Oil portrait of Tia, a fluffy grey cat with bright green eyes, gracefully posed. — Tia the Cat

The Story Behind Tia’s Portrait

Barrie contacted us in 2018 to ask if we could create an oil painting of his daughter’s cat, Tia, who was sadly very unwell. One of the photos he took became the main reference for the portrait. Tia had stitches under her jaw and her mouth was slightly open due to her illness. Barrie kindly asked if Nicholas could paint her with her mouth closed and her fur slightly fuller to restore her appearance.

We were honoured to help and created the painting at 18 x 14 inches. Once completed, Barrie and Barbara visited our studio in person to collect the painting. We later learned just how much the portrait meant to their daughter Claire, who missed Tia deeply. What followed was a truly moving moment when she discovered the painting in her bedroom.

Both Claire and Bailey miss Tia dearly, and we hope the portrait will bring her comfort for many years to come.

Pet Portrait Prices

Tia’s framed oil portrait displayed on a cabinet in the client's home. — Tia’s portrait displayed in a client's home.

Framed oil painting of Tia the cat, showing the intricate brushwork. — Framed cat oil painting of Tia.

Happy Clients...

"Hi Melanie and Nicholas,

After taking the portrait home, we unwrapped it and placed it on Claire’s bedside cabinet, planning to give it to her at Christmas. Claire was due to attend a nearby conference and stay overnight. We decided to leave the portrait in place for her to find, so Christmas would not be tinged with sadness.

When she took her things up, there was a pause followed by the expected sobbing! Upon recovering, she said how beautiful the portrait was. She even sent a photo to a colleague who had recently been through something similar, saying she was not alone in crying over such things.

Claire then looked up Nicholas from his signature and found the web page with Tia’s portrait, which she thought was very impressive. After she returned home, she immediately hung the painting in a temporary place and sent us photos. The other light of her life, Bailey, is also shown in one of the pictures. For now, the portrait is placed where it won’t catch her eye directly until she’s a little more used to seeing it. We cannot thank you enough.
Barbara and Barrie Trumper"

Framed oil painting of Tia the cat, showcasing her calm expression. — Another view of the framed cat oil painting of Tia.

Close-up detail of the framed cat oil portrait, highlighting the texture and color. — Close-up detail of the framed cat oil portrait.

How It Works

If you’ve never commissioned a pet portrait before or are curious about the process, our guide explains everything from choosing your photos to receiving the final painting. It’s a simple step by step journey, and we’re always happy to help if you need advice along the way.

How It Works

Tia’s cat oil portrait in progress on an artist's easel, showing initial layers. — Tia’s portrait on an easel showing progress.

Close-up of Tia’s oil painting, highlighting the detailed fur and eye work. — Close-up of Tia’s oil painting detail.

Commission Your Own Cat Portrait

Tia’s story is a reminder of how powerful a painting can be. If you’d like to commission your own cat portrait in oils, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you have a favourite photo or need help choosing, we’ll guide you through it all.

Visit Our Next Cat Portrait

Another close-up of Tia’s oil painting, focusing on the refined details. — Another close-up of Tia’s oil painting.

Tia’s finished oil portrait, beautifully framed and ready for its new home. — Tia’s oil portrait framed and ready.

Cat Oil Painting on Canvas

The Story Behind Tia’s Portrait

Happy Clients...

How It Works

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