Custom Pet Portraits  ·  Handcrafted with Love

Your pet deserves to be
remembered forever.

Beautiful, one-of-a-kind portraits that capture the bond you'll always carry — whether your pet is still with you, or lives on in your heart.

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No payment required  ·  Personal follow-up within 24 hours

Handcrafted to Order Living & Memorial Portraits Oil  ·  Acrylic  ·  Digital  ·  Pencil Artist Follow-Up in 24 Hours
Kayla Panaro - Artist

About the Artist

Hi, I'm Kayla —
and I paint from the heart.

I've been painting since I was a little girl. For as long as I can remember, art has been the way I make sense of the world. It's how I feel things, how I express things, and how I connect with people in a way that words never quite could.

Growing up, I was diagnosed with a learning disability. I was told that academics wouldn't come easy for me and that certain doors might not open the way they do for others. For a while, honestly, I believed that. But there was always the paintbrush. Always the canvas. And little by little, art gave me something no classroom ever could. Confidence. Purpose. A voice that was entirely my own.

Pet portraits found me the way the most meaningful things usually do — through loss. When I lost my cat, I didn't know how to hold that grief. So I painted her. It was my first oil portrait of an animal and something shifted in me that I'll never forget. I realized that capturing the soul of a creature who gave you nothing but unconditional love was exactly what I was meant to do.

That's what I bring to every single portrait I create. Not just twenty years of painting experience, but a deep and personal understanding of what it means to love a pet and what it means to lose one. When you trust me with your pet's portrait, I don't take that lightly. I pour everything I have into making sure that when you see it for the first time, you feel them again.

That moment is why I do this.

— Kayla Panaro

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Questions & Answers

Everything you need
to know.

It all starts with a free consultation. After you submit your request, I'll personally reach out within 24 hours to learn about your pet, talk through your vision, and recommend the best medium and size for your portrait. Once we've agreed on everything, I'll get to work. You'll see a sketch before I move into the final piece so we're both aligned before anything is confirmed.
I ask for clear, well-lit photos of your pet — ideally showing their face and capturing their personality. The better the photo, the more I can bring to life in the portrait. For memorial portraits, older photos work beautifully too. Don't worry if you're unsure what works best — I'll guide you through it during your consultation.
It depends on the medium. Digital portraits typically take 3 to 5 weeks. Oil paintings can take anywhere from 3 to 5 months — oil requires time for layering, drying, and detail work that simply can't be rushed. Acrylic and pencil portraits fall somewhere in between depending on size and complexity. During your consultation I'll give you an exact timeline based on what we decide together.
Yes — and this work is especially close to my heart. I started painting pet portraits after losing my own cat, so I understand deeply what it means to want to honor that bond. Every memorial portrait is handled with the utmost care and sensitivity. Your pet's memory deserves to be celebrated beautifully.
Yes, this is something I offer for clients who want a truly intimate remembrance piece. There is an additional cost for this option. You would need to ship the ashes to me, or arrange a drop-off if you're local to the Matawan, New Jersey area. Any remaining ashes will be carefully and safely returned to you once the portrait is complete. This is discussed privately and handled with complete respect during your consultation.
I work in four mediums — Oil Painting, Acrylic, Pencil and Charcoal, and Digital Art. Each has its own character, feel, and price range. If you're not sure which is right for you, don't worry — during your consultation I'll walk you through the options and help you find the one that best fits your vision and budget.
Pricing varies based on the medium, size, and complexity of the portrait. Portraits can range anywhere from $50 to $1,000 and above. Digital art tends to be the most accessible option for those working with a tighter budget, while oil and acrylic paintings are our premium offerings. I never want cost to stand between you and honoring your pet — reach out and we'll find something that works for you.
Yes. Once your consultation is complete and we've agreed on all the details, a 30% deposit is required before I begin your portrait. This deposit covers upfront supply and material costs so I can get started on your piece right away. The remaining balance is due upon completion before delivery or shipping. If you have any questions about payment I'm always happy to talk through it during your consultation.
Yes. For every medium I offer a revision stage after the initial sketch is completed. This is your opportunity to give feedback before the final piece is confirmed and I move forward. Once the sketch is approved and the portrait is finalized, that version is considered complete — so it's important we get it right at that stage together.
Digital portraits are delivered as high resolution files straight to your inbox. For physical paintings I offer three options — shipping anywhere at the customer's expense, free pickup in Matawan, New Jersey, or local delivery within 45 minutes of Matawan for a small transportation fee. We'll sort out whichever works best for you during your consultation.
Simply fill out the short form above and I'll personally reach out within 24 hours. No payment is required to get started — just tell me a little about yourself and I'll take it from there. I can't wait to create something meaningful for you.

Let's Create Something Beautiful

Your pet's story deserves
to live on forever.

Whether you want to celebrate the pet who fills your home with joy, or honor one who left a paw print on your heart — I would be honored to create something meaningful for you.

Request a Free Consultation

No payment required  ·  Personal follow-up within 24 hours