"My goal as a portraitist is to capture on canvas the unique element that makes an animal special." -Michele Amatrula

After graduating Parsons School of Design in the 1980's, Michele Amatrula, has worked consistently as a professional artist. Her work as an illustrator has appeared on book covers, stamps, in magazines, and as limited edition prints. Throughout her career she has painted the portraits of some of the most important figures of the twentieth century.

In 2001, after the near death of her beloved Yorkie, she decided to re-focus her energies entirely to pet portraiture. Michele seeks to illuminate the soul, and capture the essence of what makes the pet special to its owner. Her animal portraits are executed in either oil or graphite. Regardless of the medium, Michele's portraits embody the spirit of their subjects.

"Her ability," to quote S. Roberts of Palm Beach, Florida, "to find the verisimilitude of a pet, is simply breathtaking."

Michele has received commissions from all over the country. She has created portraits of a wide array of pets for many different kinds of people, but there is one thing that all the paintings have in common, they all become part of the family.

She has received a number of accolades in her career including the 2002 and 2003 Artemis Awards, recognition as the best pet artist from "Dan's Paper's" the Hampton's signature weekly in 2004, and most recently, one of her paintings received an award at the 18th Contemporary American Dog Art Competition.