Skylah was a beautifully devoted Border Collie cross Maremma who spent many years as a loving companion to Jade's sister. She was incredibly sweet, well-behaved, and calm. Taking her job as a guardian to her family and the other pets very seriously, in her later years she even supported dogs with behavioural issues, helping them to find their calm.
 
This portrait was commissioned by Jade as a heartfelt memorial surprise for her sister. Because her sister moves frequently and enjoys a mobile-home lifestyle, the brief called for an intimate, highly portable piece that could easily travel with her—perfectly suited for a bedside table or the wall of her caravan.

Capturing Skylah's Character

From the reference photos, the clear priority was capturing Skylah's expressive face and sweet, gentle eyes straight-on. Border Collies have wonderfully soulful expressions, and preserving that unique spirit was essential to honouring her memory in the studio.
To reflect the places Skylah best liked to be, her beautiful face was set against a soft, serene ocean backdrop. The seaside setting creates a bright coastal feel, perfectly complementing her gentle nature and providing a peaceful, natural tribute to a much-loved guardian.

Size and Scale

Skylah's portrait was created in the Traditional size: 30 x 30 cm.
For a sister who travels often, this square canvas offers a jewel-like, personal quality. It provides enough room to capture the heartfelt essence of Skylah's character and gentle energy, while remaining perfectly scaled to sit comfortably in a caravan or mobile home without taking up too much space.

Framing

Skylah's portrait was finished in a crisp white custom floating frame.
All Elena Valerie pet portraits come finished in a custom floating frame, ready to hang. For Skylah, the white frame was chosen to perfectly complement the bright, natural coastal feel of the ocean background, bringing a fresh and timeless finish to the piece.

Client Feedback

Upon seeing the finished portrait, Jade's response was immediate:
"... It is beyond perfect! I'm so thrilled with it."

Project Details
 
Subject: Skylah, Border Collie x Maremma
Commission Type: Custom memorial gift pet portrait
Size: Traditional — 30 x 30 cm
Orientation: Square
Medium: Archival oil on canvas
Frame: Custom white floating frame
Background: Serene ocean / seaside setting
Collection: Private collection, Australia
Status: Sold custom commission

A custom pet portrait is created to honour the animal who has shaped your life — their expression, their character, and the details you never want to forget.
Each Elena Valerie pet portrait is painted in archival oils on canvas from your chosen reference photos, with a personal consultation to guide the composition, size, and feeling of the piece.

Every portrait includes:
Archival oil painting on canvas
Personal consultation and reference guidance
Custom floating frame, ready to hang
Complimentary standard shipping within Australia
Lifetime warranty on the longevity of the artwork
Custom frame upgrades may also be discussed if you would like the finished piece to have a stronger statement presence in your home.

To secure a custom oil painting from your photos, submit an inquiry through the studio website. As a specialist pet portrait artist, I work closely with you to transform your memories, your pet's personality, and your favorite setting into a timeless heirloom.