The Art of Capturing Love: My Journey as a Pet Illustrator

Hello, fellow pet lovers! I’m Karen O’Shaughnessy, the artist behind The Pretty Mutt, where I get to combine my two greatest passions: pets and art. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and share the journey that led me from the fast-paced fashion world to becoming a full-time pet illustrator, creating heartfelt portraits of the animals we hold dear.

From Fashion to Fine Art

While art has always been a major part of my life and I was hired for paid commissions already in school, I was not convinced it would be a career path for me. Therefore career didn’t begin with a paintbrush in hand. I started as a fashion journalist but quickly realized that my true passion lay in creating fashion rather than writing about it. I worked my way up from sales to quality control, sourcing materials, and eventually developed my own line of private label high-fashion shoes in the footwear industry. I traveled across Europe and the Far East, attending fashion and trade shows and designing shoes right in the factory, living a dream life in Hamburg, Germany. Fashion was exhilarating, but I always found solace in art.

During my time in Hamburg, I ran my own creative business side hustle, where I crafted lettering art for businesses, decorated big retailers' storefront windows, and performed live sketching for flagship store openings. This experience honed my skills and deepened my love for visual expression.

Discovering the Muse: Missy the Houston Super Mutt

Everything changed when I moved to Houston with my husband and adopted Missy, our "super mutt." She quickly became the muse I didn’t know I was waiting for. From her goofy twirls to her stoic, camera-ready poses, Missy brought endless inspiration into my life. As a dog mom, my heart overflowed with love for her. This deep connection was more intense than any bond I had with our family pets before, though I always thought they were deep and I always considered myself a dog lover.

The Birth of The Pretty Mutt

Art has always been my way of expressing love, joy, and connection. So, while painting animals was never of interest to me (I used to be spezialized on women’s nudes), all things changed with Missy. While I always painted her at home, several incidents at the Dogpark made me feel compelled to create art for other people too.

Missy has always been a beautiful dog. Her piercing eyes and stoic, almost royal facial expression (probably due to her terrible underbite :-), she always stood out at the dog park and at dog friendly events. People would ask me what breed she was and I’d laugh it off, “Oh she’s a Houston Super Mutt” and she is. Her Embark DNA results give more than 8 different breeds, non over 20%! People would give me the weirdest shock reaction: What? She’s way too pretty to be a mutt. WHAT? was there a beauty standard for dogs I wasn’t aware of and other dogs just didn’t meet the quota? That’s when I proclaimed, ALL DOGS ARE PRETTY! and I turned my focus to pet illustration, where I could capture the unique personalities of beloved dogs, cats, and other animals. That’s how The Pretty Mutt was born — a passion project that’s now a full-fledged business.

I specialize in creating colorful portraits that reflect the beauty and individuality of every animal. Whether it’s a dog in a playful outfit or a heartfelt memorial piece, I pour my heart into each creation, knowing that I’m helping pet parents preserve special memories.

Why Pet Illustration?

Sketching Rescue Dogs…

has brought incredible joy to my life.

What I love most about illustrating pets is that every portrait tells a story. It’s not just about how they look, but the connection they share with their humans. My goal is to capture that bond, to create keepsakes that bring joy and comfort — especially for those mourning the loss of their furry friends.

Creating pet art has allowed me to connect with pet parents on a deeply emotional level. I’ve had clients share their heartfelt stories with me, and their reactions to the finished pieces often bring tears of joy. Knowing that my art plays a part in preserving these special memories is incredibly rewarding. This is a huge departure from painting naked ladies :-)

My Creative Process painting Dogs and other Pets

**Otto Mueller -** Mädchen im Grünen, um 1920. Hamburger Kunsthalle

Each pet portrait I create begins with a deep analysis of the dog's face, shape, and color. I study the geometry of their features to ensure accurate proportions and spend time understanding what makes each dog unique. Whether it’s their expressive eyes, a charming smile, or the cutest floppy ears, I focus on these distinctive traits to bring their personality to life in my sketches.

My artistic influences also play a significant role in my work. I draw inspiration from The Brücke Movement and the Blaue Reiter, both of which are known for their vibrant and expressive portraits. I would sit for hours in museums in Hamburg and the rest of Europe to sketch from these paintings like one of my favorites:

This influence is evident in the colorful and dynamic nature of my pet illustrations.

Looking Forward

Being a pet illustrator has brought me immense joy and fulfillment. Every time I send off a finished portrait, I know I’ve made a meaningful contribution to someone’s life. It’s the legacy I want to leave — to create art that sparks joy and honors the love between pets and their people. On my now pet journey and living in Houston, Texas, I have unfortunately also learned that some pups do not have that bond. But all dogs are pretty…. So I paint them nevertheless. I work together with “Houston Pets Alive!” and regularly sketch those fur babies that are ready to find their forever home. It has been incredibly rewarding to me, and I hope my work and sharing of of my work can contribute to them living their best lives with their families soon.

I am looking forward to developing new ideas for you and your pup, to inspire you with my art and blog to enjoy the moments with your pets even more and cherish your special connections.

Thank you for joining me on this artistic journey. I hope that my work not only celebrates the beauty of animals but also serves as a reminder of the incredible bond we share with them.