ABOUT IMAGES, INK. 

Welcome to the story of Images, Ink.! 

It's bittersweet, really.  I will never forget the day I met the dog who would ultimately turn out to be a great love of my life.  Problem is, he was already taken. He belonged to a good friend of mine.  

Half beagle, half rottweiler, even if he couldn't be mine exactly, I knew instantly O.D. and I would be friends for life. His rightful owner, and an extremely good one at that, asked me one day if I could do a sketch of O.D. for him to hang on his "Wall o' O.D." As much as I have always loved animals, I never actually sketched one before. But why not?  I could draw just about anything else, why not O.D.?   

Mid-sketch, I knew something special was happening. It was then I knew that O.D. had come into my life for a reason. Before then, I was never quite sure of my destiny on this earth. From that moment, Images, Ink. was born!

ABOUT ME 

I reside in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, just outside our great state capital, with my adorable cat, Isaac.  Raised with 5 cats, I've always been an animal lover and an artist, since I was very young.  In college, at Wilkes University, I studied writing and art, also dabbling in film and philosophy, graduating in 1999.  I pretty well covered every field of study that generates the question, "What are you going to do with a degree in THAT?" 

I say, "I shall do pet portraits, and be happy."

ABOUT MY PORTRAITS 

Each new portrait is a new adventure, and a chance to make a new animal friend!  I use a carbon pencil that is very similar to charcoal, but less smeary so it allows for very clean lines and lots of detail. It's the eyes that bring out the true nature of the animal in the portrait. After I do a very light initial sketch in a regular lead pencil, I begin with the eyes and work outward. It's really amazing how they come to life! 

I work personally with you from your photographs.  I also love to hear your stories of how your pets have affected your life, or any amusing anecdotes about their 'quirks' and adventures. Our pets are our lives and I want to give you nothing but the best and most carefully-crafted portrait possible.  I communicate with every customer personally, and I want to hear your ideas and suggestions so you get exactly the portrait you want.  

I also try to keep my portraits at very reasonable prices.  A lot of time and care goes into them, but I want you to be able to afford it!  If you compare with other artists out there--and there are a lot of good ones--pet portraits can be very expensive.  I live a simple lifestyle, so I can keep my rates down.