About The Artist

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Hello, my name is Joey-Lynn Leonelli, and I have spent my entire life drawing realistic animal portraits in pastels.

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I grew up watching my father work as a wildlife artist and designer, and from the time I was a little girl I was fascinated by the quiet way he could bring an animal to life on paper. Sitting beside him, studying the way he observed nature and captured expression, shaped the artist I would eventually become.

Animals have always been at the center of my world. To me they are not simply subjects to paint - they are family, companions, and the quiet souls who share our lives and hearts.

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Each portrait I create is drawn entirely by hand in pastel, built slowly and carefully layer by layer. My goal is never just to capture what an animal looks like, but who they are - the softness in their eyes, the intelligence in their expression, the gentle spirit that the people who love them recognize instantly.

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Many of the portraits I create are deeply meaningful pieces for families honoring a beloved pet.  It is an incredible privilege to be trusted with that responsibility, and I approach every portrait with patience, care, and a genuine love for the animal I am drawing.

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When someone sees their portrait for the first time, there's always a moment where everything else fades - where it stops them completely, and it feels as though their beloved pet is right there with them again. It becomes something they hold close, deeply personal, filled with feeling, and quietly cherished for years to come.