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Can I have my memorial pet portrait fully customised?

In a word: absolutely! Let’s go through some of the elements that make it customisable, and some of the things that may be on your mind first…


How is a rainbow bridge tribute portrait made?


 I place as much focus on your dog’s personality, as I do how they look, so I send you a form to fill in to help me to get to know their character as fully as possible (or we can have an informal chat instead if that works better for you). I also ask for several photographs of your dog. Once I’ve received everything I need, I go away and come up with a scene that I feel really highlights their character into a beautiful keepsake that keeps their memory alive in a lasting tribute to them. Every portrait is fully hand drawn by me, with no AI involved.

multiple dogs in a split scene rainbow bridge cartoon dog portrait
A very happy beach scene full of dogs past and present, with their memories celebrating happy lives

I want a memorial portrait of my dog but am too upset to commission one. What should I do?


 When you book a rainbow bridge tribute portrait, my process is a little different from other services that I offer. I’m very aware that sometimes people are coming to me very fresh in their grief. For others, it may be years since your dog has passed but still feels incredibly raw. Everyone’s experience of grief is different, but having really struggled myself at having to say goodbye to my spaniel Jasper, I have ensured that the process is as flexible as possible for everyone at different stages of their grief.

Instead of filling in the personality forms, we can have a chat by email or phone, and take things at your own pace. Unfortunately it’s impossible for me to create a cartoon memorial portrait without any input at all from you, as this service is very focused around their personality. However, I am very open to taking it at whatever pace feels right to you, and in whatever way makes it more comfortable for you. For any of my services, I welcome you to get in touch for a chat to discuss whether I would be the right fit for what you’re looking for, with no obligation to you to book.

A happy boston terrier racing in his speed boat over rainbow bridge
Extra elements can be included depending on what is special to the dog's character. Even a speedboat can be included!

What is included in a rainbow bridge portrait?


 The main elements of my cartoon rainbow bridge portraits are your dog, with a serene background of clouds and a sparkling rainbow. If you'd prefer to have your portrait in a non-rainbow bridge scene, you can opt for the cartoon dog portrait service instead. From the answers that you give me to the questions in the form, I will add extra items that I feel are appropriate to celebrating your dog’s character. If there is anything in particular that you would like included in the portrait along with your dog, that you associate strongly with them, I welcome that to be included, so please just let me know.

I can include any extras at all for no extra charge (within reason.. obviously if you associate a particular city with your dog and would like it to be included in it’s entirety, I may have to charge a little extra!)

  • Can I have angel wings on my rainbow bridge dog portrait? – Absolutely. Many people opt for angel wings to be illustrated on their dogs, and sometimes a halo too. Equally though, some people opt to have the illustration without those elements, and just as they remember them.

  • Can I have their favourite toy included in the portrait?- Your dog’s favourite toy  is a specific question within the personality form. So many dogs often become attached to a particular toy, ball or item, that it just wouldn’t feel right to have them illustrated without it!

A split scene with 5 dogs who have passed over, and one who is still living.
With a split scene, where there are both living dogs and dogs who have passed over rainbow bridge, wings and halos can be helpful to illustrate clearly.

How does a portrait honour my dog who passed away?

Our dogs aren’t just animals, they’re our best friends, constant companions, and they know secrets about us that we would never share in a million years with a mere human! They look at us with adoration even when we know we’re looking at our worst.


When that dreaded time comes where we have to say goodbye to them, it feels like there is no way to honour them that feels enough. That’s why I have put so much time, effort and love, into developing and tweaking the perfect tribute portrait service. I wanted to develop something that doesn’t just show what they looked like: we all have millions of photos that already do that perfectly. I wanted something that encompasses those traits about them that made them special, and capture the little moments as well as bigger ones that we shared together.


 My biggest fear at losing my dog Jasper was that in time, I would forget those little glimmers, the micro moments of joy that he gave me. It’s why I started a glimmer jar for my current dog Sadie, and why the glimmer jar has such a strong connection to my cartoon pet portraits. The memorial dog portraits are a celebration of the glimmers that our dogs give us throughout their lives, and are the perfect way to honour their memory by keeping as many of their special moments and traits, treasured forever.

 

A vibrant and beautiful cartoon dog memorial portrait
A celebration of a very special dog's life. Moxy with all of her favourite things, plus a nod to some family "in" jokes.

How can I book a memorial pet portrait?


Please contact me for a no-obligation chat, or to request to book. I will then help guide you through the process, at a pace that feels comfortable for you. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out and ask.




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