Meet Marisa Carmady
Thanks for stopping by. I specialize in realistic pet portraits with a touch of wonder and romance.
I studied fine art in college and spent much of my free time photographing and drawing people, first for fun and eventually as commissioned work. I loved the challenge of capturing someone’s character and noticing the small details that make them uniquely recognizable.
One day I drew a dog for someone I knew and posted it online. Before long, people began asking me to draw their pets, and what started as a hobby gradually became my work. At first, I drew pets on simple white backgrounds, but eventually I began adding settings to the portraits, starting with simple meadows and gradually evolving into more imaginative scenes filled with color, dappled light, and a little atmosphere.
I’ve always had two favorite subjects of my artwork: getting up close to the small, intimate details of a face and creating beautiful, ethereal scenes. Being able to bring those two things together in a single portrait is something I especially enjoy. Many of my clients give me the creative freedom to design a setting that complements their pet, while others have a specific vision or prefer the simplicity of a plain backdrop, or a favorite color to coordinate with their space. Either way, I enjoy every piece and the time I get to spend getting to know each little creature through the process.
I still love the simplicity of a portrait on a white background, but I also love creating little worlds for the animals I draw.
Please take a look around. It’s nice to have you here.
Q & A
Do you mainly do portraits or do you offer other artistic or specific design services?
I primarily focus on portraits, but every now and then, I receive requests for other types of artwork like landscapes, floral pieces, or something a bit different—and I really enjoy those. I’m usually happy to take on a variety of projects, and there aren’t many that I turn away.
Who is your favorite artist?
I have many favorite artists, but lately, I’ve been especially drawn to Albert Bierstadt. His work is focused entirely on landscapes, yet they feel so emotional—almost living and breathing. It’s rare to see such sweeping depth and feeling in scenes that don’t include people or animals. His ability to evoke that kind of emotion through nature alone is really captivating.
Who are some artists who inspire you?
I can spend hours getting lost in the work of Rembrandt and Caravaggio—the way they painted light is just breathtaking. I’m also really inspired by Mark Maggiori; as a contemporary artist, his work speaks to me in a different but equally powerful way.