A Portrait of Presence: Honouring Bindi's Unseen Aura
This oil portrait honours Bindi, a beautiful girl who was Cathrine’s loyal companion for 14 years. Two years after her passing, the desire to create a lasting tribute remained strong. The commission began not just with a photograph, but with a feeling. "She had an aura you could feel," Cathrine explained. Bindi was the friend who kept her "sane, happy and safe" after her son left home; they were always together. The goal was to create a portrait that captured not just her likeness, but her very essence.
The Challenge: To Paint a Feeling
The true artistic challenge of this commission was to translate a deeply felt, intangible presence onto the canvas. How do you paint an "aura"? The task was to create a piece that resonated with the profound love and companionship of a 14-year bond, offering comfort and a tangible connection to a friend who was deeply missed. It required a gentle, collaborative process to build a shared vision for this incredibly meaningful tribute.
The Process: A Gentle, Artist-Led Collaboration
From the start, the process was a partnership. After patiently guiding Cathrine to find the perfect reference photos, I began to envision the composition. Inspired by the rich colour of a sofa in one of the images, I proposed a regal, warm purple background that would make Bindi's beautiful coat stand out. We decided to keep her collar and name tag—a small, personal detail that anchored her in memory—while removing the distracting lead.
Working on a 40x30cm Classic canvas, every brushstroke was focused on her soulful expression and her sweet white "socks." The final piece, enclosed in a simple, elegant black floating frame chosen by Cathrine, was designed to be a timeless and classic heirloom.
The Reaction: "OMG That's Amazing... Crying Still."
The moment Cathrine saw the finished portrait, her reaction was immediate and deeply emotional, a testament to the connection we had captured:
"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."
This heartfelt response is the highest compliment for a memorial portrait. It affirmed that the painting didn't just look like Bindi, but that it felt like her, bringing back the very presence Cathrine missed so dearly.
This portrait, protected by Australia's only Lifetime Repair Warranty, now has a special place on a wall Cathrine had already prepared for it. It serves as a constant, beautiful reminder of her amazing girl and the aura that will always be felt.
 
Ready to capture your own pet’s unique spirit in a timeless work of art? Contact me today to begin your custom portrait commission!