Artist Statement
I am a local San Antonio artist, who grew up with a love for both animals and art. My passion continued to grow as I majored in Animal Sciences at Auburn University and began my art business. As an artist, I initially focused on painting personalized pet portraits and vibrant animal paintings. However, with the expansion of my business into Duchess Train and Crown Portraits, I have found a new level of motivation and sense of clarity within my artistic style.
My passion for creating custom pieces is what encouraged me to become a professional in the first place. When considering a custom piece from me, it is important that my clients know how much time and consideration goes into that particular painting. And with custom pet portraits, people continue to choose me and work with me over the years because I take a unique approach by making it personalized to not only the pet but also the owner. I really try to capture the personality of the animal itself by, for example, using soft colors and a shy expression for a gentle animal, or bold colors and a silly expression for an energetic animal. But then, I go the extra mile by also considering the personality of the owner and their favorite stories about their beloved pet to add an interesting twist to the traditional pet portrait.
Not only does the act of painting bring me incredible joy, but so do the subjects themselves. This is what I seek to bring to those who view and purchase my artwork - happiness. That is also why I gravitate towards painting subjects with personality, timeless themes, and humorous situations. Having painted professionally for close to 15 years now, my signature style has evolved into a mix of traditional and modern, with fun accents squeezed in, wherever I can - like balloon animals, or the random squirrel.
To follow my artistic journey, follow me on Instagram @vchampionart. There you will find daily updates on my latest pieces as well as behind the scenes videos of how they come together!
My passion for creating custom pieces is what encouraged me to become a professional in the first place. When considering a custom piece from me, it is important that my clients know how much time and consideration goes into that particular painting. And with custom pet portraits, people continue to choose me and work with me over the years because I take a unique approach by making it personalized to not only the pet but also the owner. I really try to capture the personality of the animal itself by, for example, using soft colors and a shy expression for a gentle animal, or bold colors and a silly expression for an energetic animal. But then, I go the extra mile by also considering the personality of the owner and their favorite stories about their beloved pet to add an interesting twist to the traditional pet portrait.
Not only does the act of painting bring me incredible joy, but so do the subjects themselves. This is what I seek to bring to those who view and purchase my artwork - happiness. That is also why I gravitate towards painting subjects with personality, timeless themes, and humorous situations. Having painted professionally for close to 15 years now, my signature style has evolved into a mix of traditional and modern, with fun accents squeezed in, wherever I can - like balloon animals, or the random squirrel.
To follow my artistic journey, follow me on Instagram @vchampionart. There you will find daily updates on my latest pieces as well as behind the scenes videos of how they come together!
Artist Bio
Before settling in San Antonio, Tx, I grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and spent my youth competitively riding American Saddlebreds and taking art classes. During this time, I won 3 Silver Keys for a variety of artistic submissions and 1st place in Print Making at the Alabama State Fair. My year in AP Art was spent exploring drastic facial expressions using shadows and varying color schemes in the watercolor medium. I received a 5 out of 5 on my final portfolio before heading to Auburn University.
While pursuing an Animal Sciences degree, I started exploring different artistic subjects and mediums. I was immediately drawn to acrylic paint with it's the fast-drying properties and ease of use. I also fell in love with cows during my academic studies and developed a passion for painting them. Within a year, I started to receive requests for custom pet portraits, and I discovered a new and exciting niche for my artistic repertoire.
As my art evolved, I experimented with most types of mediums. I enjoy adding dimension to my paintings by incorporating glitter, metal leaf, and oil pastels, but my preference for painting still lies heavily within the acrylic medium. My method of painting has also changed - from large, smooth brush strokes, rudimentary subjects, and simplistic compositions to small, precise strokes, detailed subjects, and thoughtful compositions with more deliberate themes.
Over the past 15 years, I have embraced the expansion of the "customizable" side of my business and viewed it as an opportunity to leave my comfort zone . These experiences in different subject matter and style have given me clarity in my longterm artistic goals. I seek to capture a joyous harmony within the balance of traditional and modern. I also hope to reignite an appreciation for the concept of timeless beauty and demonstrate how quickly it can be overlooked in today's fast-paced, consumer-focused society. Lastly, with the addition of lighthearted and somewhat random accents to my work, I want to bring a sense of joy and amusement to our sometimes chaotic everyday life.
While pursuing an Animal Sciences degree, I started exploring different artistic subjects and mediums. I was immediately drawn to acrylic paint with it's the fast-drying properties and ease of use. I also fell in love with cows during my academic studies and developed a passion for painting them. Within a year, I started to receive requests for custom pet portraits, and I discovered a new and exciting niche for my artistic repertoire.
As my art evolved, I experimented with most types of mediums. I enjoy adding dimension to my paintings by incorporating glitter, metal leaf, and oil pastels, but my preference for painting still lies heavily within the acrylic medium. My method of painting has also changed - from large, smooth brush strokes, rudimentary subjects, and simplistic compositions to small, precise strokes, detailed subjects, and thoughtful compositions with more deliberate themes.
Over the past 15 years, I have embraced the expansion of the "customizable" side of my business and viewed it as an opportunity to leave my comfort zone . These experiences in different subject matter and style have given me clarity in my longterm artistic goals. I seek to capture a joyous harmony within the balance of traditional and modern. I also hope to reignite an appreciation for the concept of timeless beauty and demonstrate how quickly it can be overlooked in today's fast-paced, consumer-focused society. Lastly, with the addition of lighthearted and somewhat random accents to my work, I want to bring a sense of joy and amusement to our sometimes chaotic everyday life.
