Commissions
Custom Art, Painted For You
Original commissioned paintings, pet portraits, and one-of-a-kind gifts, hand-painted in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Tell us about your piece and we’ll reply within 24 hours.
Commissioned Work
Pieces painted for the people who asked for them, with Courtney’s notes where she wrote them. Request a commission
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(photograph 3 of 32, opens full size)Acrylic on Canvas 20"x22"
This painting Is of a friend's personal home/Airbnb in the Villa Pesquera area of Isabela Puerto Rico. It is called "The Seahorse" and is in such a cool location. I played with the contrast of shadows from the hot sun that mark everything in the midday island heat.
(photograph 4 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 18"x24"
This pet portrait was painted from an old fuzzy photo of a cherished family member of the past. With less detail from the reference photo, the painting a more angelic quality. I love the senior dog eyes that still give soul without so much detail.
(photograph 5 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 18"x24"
This owner requested a painting of a special moment in time. Her dogs love to go out on the porch when they sense a storm is coming, and sit and watch it roll in. I used larger brush strokes and less detail to give the painting an overall feeling of "in the distance". Commissions are personal and created through a small planning session with the client to get a feel for what they value most in a personal piece.
(photograph 6 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 20"x24"
I was lucky enough to get to see this sweet boy on a regular basis, so when the owner asked me to paint Mahoney, I knew exactly how to paint him... belly up and ready for affection. The bright red-orange background really pops against the black and white fur.
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(photograph 11 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 20"x30"
The owner of this portrait asked for a very specific shad of blue as her background. I used ultramarine and Prussian blue to get the rich dark shadows and the bright halo effect. This Boxer-mix, Bruno, is obsessed with his raw hide chews. Its the only thing he really cares about.
(photograph 12 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 10"x10"
The owner of this portrait loves two things in this life... his dog and the Cincinnati Reds. Naturally he asked for Henry to be painted inside the Great American Ballpark. This was a really fun challenge and also helped solidify my love for painting houses and architectural subjects.
(photograph 13 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 20"x24"
This pup was one I visited regularly, so I knew Cooper well. He was very serious about zoomies and keeping a watchful eye from his favorite spot. Painting the background and pet bed with less detail gives the piece a pop art feel and lands the viewer right on those intense eyes.
(photograph 14 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 20"x30"
This was painted for my oldest of my two younger sisters. Being a family of four girls, she was the one who joined our father in hunting, fishing, and many other things he needed a buddy for. Her dog Reagan is a trained retriever for duck hunting. Looks like she did her job well.
(photograph 15 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 16"x20"
The owner of this dog wanted to show his dog ready to go for a drive in his classic Ford truck. He said every time the front door opened, his pup would run and jump in the bed of the truck whether it was time to go or not. Painting his classic car was a new challenge, and I enjoyed it a lot.
(photograph 16 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 10"x10"
This small portrait of a Chinese Crested pup is one of my favorites. From his wispy face fur blowing in the breeze and the hairless wrinkles on his neck, to the name "Big Boi". Everything about this painting and this dog screams "BIG" in a small package.
(photograph 17 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 16"x20"
This close-up portrait shows the goofy and lovable personality of this dog in his big paws, boopable snoot, and soulful eyes.
(photograph 18 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 20"x30"
This sweet golden retriever, Bama, loved to go on hikes with her owner. Naturally, I had to represent the trail in the background. By painting the background after the tree branches, it gives a stained glass look to the forest.
(photograph 19 of 32, opens full size)The Huber Family- I started this painting live at a birthday party and finished it later from event photos. These types of work create memorable art for individuals who want to elevate their space with more personal artwork.
(photograph 20 of 32, opens full size)I've always enjoyed doing house paintings as commissions.
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(photograph 23 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 8"x10"
This portrait of a young pup pulls you in with those sweet eyes and shiny black coat.
(photograph 24 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 10"x10"
This painting of a senior pup highlights her soulful look and that distinctive "cherry eye".
(photograph 25 of 32, opens full size)Acrylic on Canvas 12"x12"
This Pet portrait was made for my Parents. They have always been huge supporters of my art and made it very easy to access art education throughout my childhood. I remember when Hazel first came home to them... it was love at first sight and she has replaced my sisters and I as their child at home.
(photograph 26 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 2'x6'
This pet portrait was a very special tribute to the family's past pets. I referenced three separate photos, so I sized and positioned each dog to make them more cohesive. I love the pop of the tongue and collar and the bright blue background to balance the composition.
(photograph 27 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 5"x5"
This small pet portrait is one of a set I painted for the President of the UPAW organization in Nashville, TN. The owner only had an old photo of this sweet baby, so the style came out a little different. I love the way the paint suggests "what to see" to the viewer.
(photograph 28 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 16"x12"
The owner of this talented pup says that every time he goes to his bed, he takes his favorite squirrel toy and tosses it perfectly in the air to land like this on his head... every time. The direct sunlight coming in from the left side creates great contrast in this portrait.
(photograph 29 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 16"x20"
This pet portrait is all about those ears. To balance out the bright pink ears at the top, I left more of his body in the composition so it catches that strip of white on his chest and the pink belly peeking out.
(photograph 30 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 8"x10"
This is the second painting in the pair I painted for the President of UPAW Nashville, TN. I love this little girl's cute ponytail and fluffy silky coat. You can tell she is a princess.
(photograph 31 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 12"x12"
The owner wanted to cherish the way her sweet pup always crossed his paws like this when laying down. You don't always need a full portrait to recognize something easily.
(photograph 32 of 32, opens full size)Oil on Canvas 10"x10"
The lime background of this portrait was chosen to highlight those almost neon green cat eyes.
The Story Behind a Commission
A commission starts as a conversation about what you actually want to live with. Sometimes that is a dog who still feels like family. Sometimes it is a plant that has outlasted every other thing in the house or it’s the house itself. Sometimes it is a feeling you cannot name yet. We find it together, then I paint it once. The piece is the record of that looking.
Courtney Edwards
Oil on Canvas 20"x30"
The piece that started it
This pup known as "The Dude" was the painting that launched my pet portrait career into overdrive. Although it was still something I did outside of a regular job, this portrait got me in the door of some of Nashville's amazing pet rescue organizations and led to so much work. It also taught me to charge based on the time it takes to paint certain types of fur. This brindle pattern takes time to achieve and still maintain my artistic style in the painting.
Studio story
In Courtney's own voice
Loading the studio story...
Why Commission a Piece
Yours and Only Yours
Every commission is painted once, for you -- your subject, your palette, your story. No reprints of someone else's wall art.
Any Subject, Any Size
Pet portraits, beach scenes, florals, family keepsakes -- from mini studies to statement canvases sized for the room.
Sketch Before Paint
You approve a concept sketch and a fixed quote before a single brushstroke -- no surprises when the piece arrives.
How It Works
From first message to finished piece.
Request
Tell us about the piece below. We reply within 24 hours.
Concept & Quote
A short back-and-forth on subject, size, and references, then a sketch with a fixed quote.
Deposit & Painting
A deposit books your spot; you get progress photos as the piece comes to life.
Delivery
The finished piece is sealed, packed, and shipped -- or picked up in Isabela.
How a Commission Comes Together
This pet portrait set of cat-dog-brothers was created for a specific space... the heart of the home-the kitchen.
Reference photo
Reference photo
Finished piece
The cat portrait featured.
Finished piece
The dog portrait featured.
Finished piece
Both paintings together finished.
Request a Commission
Share a few details about the piece you have in mind -- there’s no obligation to book.