A Portrait of Presence: Painting Bindi's Royal Soul
- Elena Valerie
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Sometimes, a commission is more than just a request for a painting. It’s a quiet hope, an attempt to capture an intangible feeling and hold onto it forever. This is the story of Bindi’s portrait—a story of finding a soul in a faded photograph and transforming a memory into a royal tribute.
The Artist's Challenge: To Paint a Feeling
It all began with a message from Cathrine. She wanted to commission a portrait of her beloved dog, Bindi, who had been her companion for 14 years and had passed away almost two years prior. This was more than just a pet. "She had an aura you could feel," Cathrine wrote. Bindi was her rock, her saviour. My task wasn't just to paint a dog; I needed to capture and convey that aura, that unseen presence, onto the canvas.
But there was a problem. Cathrine explained that all the high-quality photos of Bindi had been lost. All that remained were a few blurry, low-resolution images from a phone. How do you paint a soul when all you have in your hands is its faintest echo?
The Birth of an Idea: Two Photos and a Little Magic
Sifting through what we had, I focused on two photographs. In one, Bindi was lying down with her paws stretched forward. Despite the poor quality, you could clearly see that the tips of her paws were white, as if she were wearing little socks. I loved that detail! It gave Bindi such charm and personality.
In another photo, I spotted a burgundy sofa where Bindi once lay. The deep, rich colour was a perfect harmony with her reddish-brown coat. And then, it hit me. What if I combined these two images?
I opened Photoshop and created a new reference sketch: Bindi, in her pose with the white "socks," set against a luxurious, royal burgundy background. I sent the mock-up to Cathrine, and she loved it. We had found our direction.
The Creative Process: A Royal Transformation
The work on the canvas was pure magic. I took special care rendering her white "socks," creating texture so they would stand out. But the real transformation happened when I began to work on the background. As soon as I applied the first strokes of that deep, purple-toned colour, Bindi was transformed on the canvas. She was no longer just a dog, but a royal. The colour gave her a stature and majesty that I felt perfectly reflected her "aura."
The final touch was a simple black frame. It perfectly accentuated the rich background and Bindi herself, making the entire painting come alive even more.
The Reaction: "OMG, That's Amazing… Still Crying."
When I sent Cathrine the photo of the finished work, her reply came almost immediately and was full of emotion:
"...OMG that's amazing, thank you so much, I do love it, crying still. You've done a beautiful creation of my girl thank you."
In that moment, I knew we had succeeded. This portrait wasn't just an image. It had become a living reminder, a symbol of love that brought back the very presence of her faithful friend. It now hangs on a wall she had prepared for it in advance—an eternal monument to a beautiful soul in royal purple.
Your pet's story deserves to be told, even if the photographs you have are less than perfect. As Bindi's portrait shows, a little bit of magic can transform a faded memory into a timeless work of art. If you're dreaming of a portrait but are unsure about your photos, reach out today and let's explore the possibilities together!
