More than just creativity is flowing from the tip of the paintbrush as artist Victoria Lowry coaches entrepreneur Janice Wright on the best way to add shading around the nose on a portrait of Frida the Yorkshire Terrier.
Pet owners have gathered at clothing boutique Fifi + Talbot in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina at a pop-up event to become artists by painting a portrait of their pet with Victoria’s guidance.
You may have seen local businesses offering sessions where artists assist attendees in painting a portrait of their beloved furbaby. Even if you don't think of yourself as being creative, don't be intimidated to sign up! This is an amazing way to commemorate your love for your pets and join the fun of appreciating the group's finished portraits.
That’s where North Carolina artist Victoria Lowry comes to the creative rescue. Victoria runs Victoria Lowry Art where she creates commissioned pet portraits and ornaments and teaches pet portraiture workshops at various small businesses.
When Janice secured a spot in Victoria’s popular pet portrait session, little did she know it was the beginning of a partnership inspired by these two women’s fierce love of dogs.
Let’s explore how a mutual love of dogs has brought two small business owners together to help foster connections in their communities – a win for everyone involved.
Passions That Turned Into Professions
Both Victoria and Janice have turned their passions into full-time careers. Their backgrounds have inspired both of them to go after their dreams.
Origins of Victoria Lowry Art
It’s easy to see how Victoria has such a successful pet portrait business when looking at her creative beginning. She grew up in the musical theater world and danced her way to a BFA in Dance and a BA in Studio Art from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. While there, she took her first painting class sophomore year as an elective course and found out “I was pretty good at it. Painting was an escape from the more rigid art form of concert dance,” noted Victoria.
Animals have always been a passion of Victoria’s, from her first word, “dog,” to her studio art thesis focusing on animal conservation as a fundraiser for the World Wildlife Fund. While in school, she also walked dogs and worked at a doggy daycare. Upon returning to North Carolina, she continued to pet sit and began volunteering with local rescues. “Venturing into pet portraiture was a natural merger of my two passions!” said Victoria about starting her own pet portrait business.
Victoria shared how she took her studio knowledge and discovered how to start a personalized pet portraits business from home. “While I love painting pet portraits, I hate being cooped up in an art studio all day, every day. That's where paint workshops and live painting began to come into play! I offer both public and private paint parties - Paint Your Pet is my specialty, of course! - as well as live event painting at everything from fundraisers to weddings or corporate events,” Victoria explained.
Victoria and Janice display Frida the Yorkshire Terrier's portrait
Janice Wright connects military families with local communities
Janice Wright found herself sitting in front of a blank canvas with a fresh palette of paint in one of Victoria’s classes. She has traveled an interesting road that has led her to her spot at the easel.
Janice is a passionate advocate for community connection and small business empowerment. As a proud military spouse, she understands the importance of fostering a strong sense of community within military towns. Through her vlog account My Suitcase Dreams, her goal is to bridge the gap between local small businesses and the communities they serve.
Frequently, military families are transient, only spending a few years at each active duty station. “It can be hard for a family to put down roots, get involved in their local communities, and feel a sense of belonging. It can also be daunting to spend the energy to explore what a community has to offer,” Janice stated.
Janice is always on the lookout for curating unique experiences in the towns surrounding Fort Liberty in North Carolina. She chooses businesses that are hidden gems offering exciting activities for everyone to enjoy, focusing on small business owners that either have experience with military service or provide opportunities that would resonate with them. By sharing these discoveries, she aims to improve the lives of others and strengthen the bond within the military community.
How the two entrepreneurs met
Janice has two spitfire Yorkshire Terriers named Frida and Danika. Janice's family decided on the Yorkshire Terrier breed because being a military family constantly on the move, their dogs’ compact size was a game-changer by making their relocations less stressful than having larger dogs.
The love Janice has for her dogs shone through when she explained, “Danika not only taught me but also my children the true meaning of loyalty and unconditional love. And then came Frida, our spirited, spunky pandemic addition. Frida has filled my family's home with endless puppy mischief and laughter.”
Janice was scrolling through a local community group on Facebook looking for innovative places and classes to share with her followers and came across Victoria’s profile. She noted Victoria hosted Paint Your Pet’s Portrait classes at various local businesses, particularly a local clothing boutique with whom Janice had formed a relationship recently.
Janice immediately had Frida’s dynamic personality in mind to capture in a painting. “I signed up for the class right away straight from Victoria’s website,” said Janice. “I was in awe of how realistic her pet portraits were. I had seen several paint parties before that were of scenery or fun images but never a ‘paint your pet’ theme. I mean, who would not want to create a custom pet portrait? This was something different than just a printed photo and allowed me to be creative.”
What to Expect at a Pet Portrait Painting Party
Victoria emphasized that one doesn’t have to consider themselves a brilliant artist to enjoy a class; rather, it’s okay if you’ve never even picked up a paintbrush. “My classes are not an intense art lesson,” she reassured. “You can expect an upbeat, fun atmosphere where we are there first and foremost to have a good time!”
The process for attending a Paint Portrait Party is simple. After registration, participants email a clear photo of their pet a week before the event. Victoria prepares a canvas with an outline so participants have guidance and don’t have to worry about drawing or getting the correct proportions of their pet. Victoria also provides all the art supplies and walks participants through creating their own flair.
Creating more than just a painting
Janice highlighted how warm and encouraging Victoria was to her crew of budding artists. After walking them through the details of painting hair and eyes, she encouraged participants to step back to see their progress. Janice said, “I learned that there is no mistake you can’t fix,” something that Janice will remember long after the workshop concludes.
Victoria also kept true to her word when she noted she tried to make class an encouraging, fun time. When they were done with their portraits, Janice explained, “We all cheered and looked around at each other and had such a great time seeing each other’s masterpieces. Frida had come to life! It was a lot of fun not only to see the photos everyone chose but to also hear the stories about their loved pets. It was a really wonderful experience and a good time connecting with fellow pet parents who also have a love for their furry friends.”
Not only did Janice leave with a vivid portrait of Frida but also new friendships acquired through a love of pets thanks to the opportunity Victoria provided.
Frida posing with her portrait
How These Two Dog Lovers Give Back to Their Communities
Victoria and Janice aim to bring the community together through their love of dogs, art, and outreach. They each utilize their platform to provide opportunities for people to connect both to others and within themselves.
Victoria’s art sparks joy
Victoria owns five dogs. She loves meeting new people and fostering a sense of community during her pet painting sessions. “I love having someone leave a class exclaiming how much fun they had and their painting turned out better than they could have imagined,” Victoria said. “But what I really love is seeing the joy and appreciation on someone's face when they receive a commissioned painting of their pet, especially one who has crossed the rainbow bridge.”
Art can be therapeutic
Janice found that Victoria’s pet painting class not only created a sense of rest and rejuvenation in her life but would also be an amazing opportunity for her followers to experience the same.
“Taking time to do something for fun for yourself is so important,” Janice explained. “As an entrepreneur during the busy season, it's so easy to put yourself last. This class was a time when I could sit and enjoy the moment and do an activity that involved my pet, which brought me so much joy.”
Janice understands the stress military families can experience, and she believes pet painting classes can be therapeutic to focus on their pets’ unconditional love and take their minds off their daily challenges and struggles.
“Why not bring two things that bring calmness and peace together like owning a pet and art?” Janice asked.
A Partnership of Pawsibilities
A love of pets can turn into more than just a cuddle session – it can also create new connections, introducing new groups of people who can bond over their love of pets.
Victoria is painting her own Big Picture with her pet painting business. “I have been so empowered by other female business owners and even other pet portrait artists. The camaraderie and sentiment that there's enough room for all of us allows us all to constantly grow by working together,” Victoria noted.
Janice is also eager to help bolster fellow entrepreneurs’ careers and efforts to make a difference in their communities. “I am deeply committed to helping small businesses thrive. I offer guidance on emphasizing the power of genuine relationships in the business world. I also empower businesses to build meaningful connections with both their customers and fellow entrepreneurs, fostering a supportive and thriving local ecosystem.”
Attending Victoria’s event made Janice realize that so many other pet parents would love to attend to celebrate their love of their pets and that pet portrait painting is a great way to strengthen the bond with their dogs. She is currently planning with Victoria to have her host a local event like this closer to her community since the class she attended was a bit further out from Fort Liberty. “Our future partnership will build a connection between local pet parents and resources for those with pets,” said Janice.
When two people are brought together by their love of dogs with similar goals of building community, the pawsibilities are endless.
Paint a Pawrade Puppy
If you’re looking to create a portrait but need your very own muse, consider puppies for sale at Pawrade. We assist people like Janice who might not be familiar with her area with finding their furry friend through our network of trustworthy breeders. We have a no-puppy mill pledge and work hard to prevent puppy scammers from succeeding through a secure transactional management system for peace of mind. Give us a call, and get ready to pick up your paintbrush!
