Introducing our 2024 Pet Portrait Winners!
Kids, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced categories judged by Nick Eisele! Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who participated, helping us achieve one of our highest entry counts to date!
"The talent and creativity of this community is awe inspiring. It has been a true privilege to be the judge of this year’s Pet Portrait Competition. It was such a treat sitting down for hours taking in each and every piece of artwork submitted. I have the daunting task of selecting only a small few out of hundreds per category. I hope you will join me in celebrating the winners that have been selected. I encourage each of you to browse through all of the entries. There are so many beautiful works of art that deserve to be seen and cherished. Thank you." - Nick Eisele
Advanced Winners:
1st - $1,000 Cash
Sybiline - Oil
Why: "The power of the feline gaze. Upon seeing this painting, I became completely immersed. A journey into a veiled dimension, coming face to face with a long lost companion. The perfect reunion. Despite my profound experience, the Artist’s design and execution of this painting is beyond superb and I have no doubt they deserve this award."
2nd - $750 Cash
Demos Tsellos - Oil
Why: "Simultaneously bright and moody. I adore the paint handling, confident juicy brush strokes and smokey edges. Very well done with a bold composition. Great job!"
3rd - $500 Cash
Robert Jack - Oil
Why: "Sometimes a painting hits hard and this is one of those times. A very unique use of this year’s panel. The way the subject fully engulfs the space with not a hint of negative space. The pattern and swirl of the snake draws you in as you search for its end. A really cool piece of artwork."
Intermediate Winners:
1st - $500 Cash
Raquel Treichel - Acrylic
Why: "A fun and unique piece with playful elements and a pleasant harmony. I love the decision to use the marbled texture to depict the environment. The painting leaves me guessing the techniques and process used to create this stunning image."
2nd - $250 Cash
Kimberly Strittmater - Watercolor
Why: "A wonderful Art Nouveau design. Beautiful simplification in the drawing enhanced by an intricate design to compliment the shape of the panel. I like to imagine the hidden icons throughout the image describes the personality of the subject."
3rd - $150 Cash
Kaitlin Daly - Acrylic
Why: "An absolutely adorable and humorous homage to this pup! A playful design which frames the subject and highlights their quirks. Keeping the background as the raw wood was a brilliant move to add an extra element of texture and interest. If I ever meet this pup, I'll be sure to bring a handful of blackberries."
Beginner Winners:
1st - $250 Cash
Mj Stoll - Mixed Media
Why: "I want to meet Jelly!! My heart melts at this painting. A creative portrayal of Jelly’s mischievous and playful personality. Beautiful, simple and sweet. Well deserved!"
2nd - $150 Cash
Susan Croy - Mixed Media
Why: "To be honest, I can't tell if this dog is laughing in joy or about to unleash the biggest sneeze the world has ever seen. Whichever it is, I love the idea of both. Making this piece a mixed media painting with the addition of pasting real flowers was a fun choice to push the creativity and narrative of the painting. Well done!"
3rd - $100 Cash
Darcy Baggs - Oil
Why: "As my late instructor once said, the addition of a spot of red makes a painting. Jokes aside, this is a really well done and creative perspective into this cat’s world. The cushion was a fun addition which adds an element to immerse the viewer."
Kids Winners:
1st - Mystery Prize Pack
Hannah Zhang
Why: "A bright and colorful depiction of this marvelous bird! A great use of brush strokes used to enhance the changing lengths and textures of the feathers. The artist should be very proud!"
2nd - Mystery Prize Pack
Charlotte Edwards
Why: "A crazy fun painting, If I stare at it for too long I get dizzy! A great job painting the cat and a creative way to fill the background. Now I must look away, before I am mind-controlled by this furry friend."
3rd - Mystery Prize Pack
Caroline Chavez
Why: "A perfect balance and harmony. These two snuggle bugs warm my soul. I love the theme of balance and it’s a brilliant way to use the shape of the panel to capture your ideas."
FAVORITE DOG
$100 Trekell Gift Certificate
David Vegt - Oil
chosen by Trekell Pro Team Artist Chelsea Leopold
FAVORITE CAT
$100 Trekell Gift Certificate
Karen Bendersky - Oil
chosen by Trekell Pro Team Artist Mallory Hart
FAVORITE "OTHER ANIMAL"
$100 Trekell Gift Certificate
Bella Woytowich
chosen by Trekell Pro Team Artist The Obanoth
PRO TEAM PICKS
Curated Brush Set
Siona Henze - Acrylic
chosen by Trekell Pro Team Artist Lizzy Gass
Ellie Osborne - Watercolor
chosen by Trekell Pro Team artist Victor Roman
Vicki Liu - Acrylic
chosen by Trekell Pro Team artist Alex Garant
Trekell Staff Picks
$25 Trekell Gift Certificate
Courtney - Trekell Owner
Bambi Branchfield - Mixed Media
JoJean Beller - Oil
Ginko Bergel - Mixed Media
Trekell Staff Picks
$25 Trekell Gift Certificate
Nikki - Woodshop
L. Michele Lutzai - Oil
Jessica Talamantes - Drawing/Dry Media
GSC Artwork - Acrylic
Trekell Staff Picks
$25 Trekell Gift Certificate
Andrew - Marketing
Rene Tuohy - Watercolor
Marina Zellers - Acrylic
Alexis Luttrell-Brown - Acrylic
Trekell Staff Picks
$25 Trekell Gift Certificate
Maria - Production Coordinator
Jaci Tormala - Acrylic
Charlotte Allmann - Acrylic
Natalie Wolnik - Oil
Trekell Staff Picks
$25 Trekell Gift Certificate
Katrina - Shipping Dept.
Olivia Cheyenne - Oil
Jessica Piraino - Oil
Annmarie Lobdell - Oil
Trekell Staff Picks
$25 Trekell Gift Certificate
Myca - Customer Service
Darta Lote Berzina - Oil
Chiachen Wang - Oil
Rachel Giwoff - Oil
Congratulations to all the winners! And thank you to everyone who participated. We had such a great time watching all the entries come in and viewing all the amazing artwork. We look forward to doing it again in 2025!