Mia, a year-old energetic pug living in Curtis Park with her canine portraitist mom, Jennifer Bannon, meets daily with other dogs and dog lovers at the Sierra 2 Green. After chasing balls and running with the pack, Mia leads her mom back to their home, where Jennifer spends the day in her studio painting impressionistic portraits of local pooches.
Growing up in Indiana, Jennifer shared her days with a wide variety of dogs from Saint Bernards to mutts. Jennifer has loved painting her whole life, developing a bold self-taught style. Her early subject matter ranged from bright landscapes and street scenes to softer, more muted floral images.
She retired early to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist. Jennifer moved to the neighborhood in 2016 after marrying Tom Bannon, and is enjoying becoming a part of the Curtis Park artistic community.
Jennifer started on dog portraits when a friend who is blind asked her to donate a painting for Canine Companions for Independence. Her golden lab portrait was a hit, and she decided to focus on dogs from that point forward. Her acrylic paintings bring out the personality of the dogs, with special attention given to their eyes.
Dog lovers can have a portrait created in various sizes. Jennifer finds it easier to work from photos rather that trying to get a dog to sit still for hours. Prices depend on size and composition. People who have lost their pets find a painting by Jennifer a perfect way to memorialize their departed companion.
For those interested in a dog portrait, Jennifer Bannon can be reached at bannonpaints@gmail.com.