“Drawing is a life long passion. It gives me an opportunity to immerse myself into the process and reach for creative fulfillment.”

Traditionally trained in drawing and oil painting as a child, I studied graphic design and photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). After a career in web development and time raising a family, I returned to traditional media and found that the precise nature of botanical specimens fit my drawing style perfectly. Classes at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens introduced me to colored pencils and in 2020 I completed the Society of Botanical Artists Distance Learning Diploma Course (SBA DLDC), joined the American Society of Botanical Art (ASBA) and Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI) and have been actively exhibiting. For a fun side project, I drew my best mate Oliver and then the cat and I haven’t looked back.

People really respond to portraits of their pets and I am happy to spend time working on each lovely companion. Pet portraits are usually drawn from photos, although it is always helpful to meet a subject in person to gain knowledge about their personality and nature of the fur. When possible, I try to take my own photos and select the pose with the client. Portraits are created with top quality artists pencils on acid-free museum quality paper. All of my pieces are drawn free-hand with top quality artists pencils on acid-free museum quality paper. I strive to create a realistic and vibrant representation of your furry friend. For information about ordering a Pet Portrait read through The Process and  Tips for Pet Photos. For information about commissions, please contact me at tamara@betteridgefineart.com or use the contact form here.