Description
What Is a Memorial Pet Portrait?
A memorial pet portrait is a custom, hand-painted work of art created in memory of a beloved dog, cat, or other pet who has passed. Unlike a printed photo or a digital rendering, a hand-painted portrait is a physical, one-of-a-kind piece made specifically to celebrate your pet’s unique personality, spirit, and story.
At High Hound Low Hound, memorial portraits are painted in acrylic on stretched canvas and crafted from your favorite photos. Each painting is as unique as the animal it honors.
Karen Hesselbach Paints Memorial Portraits with Personal Understanding
Karen is a professional artist and designer with more than 25 years of creative experience, including work with Disney and Anthropologie. She launched High Hound Low Hound in 2018 out of a deep love for animals and the people who cherish them.
She also paints from lived experience.
When Karen lost one of her own dogs, she kept painting. It helped. She came to understand firsthand what it feels like to want to see your pet’s face again, to want that connection made visible and lasting. That personal understanding shapes every memorial portrait she creates.
“I know you want to see your baby’s face. I know you want them back on your lap. I know you want to say good morning and tell them you love them. Painting through my own grief made me realize I might have something real to give to people going through this.”
— Karen Hesselbach
What Makes These Memorial Portraits Different
Karen’s painting style is whimsical, expressive, and full of personality. Her goal is never to simply replicate a photo. It’s to pull out the essence of your pet: the spark, the silliness, the soulfulness that made them yours.
Many clients choose to incorporate meaningful personal elements into their memorial portraits, such as:
- Favorite colors in the background palette
- Symbolic flowers — birth month blooms, a garden your pet loved
- Seasonal or holiday motifs that felt like “your” time together
- Decorative details that reflect your pet’s personality or your shared story
- Multiple pets in a single composition (available for up to two pets per canvas)
These choices make the finished piece feel deeply personal, not just a portrait, but a story.
Portrait Options & Sizing
Memorial pet portraits are available in multiple canvas sizes to suit your space and budget.
Available sizes:
- 5″ × 5″
- 8″ × 10″
- 11″ × 14″
- 16″ × 20″
- 20″ × 20″
Portraits can feature one or two pets. Pricing varies by canvas size and complexity. View custom dog portraits | View custom cat portraits
How to Commission a Memorial Pet Portrait
The process is simple, and Karen will guide you through every step.
Step 1: Share your photos
Send one or more photos of your pet. Clear photos that capture their face and personality work best. Don’t worry if you only have casual snapshots. Karen works with what you have and knows how to find the magic in an imperfect photo.
Step 2: Choose your size
Select the canvas size that fits your space. Indicate whether you’d like one or two pets in the composition.
Step 3: Personalize
Share any background colors, motifs, or personal details you’d like woven into the piece. This is where your portrait becomes truly yours.
Step 4: Karen paints
Karen creates your portrait by hand using professional-grade acrylic paint on stretched canvas. Most commissions take 4–6 weeks.
Step 5: Delivery
Your finished portrait is carefully packaged and shipped anywhere in the United States.
Memorial Pet Portraits as a Thoughtful Gift
A memorial pet portrait isn’t only for yourself. Many clients commission portrait paintings to give as gifts to a friend or family member who has recently lost a pet—a gesture that says, I see your grief, and I honor it.
These paintings make meaningful gifts for:
- A friend mourning the loss of a dog or cat
- A family member who recently said goodbye to a beloved companion
- A pet owner facing end-of-life care decisions who wants something lasting
If you’re ordering as a gift and need guidance on what photos to share or how to keep the surprise, Karen is happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Memorial Pet Portraits
What photos should I send?
Clear, well-lit photos of your pet’s face are ideal. Photos that capture their personality—their typical expression, their favorite pose—help Karen bring the painting to life. Multiple photos are welcome. You don’t need professional photography.
How long does a memorial portrait take?
Most commissions are completed within 4–6 weeks. Rush timelines may be available. Contact Karen to discuss your needs.
Can you include more than one pet?
Yes. Portraits can feature up to two pets in a single composition.
What if my pet was a breed that’s harder to paint?
Karen has painted pets of all breeds, colors, coat textures, and sizes. If you have a question about your specific pet, reach out before ordering.
Do you paint pets other than dogs and cats?
Reach out through the contact page to discuss your specific pet.
Can I include personal elements, like flowers or a special color?
Absolutely. Personalizing the background and details is encouraged and part of what makes each portrait meaningful.
How is the portrait shipped?
Finished paintings are carefully packaged and shipped anywhere in the United States.
Start Your Memorial Portrait
Your pet gave you years of love. A hand-painted portrait gives that love somewhere to live.
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