My Story
Every portrait begins with your story. Here is mine.
I am Elena.
I grew up drawing the family cats. Studied fine art at RISD. Spent years doing editorial illustration in Brooklyn. Moved to Portland with my border collie, Maren.
Maren was my studio companion for fourteen years. She slept under my desk while I worked, followed me to every room, and made everything better just by being in it.
When she passed in spring 2023, I had thousands of photos on my phone and not one of them felt like enough. So I sat down and painted her. From memory. From photographs. From the way she tilted her head when she thought a walk was happening.
I got her eyes wrong four times. Nearly gave up twice. But when I finally got them right, something clicked. It felt like she was looking at me again.
That portrait hangs in my hallway now. I still say good morning to it every day.
How It Became a Studio
A friend saw the portrait and asked me to make one of her golden retriever, Bear. Then her neighbour asked. Then a stranger on Instagram asked. Within months I had a waitlist and a name.
I never planned to start a business. I just wanted to remember my dog. Now I get to help other people remember theirs.
I do not outsource, I do not batch, and I do not rush. That is why I cap commissions each month. Every portrait gets my full attention.
How It Works
Three steps. That is it.
Send Your Photos
Send me your favorite photos and tell me about them. Their name, their personality, the thing only you would notice. I pick the one with the best light, the best expression, the best version of them.
I Compose Your Portrait
I use digital tools to build the foundation, then spend the real time on refinement. The composition, the color balance, the eyes, the fur markings. Every portrait gets over an hour of my individual attention.
Printed and Delivered
Your approved portrait is printed on museum-quality canvas using 12-color giclee technology. Delivered in premium packaging with a handwritten memorial card. Most commissions are completed within 2-3 weeks from submission to delivery.
What You Get
I want to be clear about exactly what each tier is. No surprises.
Standard
From $99
- Museum-quality giclee canvas print
- 12-color printing, archival materials
- Personally composed and refined by me
- Digital proof with unlimited revisions
- Premium packaging with memorial card
Premium
$179
- Everything in Standard
- Richer painterly texture and a more finished surface
- Built from the approved proof, then hand-finished for depth
- UV-resistant protective coating
Heirloom
$349
- Everything in Premium
- Hand-painted acrylic highlights on eyes, nose, key details
- Expanded finishing and fine-detail handwork
- The closest tier to an original painting
Want a Fully Hand-Painted Original?
For those who want a one-of-a-kind original painting, I also take a limited number of full hand-painting commissions each year.
These are painted entirely by hand on canvas. No print base. Just paint, brushes, and time. They take significantly longer and are priced individually based on size and complexity.
If this is what you are looking for, email me directly and I can talk you through it.
Every Detail Matters
- •Archival Materials - Museum-grade canvas and inks rated for 200+ years.
- •Personally Composed - Every portrait gets my full attention. No outsourcing.
- •Revisions Included - Unlimited revisions until you are completely satisfied.
- •Premium Packaging - Gallery-wrapped, handwritten memorial card, certificate of authenticity.
“The Final Sitting exists because of a border collie named Maren who made everything better just by being in the room.”
Elena Voss, Founder