really love it."
"thanks you soooo much my sweet man will love it!"
"we just got it. I absolutely love it."
"That is awesome!!! Thank you so much!!"
"You came highly recommended..."
"It is going to be a great mother's day present my mom will cherish forever!"

Links:
Nepal Street Animal Rescue (yes: Nepal, the country)
Horse Harbor Foundation (Sancturary)
Dog Cast Radio
Iron Mutt Coffee
Service Dogs for Victims of Assault
Humane Society of Oregon
Nanny 911 For Dogs training and behavior modification
Homemade toys for your Feathered Friends
tips on taking good photos of your pets
tips on taking photos of camera-shy pets
Ecologically aware pet products
Kristi Lloyd Photography photographs pets too
The Pet Boutique
Dogsters, for the love of dog blog
The Cat's Meow blog

http://threebluepenguins.blogspot.com/2007/09/GIFT.html
http://threebluepenguins.blogspot.com/2007/11/KITTER'S PORTRAIT.html
http://cleansince1988.blogspot.com/search?q=puci
http://brindleboy2009.blogspot.com/

puci's main website
puci's Etsy store
puci's Facebook Page
puci's interview by Catster's Karen Nicoles 7-6-09

images and content © Darlene Pucillo 2010
(aka: puci)