Melanie Singlehurst Pet Portraits

I grew up in Chichester, West Sussex, surrounded by the beautiful countryside, not far from the South Downs and a few miles from the sea. My sister and I used to love having horse-riding lessons and helping out at the stables. We were fortunate to have a variety of much loved pets as we grew up and I have always had a passion for animals, nature and drawing. I spent many happy hours drawing horses, dogs and various other animals, and at school would often be doodling them in my school books.

After leaving school I worked full time and didn't have much time for drawing and painting. Then, one day I found myself

wondering what to buy for a friend's birthday. She wasn't easy to buy for as appeared to have everything. Her cat had sadly

passed away but she always had photos of him around. I decided to get out my pencils and paints and I painted a portrait of

her lovely cat for her. She showed her friends the portrait and from this I was asked to draw and paint their animal family

members. Over the years I have also been commissioned to draw people portraits, as well as homes, other buildings, cars and motorbikes.

I decided to take early retirement so i could concentrate fully on creating pet portraits and being a full time artist, and I am loving every minute. I speak with so many lovely people and sometimes get to meet their gorgeous pet friends too. I am very fortunate to share my life with three wonderful dogs whom I love to wander in the countryside with. We are sometimes joined by my grown up daughter for our adventures- she also enjoys drawing and painting! After a good walk our dogs love to snuggle up in my studio while I work.