GOLDEN TIME
Companion animals fill our lives with friendship and irreplaceable memories. As such, it is a somber chapter when they cross the rainbow bridge, whether due to illness, old age, or accidents.
The undeniable reality is that most animal companions have shorter lifespans compared to humans. Despite the short presence of beloved animals, human guardians always aspire to provide the very best for them.
Most human guardians seek to immortalize moments with their animal companions in various artistic expressions. Artists have taken inspiration from animals for paintings, digital portraits, sculptures, crocheted or embroidered pieces, model stuffed toys, and a myriad of other crafts.
HEARTFELT RELICS
We have gathered a list of nine artists from different parts of the Philippines, and we recommend that you check them out if you’re an animal lover looking to commission artwork.
These talented individuals showcase beautiful and creative ways of bringing our animal companions to life.
ARTSEL PROJECT
Instagram: @artselprojectph | TikTok: @artselprojectph | Facebook: Artsel Project
Artsel Project by Arsel Castro specializes in digital illustrations of animal companions.
It all started when she wanted a memoir of her animal companion. Now, it’s a business that preserves memories and supports families. With a focus on Cats and Dogs, Artsel Project uniquely combines artistry and love for animals.
She adds a personal touch to each illustration, capturing the emotions in the animal’s eyes. Arsel engages in deep conversations with customers, empathizing with the difficulty of coping with the loss of a friend.
DAGUM EMBROIDERY
Instagram: @dagum_embroidery | Facebook: Dagum
Named after the Waray word for needle, Dagum is run by Ja Turla, a multimedia artist- turned embroidery enthusiast.
For Ja, animal companions are at the heart of her art. She brings an element of nostalgia to clients through intricately embroidered portraits of their animal companions.
With every stitch, Dagum becomes a vessel for the enduring love between owners and their beloved companions. She carefully analyzes reference photos provided by her clients to capture the animal companions’ individual nuances — the fur’s direction, the sparkle in their eyes, their personalized collars, and even the presence of the cone of shame.
Dagum transforms all these details into personalized, embroidered expressions of animal companions’ personalities.
FURRYOLOGY PH
Instagram: @furryology.ph | TikTok: @furryology.ph | Facebook: Furryology PH
Furryology PH is a needle-felt artwork business, tracing its origins back to 2018 when the owner stumbled upon the art of needle felting. The choice to work on animals, especially Dogs and Cats, comes from a deep love of the artist for all animals.
The artist places a strong emphasis on capturing the distinct facial features of each animal companion – deemed as the most crucial aspect of the creation, ensuring the utmost satisfaction of their customers.
Some clients want to add real fur from their animal companions to their custom-made pieces for a more heartfelt touch. Each creation brings back happy memories of clients and their animal companions.
GANTSILYO BY ELLE
Instagram: @gantsilyo.by.elle | Tiktok: @gantsilyo.by.elle | Facebook: Gantsilyo by Elle
Gantsilyo by Elle crafts unique crochet animal replicas, specializing in keychains and plushies or amigurumi.
Danielle, the artist behind these crafts, began her crochet journey during the pandemic and started taking commissions in 2021. Apart from regular crochet, Danielle uses a special technique for Dog replicas like Shih Tzus, Poodles, Chow Chows, etc. The process involves crocheting the base, adding yarn to create a fur-like texture, and then carefully trimming the excess.
She meticulously caters to clients’ preferences, incorporating unique details and letting them choose yarn colors for a clear vision.
Based on the details provided on the Loves Crafts website, the term amigurumi is formed by blending two Japanese words: ami, referring to crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, which means stuffed doll.
IBONVILLALONART
Instagram: @ibonvillalon.art | Tiktok: @ibonvillalon.art
Ibon Villalon, the artist behind ibonvillalonart, started her commission business in Davao during the pandemic.
It is a way for her to express her creativity as she focuses on the richness of oil paints, which she finds exciting for her artistic exploration. Her passion goes beyond human portraits, as she also does portraits of animals.
Ibon has chosen oil paints for their superior blending capabilities, setting them apart from watercolor and acrylic. Using alla prima technique, she brings her subjects to life by adding paints in one sitting.
Notably, Ibon has become known for a distinctive client-requested style – a captivating black background that serves as a poignant backdrop, particularly cherished for commemorating beloved animals.
According to the information from the website of Artists & Illustrators, Alla prima is an Italian expression translating to “at the first attempt”. It also denotes a wet-on-wet technique where fresh paint is applied to layers that are still wet from the previous application.
MELANCHOLYRUE ART
Instagram: @melancholyrue_art | Tiktok: @melancholyrue_art
Melancholyrue is an animal portrait artist based in Quezon Province. She started getting into commissioned work in 2021.
With over 100 pet portraits already painted, Melancholyrue’s inspiration comes from a profound love for animals, evident in the 14 Cats and three Dogs being cared for at home.
She utilizes acrylic paint on canvas to bring each animal’s character to life, relying on detailed descriptions and high-definition photos from her clients. To craft each portrait, she asks her clients for their animal companions’ favorites, such as toys, activities, and their treasured moments.
Client requests, whether adding a necklace or creating a grassy backdrop, strengthen the emotional bond between the human companion and their animal companions.
NORI NEYRA ART
Instagram: @norineyraart | TikTok: @norineyraart | Facebook: Nori Neyra Art | Youtube: Nori Neyra Art
Nori Neyra Art, currently based in Mandaluyong, is gaining attention in the art world.
Nori started by drawing people, then got inspired by an old photo of her childhood Dog. This led her to draw realistic animal portraits using chalk pencils.
What makes Nori’s work special is her careful craftsmanship and personal touch. She connects with clients, understanding their wishes for customization, such as adding names or favorite poses.
A hallmark of Nori’s artistry lies in her unwavering focus on the eyes. Recognizing that the eyes are the first point of connection in any portrait, she skillfully enhances them to breathe life and emotion into her creations.
PET PORTRAITS BY ROXY
Instagram: @petartbyroxy | TikTok: @petartbyroxy
Behind Pet Portraits by Roxy is Roxanne Ricohermoso, who started with art commissions during the pandemic, from portraits of friends to those of animals.
Her attention to detail extends to material selection, with a preference for high curator premium grade oil pigments, convinced of their transformative influence on the entire composition.
Embracing also the alla prima technique, Roxanne immerses herself in direct painting, utilizing impressionist brushwork in each piece.
A unique facet of her artistic collaboration is the client’s involvement in selecting the emotional tone of the piece. While accommodating various preferences, she gravitates towards dramatic memory.
STUDIO HANDOG
Instagram: @studiohandog | TikTok: @studiohandog
Studio Handog is owned by the couple Marj and Ian. Marj specializes in drawing, while Ian handles tasks from cutting paper to packing artwork.
Starting in April 2021, Marj’s serious art journey began with a focus on graphite pencil drawings of Dogs, later expanding to colored options due to demand.
Marj’s deep love for Dogs — she cares for nine of them — inspires her hyper-realistic animal portraits using graphite and colored pencils. She recognizes the value of creating meaningful keepsakes, particularly for those without high-quality photos of their animal companions.
They recommend preserving the unique characteristics of the animal companions, such as tousled fur or signs of aging, to capture their distinct charm.
ART IN THE TIME OF COVID
According to the study by Morse and colleagues in 2021 published in Frontier, people explored various pastimes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with arts and crafts. Some went into commemorating animal companions, deceased or living. More than just about earning money, creating art inspired by beloved animals leads to catharsis, as it allows people to express the profound connection they share with them.
