testimonials

"I looked at my dear little cockers one day in the studio and had to paint them. They were so funny! I loved capturing their little expressions........ especially the eyes. I couldn't paint Pinky for a year after he died because every time I thought about him, tears would well up in my eyes........ After I did 'my dogs' other people wanted me to do theirs. That's how I began this wonderful journey that takes me out of the studio and into dogs' lives."

-Linda A. Holt

George

"The portrait you did of George captured so much of what I love about him: his energy, his regal attitude, and the rogue in him. He looks young and vital and the way I want to remember him for always. And it's not just a nice portrait of a family pet, it's a dynamic and wonderful painting full of colour and movement. Thank you very much."

- owner, George

We are so glad we had Linda create a painting of our Cocker Spaniel, "Lucky" - Friends see it on the wall and at first think it's just a lovely work of art - but then they take a 2nd look when they realize it really IS Lucky! We're often asked, 'how could someone so perfectly capture his essence?' We tell them it's because Linda came and visited with Lucky and our family to really get to know his personality before she applied brush to canvas. The whole experience was wonderful - we only wish we'd met Linda sooner!

- owner, Lucky

"The portrait of Holly is beautiful...... full of life..... full of energy...... and a great dose of cuteness.....exactly like dear Holly herself! Great portraits do more than just capture the image of the sitter - they grab yourattention and show you the life of the subject! Linda Holt did just that - her portrait of our dear Holly shows all the spunk and energy of a Norwich Terrier puppy! Linda got it just right - with her use of color, her playful composition and her exuberant brushstrokes - Holly's spirit jumps right off the canvas and into our hearts. It is a portrait that makes us smile!

Many - many thanks!

-owner, Holly

"Not only does Linda paint the dogs.......... she also spends time with them to observe their mannerisms........ she captures their personalities perfectly. In addition to being a fabulous painter, Linda is a animal lover. That combination becomes apparent in the finished portrait...... I surprised my husband with the portraits of our dogs for Christmas and it was his favorite gift!"

-owner, Lily and Vincent

"Linda's portrait captures the very essence of my three dog's souls ...... I asked her to paint it as a surprise for my husband's fiftieth birthday. Upon seeing the portrait for the first time, he could only say, "Oh my God. It's them!" Bentley, a white labrador, Molly, a black labrador-shephard mix, and Chili, a Heinz 57 terrier concoction, have three distinct personalities. You could write a short story about these dogs just by looking at their eyes in this portrait. It hangs in our den where we sit every night. We never tire of looking at it and rediscovering all the nuances......"

-owner, Molly, Bentley and Chili

"Our oldest son loves his painting. He was actually quite speechless when he opened it because he was so touched. He smiled his amazing smile that comes right from the heart.......Our youngest son made sure his portrait of Gen hangs right next to him on the wall by the top bunk where he sleeps. Every night he kisses it & says "Good night, Gen. I love you!" It doesn't get cuter than that. Meanwhile, our daughter is mad at me because I put hers in her bathroom; I'm probably going to have to move it so she can have her right next to her bed while she sleeps, too..........

You really are the "John Singer Sargent of Dog Portraiture" ....... Nobody does it better than you.... The portraits will always be special treasures to our children. We're thrilled to introduce them to painting in such a highly personal way that teaches them to understand the beauty of the art form and the way it evokes the power of love that we all share for our dear Genevieve (and each other as well). It's their first lesson in art history: thank you."

-owner, Genevieve

"Chloe and Flower" was a Xmas gift that brought tears when I opened its wrapped box. The real joy is in Linda's ability to 'catch' the look of the two dogs - their eyes and classic expressions. It captures the personality of our dogs and freezes that on canvas, the mark of a painter who not only has the skills to paint a convincing portrait that resembles its subjects completely, but who also obviously has a real affection for and understanding of dogs and their endearing characteristics.

-owners, Chloe and Flower

I remember your love for animals and how it shows through your paintings. You brought out the sweetness in my little guys in your visits and your paintings.

-owner, Roscoe and Calvin

"Linda Holt’s portrait of my two yellow labs, Bentley and Ketchup, hangs over my desk in the library and is a constant inspiration to the love I feel for these two animals. In this portrait, Bentley was twelve years old, and Ketchup was two years old. I have since lost Bentley, and one of the things I wanted to do was have Linda paint a portrait of her before she passed on. The two dogs were best friends. Bentley taught Ketchup all her wily tricks, so now that I just have Ketchup left; I feel that I have part of Bentley as well. Linda captured the personalities of each dog to a tee. Bentley is lying at Ketchup’s feet after a long walk on the beach in Maine, looking at the world, and Ketchup is standing next to her, posing, as if to say, “Hey Mom, can we go for another walk soon?” Linda caught the tender happiness of Bentley in her older age and the vivacious glee of Bentley as a young dog. Linda is a master of portraying individual personalities in her portraits. Her color tones match each dog perfectly, and the joy on each dog’s face is evidence of Linda’s mastery of her art. I will be forever grateful that I have this portrait of my two dogs."

-owner, Bentley & Ketchup

"Linda presented me with the portrait of my Scottie, Nicky as a birthday present. What a present! I have owned many Scotties in my life time but none had that special heart, that unfailing, quiet, unflinching devotion to me. I think it was because I rescued him as an 8 week old puppy from a pet store on Christmas Eve. He was desperately sick, but I nursed him back to health . We spent 10 very wonderful years together. I lost him to lung cancer 2 years ago and I still and will always grieve for him.

Linda knew Nicky well and she captured his upward gaze so perfectly that I have been known to "well up" from time to time when I look at his portrait. She chose to paint him on our black and white kitchen floor because black dogs need strong contrast. She also painted him from an above perspective, which was very effective, but I think, incredibly difficult. Her talent and her ability to translate an absolutely accurate assessment of Nicky's personality onto canvas was and is a kind of spiritual gift and done without a photo-realist's technique. Linda uses her paints freely and it serves her intuitive interpretations so well.

I can't think of a birthday present that has ever given me so much enduring pleasure. Thank you again, Linda."

-Nicky's Mum

“Several months prior to the passing of Jerrie I took a picture of her in the back seat of my car. I kept the picture to remember her. One day while I was at Linda's house grooming her two cocker spaniels I asked her if she could do a portrait for me. I gave her the picture plus some additional pictures.

Often when we loose a companion we struggle to find ways to memorialize them. The portrait that Linda did for me captured the true essence of Jerrie. Her picture is in our dining room and she watches over us each evening as we enjoy dinner.”

- owner, Jerrie

Other Commissions

Curry		German Shepherds

Linda Holt Studio, Boston, MA