I am Jessica Colwell, the creative force behind the stunning animal portraits and personal artwork showcased in my gallery. I am a self-taught artist who started drawing a variety of classic animated cartoon characters over 30 years ago. While cartoons are fun to draw, I sought to challenge myself further. I progressed from cartoons to more intricate subjects like zoo animals, album covers, dragons, and beyond. As a child, I seized every opportunity to draw, including on brown paper book covers during school. I remember crafting complete artworks that spanned the entire cover. Since then, I have expanded my medium to include charcoal, which quickly became a passion in my early professional work. Although I eventually began using colors with soft pastels, I often returned to the black charcoal I adore for its challenges. Continuously drawing and pushing my boundaries, I've discovered that a variety of art supplies and tools significantly enhance the final piece. My love for free-form creative drawing is matched by my passion for animal drawings. My dogs, who are a big part of my life, support me as they accompany me during my drawing sessions. Their presence brightens my day with slobbery kisses and unconditional love. Inspired by them, I started creating animal portraits in 2015. My first two portraits, drawn entirely in black charcoal, filled me with pride, yet I knew I could improve. With my third portrait, I ventured into full color, learning to adapt my techniques and color choices to capture the essence and personalities of pets, which has been a delightful journey. In this journey, I've embraced flexibility in my techniques and color choices to highlight the unique details and personalities of pets. It's a joy to collaborate with clients to immortalize their cherished pet in a portrait that proudly adorns their home.