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All her life Christine Boulsover has drawn and painted, but after trying her hand at people portraits, she decided that it was the furry ones she preferred the most.
And now she’s found her calling, creating a pet portrait business so that animal owners can experience and enjoy her creations.
Christine started Pastel Pets in 2016 when she decided to follow her love of painting pet portraits.
“Since starting Pastel Pets I have learnt a lot, not only about painting but how much people really do love their pets,” she said.
Pastel Pets is located at Forest Lake but Christine’s interest sparked while recently living in the United Kingdom for a few years.
There, she attended a local gallery workshop in pet portraiture using pastels.
“I knew straightaway this was for me and as an animal lover I knew I had found my niche,” she said.
Christine aims to create lifelike, highly detailed portraits that reflect the true image of the subject and she believes that a portrait should be a true representation of a dearly loved pet.
“Shani, my adored Australian Terrier/Jack Russell cross has been a very willing subject!”
Roman is another example of pastel brought to life.
He is a handsome toy poodle who won 'Best Toy in Show' at The Poodle Club of Queensland's major event a few years ago.
Pastels are a fabulous medium to use allowing Christine to carefully capture the softness of fur.
She uses a combination of hard and soft pastels as well as pastel pencils on a high quality pastelmat surface.
Each portrait takes many hours to complete and Christine loves how it takes on a life of its own as it develops.
“A pet portrait lasts forever, brings back happy memories and is easy to talk to. I chat to the portrait as I paint and always feel a touch of sadness when I hand it over to the client.”
Formal study at art college gave Christine the skills and knowledge to create artwork but it is only since she retired that she has seriously pursued the avenue of pet portraiture.
“I started the business because I wanted to use my artistic skills in a way that could bring real pleasure to people.
“I love animals and I love to draw and paint.”