Artist - Sylvanna VanderPark
My painting started with my dogs – I had relocated to New York City and left my dog, Wolfgang, to live with my parents in the countryside with their dog, Luke. I missed Wolfgang terribly and took to painting him to bring him closer to me. I quite enjoyed it and I got some compliments so I ventured out into painting other people’s dogs as gifts. From there I offered custom paintings for a fundraiser for the Airedale Terrier Rescue of the Virginias (ATRVA) and I was delighted to find that not only were people interested, but the winners, for the most part, enjoyed their paintings. From dogs I ventured into more abstract works once my daughter was born and she started to collaborate with me. I still love painting animals and I also enjoy exploring freeform/expressive works as inspired by my daughter’s fearless and loose technique and love for vibrant colours. For my own artwork, I simply hope to always get better, to create interesting pieces that sometimes have a narrative but always have all my heart invested into whatever I depict.
I still take in commissions to paint dogs, please contact me to start working with you on your project. Please see some examples of 9” x 12” paintings from photographs submitted by clients off to the right.
To see my full portfolio of work, please see my studio website gallery for reference to works by myself and other members of my family (who are more talented I might add!).
