Rendered in charcoal heightened with white chalk, this Portrait captures a fond memory of Happy Cat and Jumper. This was a day when the winter snow drifted so high that the birds couldn’t land. Despite their size, these two large cats shared a single stool to watch their favorite 'bird T.V.'—it is a timeless reminder of the quiet, soulful moments that shape our lives.

Do you have a favorite photograph that captures the true spirit of your companion? I’d love to see it!

Commission a Pet Portrait →

Capturing the True Spirit of Your Companions!

A Lifelong Dedication to Fine Art

I have been drawing and painting since I was very young, and since officially establishing my studio in 1992, I have brought over 34 years of professional commission experience to my easel. My life's work has been dedicated to hand-rendering fine art portraits that capture the true, lifelike spirit of dogs, cats, horses, children, and family homes.

In a rapidly changing digital world, there is one media that we already know has stood the test of time! Hand drawn or painted portraits have been revered for hundreds of years for good reasons! They last. They’re recognized. They’re treasured.

Our modern digital media is still in its infancy. It’s truly very fragile and fleeting. We all know that one click can cause you incredible frustration. And, because we have files “saved” are we really looking at and enjoying them?

In contrast a drawing or painting can last hundreds of years with thoughtful care. Traditional fine art honors your family legacy with a level of emotional sensitivity, and visual depth that flat photography and AI filters can’t compete with . Sure, AI filters are flashy for a hot moment, but the longer you look, the less sustaining they are because they disorientate our visual reality in a way that isn’t natural.

Whether you are looking to salvage a faded heirloom family photo, commission a tribute of a beloved companion pet, or book a live event painting for a milestone occasion, your journey is met with an authentic dedication to the timeless lineage of fine art.

You are warmly invited to connect with me for all of your portraiture needs, or to discover the joy of private art instruction or group lessons. Whatever your goals, your creative journey is met with the experience that only a lifetime of dedication to the arts can provide.

Thank you for being here with me!

Painting from life in the gardens of the Glebe House Museum during their Wine, Cheese & Art Please event 2026.

Demonstrating pet portraiture of Frost and Bootsie at the Bethlehem Library. These two kitties were very bonded and were perfect for sketching!

ShawnaLee, circa 1976, painting daily surrounded by a community of artists - including mentors from the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. Photo credit: Helen E. Waterbury with kind permission to use.

ShawnaLee working on an oil painting of Berri at a Night of Caring Event for Hidden Acres Therapeutic Riding Center 2023. Photo credit: Viktoria Stockmal with kind permission to use.

Testimonials

  • "Good morning, I just wanted to thank you again for… Charlie’s painting! We absolutely love it ❤️it’s hanging right next to Joe’s and it looks great !! If you ever need a reference please don’t hesitate to reach out I’d be happy to tell anyone what a wonderful artist you are !!"

  • "Thank you so much for doing this for us! Seeing your work multiple times on Facebook before and knowing I could trust you made it so much easier. I was afraid of using anyone else. The girls were blown away when I showed them ☺️. I am going to try and get a video of her opening it if I'm not balling my eyes out 💗" ….. "Hey. It went great! We definitely caught her off guard. She absolutely loved it and when she opened it she said "that's definitely Sasha" 💗🐾" Lindsay Burr 2022"

  • "Hi Shawna, I wanted to thank for the amazing painting you did of Willy! You captured him perfectly. We will be displaying prominently in the upstairs hall right outside our bedroom 🙂. Thanks again and happy holidays! “ Christian Yantorno 2024"

Ask the Artist!

The first step of your journey begins here!

Have you always wanted a portrait of your family pet, or perhaps have a faded family photograph that carries a lot of meaning and you wonder if a painting can be made of it? Or perhaps you love to draw and paint and are stuck and need support to get past artistic hurdles.

Please let the artist know what you have in mind - whether it’s a question about commissioning a portrait, or inquiring about Art Instruction, we look forward to hearing from you!

We’ll be in touch shortly!

ShawnaLee