What Makes Art ‘Art’? (And Why Pet Portraits Belong in the Conversation)
Painting What Matters: a Reflection on Winning the Poochibald
When my painting titled Enduring was announced as the 2025 winner of the Poochibald Art Prize, I felt a quiet kind of pride, not just for the painting itself, but for what it represented. It’s a portrait of a dog, yes. But more than that, it’s a portrait of something larger: the love that endures long after words are gone, the look in a dog’s eye that says everything, the way memory lingers in the curve of a neck or the softness of fur. This is where the heart of my art lives.
Image: Winner of Poochibald Art Prize 2025: Rachel Wolfe, Enduring, 2024, oil on board, 20 x 20cm
For some, the term “pet portrait” might still provoke a slight shrug, the kind that dismisses the work as a decorative keepsake, a pretty picture, perhaps, rather than something that belongs on the gallery wall. But here’s the truth, and I say this not defensively but thoughtfully: animal portraiture deserves its place in the fine art conversation. Not as novelty, but as serious, expressive, deeply human work. It’s art that asks questions and stirs feeling.
“... It’s about capturing presence, character, devotion, that intangible relationship between animal and human.”
At its heart, art is a balance of form and feeling. It’s the thoughtful arrangement of the principles and elements of design, but it’s also the emotional impact of expression, interpretation, memory and connection. A still life can evoke nostalgia; a gesture drawing can pulse with energy; a landscape can hold grief. A pet portrait can do all of these things too. A custom dog painting isn’t just about getting the markings right. It’s about capturing presence, character, devotion, that intangible relationship between animal and human. And that’s what I lean into when I paint.
Image: Enduring work in progress in the studio.
Pet portraits hold weight. Not just for the person who commissions them, but for the viewer too. At the Poochibald Art Prize opening, I watched people pause in front of Enduring, many leaning in to view the work closely. They didn’t know the dog, but they felt something. Because the viewer is offering more than a glance, they bring their story and their heart. Art, at its best, holds a mirror and reflects us back to ourselves. It honours what we’ve loved, what we carry, what we hope to hold longer. That emotional connection is what gives portraiture its power and that is why pet portraits matter.
“It honours what we’ve loved, what we carry, what we hope to hold longer.”
So, while I don’t feel the need to justify painting animals, because honestly, they’ve been muses for centuries, I do want to honour it. To say clearly: this is fine art. Whether it’s a watercolour portrait of your golden retriever or an oil painting that explores the emotional terrain of loss through the image of a cat curled in a window. These are the stories of our lives. And what better subject is there for an artist than love?
Image: Rachel Wolfe standing with Enduring at the opening of the Poochibald Art Prize 2025
If you’ve ever considered commissioning an animal artwork, I’d encourage you to think beyond the “picture of a pet.” Think of it as a portrait of a relationship, a memory, a soul. And that, in my eyes, and on my canvas, will always be art.
unique gift idea, pet portrait painting by Rachel Wolfe artist from Hobart, Tasmania
ABOUT THE WRITER
Rachel Wolfe is a pet portrait artist based in Hobart, Tasmania. She specialises in animal art and pet portrait paintings, capturing the unique personality and essence of each pet with a keen eye for detail and a deep love for animals. Rachel offers commissioned works and gift vouchers, making her pet portraits the perfect present for any pet lover.
Rachel is also currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania, further honing her artistic skills and broadening her creative horizons.
To learn more about Rachel's work or to commission a custom pet portrait visit www.endearportraiture.com.au and to learn more about Rachel’s fine arts practice visit www.rachelwolfe.com.au or follow her on social media.
