My Story – Joy Draws Dogs | Pet Portrait Artist
My story is one of unapologetic personal change; embracing creativity and fully immersing myself in what brings joy. Truth be told, I never set out thinking I’d become a pet portrait artist, but here’s how Joy Draws Dogs was born.
Dogs - An Early Obsession
I’ve always loved dogs. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t adore them. At just three years old I began asking my parents if we could add a dog to our family - but the answer was always no.
Growing up, a dog simply wasn’t possible. We were a busy family, and there wasn’t the time to give a dog the love and attention it deserved. Instead, we were cat people, but I always knew that one day, when the time was right, I’d have a canine companion of my own.
In my twenties, I spent hours researching everything about dogs from breeds to training techniques and enrichment activities. I might have been years away from dog ownership, but my passion for them never faded.
Creativity in My Bones
When I wasn’t fawning over dogs, you’d find me doing something creative... painting, sketching, doodling, making clothes, writing, or designing on our old family computer. Creativity was my safe space, where the world went quiet and it was just me and my craft.
After university, I leaned into writing. I worked for international beauty and fashion brands and ran blogs back when blogging was still new. I put down my pencils and paintbrushes, not realising it would be years before I picked them up again.
Life and work filled the space. But when I turned 30, I finally welcomed my beloved dog Bruce, an Airedale Terrier who became the light of my world. I began writing for pet brands, launched a dog blog, and was even nominated for awards.
A Life Interrupted
A few years later, I had twins and my world turned upside down. Writing fell by the wayside, and though I longed to draw, every attempt frustrated me. My skills had deteriorated, and between caring for babies and a dog, I had no time or energy to rebuild them.
Life without creativity left me unfulfilled. Something was missing.
The Turning Point
It took two big events to help me change direction.
First: my 40th birthday.
I’d never feared ageing, but turning 40 made me deeply reflective. I felt stuck, like life was harder for me than for everyone else. I often said, “I’m just not good at life.” Shame weighed heavily; I hadn’t achieved what I set out to, and I was exhausted from simply existing.
Then came the second event: an ADHD diagnosis.
In the very same month I received treatment, I began drawing dogs. Two things had always been constant in my life: a love of dogs and an unshakable need for creativity. I knew it was time to stop abandoning myself and start making space for what truly mattered.
Learning and Growing
My first drawings, of Bruce and later my dad’s dog, Minnie, weren’t masterpieces, but they reignited something powerful. I drew for fun, with no pressure. I made mistakes, learnt through failure, and slowly built my skills back up, one dog portrait at a time.
When my dad asked me to create Minnie’s portrait for Christmas, I poured everything I’d learned into it. The result was better than anything I’d drawn before and I thought, maybe this could be something more.
Soon, requests for custom pet portraits started coming in. At first, I treated it like a hobby, but eventually I embraced commissions. I even entered a wildlife illustration competition and made the longlist (and I'll hear about the shortlist soon!).
One year after drawing Bruce for the first time, I officially launched Joy Draws Dogs.
My “Why”
At its heart, Joy Draws Dogs exists to celebrate and commemorate the pets who mean the world to us.
The moment someone sees their pet’s portrait for the first time is unlike anything else. There are often tears because a good portrait does more than capture a likeness. It reflects the bond, the loyalty, the unconditional love that only a pet can give.
Custom dog portraits allow you to see your pet’s personality, quirks, and soul immortalised forever and that’s my why.
Looking Ahead
As someone with ADHD, I always have a million ideas for Joy Draws Dogs, I have a list longer than my arm of products, prints and services I could offer! Right now though, my focus is on spreading the word about my dog portraits, drawing more of your extraordinary pets, and expanding my print collection.
The future of Joy Draws Dogs feels bright, and I’m so grateful you’re here to share it with me.
If you’d like to be part of this community, join the Paw Prints Club - you’ll get occasional updates, early news, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my world as a pet portrait artist. You can sign up at the bottom of the page.