Guardians

Collector's Focus: Wild at Heart

Introduction by Alyssa M. Tidwell

In the Hawaiian language, people don’t call themselves the “owners” of their pets. Instead, you’re their “kahu.” The word often refers to pastors, preachers or ministers, but it can also mean guardian, honored attendant, caretaker and protector.

Our pets are more than just pets. They’re our hearts. They’re a part of our family, and we love them beyond measure. It’s easy for me to sit here and write about pets, because I have a dog of my own, Alfie, and I love him more than anything. The number of talented artists turning their attention toward pet portraits seems to grow every day, and the market for this type of artwork is huge. Some people may want to memorialize a beloved pet who’s passed away, while others might want to simply capture and celebrate their pets’ personalities in the here and now.

Jennifer Gennari, Foxhounds, oil on linen, 30 x 36”

Animal art is just that. It’s an art. Many painters have an immense amount of pride in the work they do, approaching their craft with the same fervor they would when painting people. “It’s an artist’s power and gift to interpret their world and allow others to see it, so for me, painting animals allows them to be seen the way I see them: pure, beautiful beings in harmony with the planet,” says classically-trained artist Jennifer Gennari. “They’re conscious creatures which are the flesh and blood representation of flowing rivers, mountains and forest trees, which bridge the gap between us and the more ‘unconscious’ natural world. We are interwoven with this planet, and when our minds forget that, our soul doesn’t, which is why an animal encounter of any kind reminds us of this interconnection. We see part of ourselves in them, and it’s this connection that I strive to represent in my work.”

Jennifer Gennari, Goals, oil on panel, 8 x 10”; Grace DeVito, Angus (French Bulldog), oil on canvas, 16 x 12”

Gennari studied classical realism under the great Daniel Graves at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, and she’s a faculty artist with the Portrait Society of America. Her painterly portraits of animals are as masterful as her portraits of people. “Animals have always been important to me. They’re important to a lot of people, but I’m one of those types whose day is completely made from even the slightest encounter with one,” she says. While Gennari had always worked in figurative art and narrative works, one day on a whim, she painted a sphynx cat and everything changed. “I posted the painting on Instagram, it sold, inquiries came in for similar paintings, and eight years later animal portraiture has made up about 95 percent of my career. I do a painting a day, and where one may get tired of the same topic over and over again, I find fulfillment. I’m inspired by the purity animals embody and the goodness they inspire in people. We want to be better for them and because of them.”

Johanne Mangi, Peaches n’ Cream, oil on linen, 12 x 9”; Grace DeVito, JoJo (Cow), oil on canvas, 8 x 8”

Discussing her artistic approach, Gennari says, “I think [it] starts with the enormous awe and respect I have for animals…I think when you feel passionately about anything, that’s bound to work its way into your paint.”

Within the pages of this special section, collectors can explore more artwork from talented artists who capture the animals in our lives, from dogs and cats to farm animals and more.

“Our animals are important members of our families and choosing to have a portrait is a way to keep them forever present,” says artist Grace DeVito.“We only have our animals in our lives a short time, really. Having a portrait of them is tribute to the companionship and love they provided. It’s my goal to recreate the beautiful and varied textures of fur and capture the likeness and personality of my sitter. It’s really a thrill to bring it all together and provide a beautiful portrait for the client.” The artist is inspired by a variety of subjects—people, animals, landscapes, florals—and she’s especially captivated by light and the way it reveals the subject. “I am most attracted to a distinct yet soft light, [as] it reveals form so beautifully.” DeVito searches for this type of light or tries her best to recreate it when setting up her sitters.

Grace DeVito, Angora Goat, oil on canvas panel, 9 x 6”

“When I paint portraits I strive to create work that literally breathes,” says Connecticut-based painter Johanne Mangi. “Capturing aliveness is more than shapes, color and edges; it needs to have a freshness and depth of character in order to meet my standards.” She continuously works from life for reference in her artwork and uses her own pets for study and inspiration. “This has been a major ongoing factor in my work. It’s the reason I continue to be excited every day when I’m at the easel. My students also inspire me with their desire to learn and improve. So much to paint and so little time!” Mangi adds that animal portraiture can be timeless and advises collectors to look for artists who have commanding knowledge of the subject, active brushwork and the competent use of light and shadow. “These paintings will have a presence second to none,” she says.

Johanne Mangi, Blenheim Wonder, oil on linen, 10 x 8”; Michelle Delanty, Nala, gouache, 8 x 6”; Michelle Delanty, Duke, gouache on board, 10 x 8”

The award-winning portraits by Michelle Delanty reflect the artist’s ability to capture the sensitive nature of animals, as well as her desire to express the love and depth of their souls in paint. “My paintings are created directly out of my belief that the behavior of our domesticated animals is a message to mankind, related to the very essence of unconditional love,” she reflects. “Each animal has its own story and its own particular relationship with its human family. They are part of the good in this world and impact our lives in many ways. No two stories of pet relationships are the same. I strive to honor all animals, their families and their stories through my paintings.” —