Pets Come To Life Thanks To The Beautiful Artsy Of Elf Ceramics

There’s something so magical about pet portraits. Whatever method is used for creating, it grabs any pet lover’s attention when we see pets come to life through artwork. I came across Elf Ceramics’s Purfect Painted Pets division, which features super cute ceramics with people’s pets on them!

According to Emma’s website, her love of pets matched with a passion for pottery helped to fuel her to create Elf Ceramics. She says that,

“It was in my role as Manager for a local pottery painting studio in 2015 where I discovered a passion for ceramic painting, especially pet portrait commissions and from the amazing results I could achieve using translucent & semi opaque underglazes. It was then that the idea for Purfect Painted Pets was created.”

I recently caught up with Emma hoping to feature her cool work on my website, and thankfully she agreed! She tells me that her small business “was created to provide a unique, distinctive and bespoke service specialising in hand-painted pets, portraits and keepsake commissions on ceramic.”

How long have you been painting pets?

I’ve been painting and drawing for over 25 years working within many creative roles and environments and specifically animals & pets since 2015.

 It was in my role as Manager for a local pottery painting studio where I discovered a passion for ceramic painting, especially pet portrait commissions and from the amazing results I could achieve using translucent and semi-opaque underglazes. It was then in 2019 that the idea for Purfect Painted Pets was created.

In 2020 I set up my website —Elfceramics.co.uk—to incorporate Purfect Painted Pets alongside additional services as the company continues to grow develop and evolve.

Do you ship worldwide?

I’m based in Whitley Bay in the UK and ship worldwide using UPS courier service.

How does the process work if someone commissions you to paint their pet?

Here’s how the commission process works:

Step 1: UPLOAD YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOS
All I require are a few clear photographs that best show your pets expression and personality, I’m happy to advise on the composition of your chosen image and will send an initial draft sketch for you to approve.
Step 2: DECIDE ON SIZE & STYLE
Choose your ceramic bisque size and style and whether you require the portrait to be wall hung, with or without a frame or displayed on a wooden stand.
Step 3: CUTENESS GUARANTEED

It’s normally up to three weeks for completion during which I will send a progress update and a final image before glazing and firing and posting.

What is your goal when creating your pet art?

I offer a warm, friendly , professional and reliable service with passionate attention to detail in creating your best memories on ceramic.

If you’re looking for a unique bespoke portrait, keepsake or personal gift to remember special moments, I’m always happy to discuss your requirements to create a beautifully hand-painted memory to treasure always.

What’s something you’d like people to know about the art that you create?

Each portrait is made from at least 20-30 underglazes, these are highly pigmented clay slips that are individually mixed to achieve subtle hues, tones and tints.

I love the challenge of predicting the final colour change as each colour appears much lighter when applied and dried. It’s only when the underglaze fuses with the clear glaze during the kiln firing process that the paint colour deepens and fantastic saturation and vibrancy are revealed. With the magic of kiln firing I can obtain depth, dimension and brilliancy not always obtained in paint, pencil or pastel methods or digitally created art.

If you’d like to see more of the awesome work that Emma creates, don’t forget to check out her website here. You can also keep up with her on Instagram and Facebook, where she shares all her latest work. I’d like to give a special “thank you” to Emma for taking the time to answer my questions, and for allowing me to share her fabulous art with all of the CattitudeDaily readers!

May be an image of dog

All Images Courtesy of Emma Jeyes-Friendship — Elf Ceramics

Was this article helpful?
YesNo