About the Artist

Michele Amatrula

My goal as a portrait artist is to capture on canvas the unique element that makes an animal special. − Michele Amatrula

Michele Amatrula has worked consistently as a professional artist since completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Parsons School of Design. Her work as an illustrator has appeared on book covers, stamps, in magazines, and as limited edition prints. Throughout her career, she has painted the portraits of some of the most important figures of the twentieth century.

After the near death of her beloved Yorkie, Wolfgar, she realized pet portraiture would be the focus of her career. Michele seeks to illuminate the soul of the animal and capture the essence of the universal owner-pet relationship. What is achieved is nothing less than a family heirloom. Her animal portraits are executed in either oil or graphite. Regardless of the medium, Michele's portraits embody the spirit of their subjects.

Her ability to find the verisimilitude of a pet is simply breathtaking. − S. Roberts of Palm Beach, Florida.

Michele is a truly global artist, having received commissions from pet owners from virtually every continent. She has created portraits of a wide array of animals, but there is one thing that all the portraits have in common: they become imbued with her unique style and ability to "paint the animal" not just simply replicate its image.

She has received a number of citations and awards in her career including the 2002 and 2003 Artemis Awards, recognition as the best pet artist from "Dan's Paper's" the Hampton's signature weekly in 2004, and most recently, one of her paintings received the first place award at the Contemporary American Dog Art Competition.

AWARDS

  • 2006 1st Place American Contemporary Dog Art Competition
  • 2006 Certificate of Excellence, Portrait Society of America's, 8th International Portrait Competition
  • Nora Roth Memorial Award, Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club
  • 2nd Place Drawing Category, Bosque Conservatory of Art
  • 2nd Place-American Contemporary Dog Art Competition
  • 2003 Romance Writers of America Artemis Award
  • 2002 Romance Writers of America Artemis Award