If you love art and you love your pet even more, then Pawcasso Pet Portraits may be the perfect way to bring your two loves together. That is exactly what Sara Conrad did.

A creative spirit, Conrad is no stranger to taking an idea and running with it. She had been going through a dry spell of creativity and hadn't painted for a while. One day she found a photo of a dog that inspired her to grab a brush. She painted it and was happy with the results.

She was so pleased that she started to paint more pets. She even started to sell her creations on E-Bay. Her work was selling and soon people were commissioning her to paint their pets. Pawcasso Pet Portraits emerged in December 2003.

Conrad developed a website and started advertising in Bark Magazine and Fetch Magazine. Modern Dog has even mentioned her as one of the many pet portrait artists across the country. Although she is a local artist, due to here web-based roots, her clientele spans the United States. In fact, the majority of her clients reside in California. Pet lovers in Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina have also enlisted her creative services.

She hopes to develop more local business so that she can actually meet the pets that she paints. No matter if her clients are near or far, her work begins with a photo. "The better the photo, the better the painting," says Conrad. "The most important part of the photo and the painting are the eyes."

When she began the Pawcasso endeavor, she always painted the eyes first, but now she saves them for last. She is not sure how educated artists would feel about her process, as she did not receive formal training. Either way, the pets and pet owners seem pleased with the results as her clientele keeps growing.

"I don't have any formal art training, but I learned how to paint with my grandfather," says Conrad. "It is just something I picked up. I don't have to think about it; it just happens."

The lack of a structured art education has not stopped Conrad from numerous creative endeavors. She is also co-owner of Gaudy Girls, a unique shopping experience of girl glam that can be found at local shops such as J. Bird Boutique.

J. Bird featured Conrad's Pawcasso work during the July 2005 Gallery Night and still has pieces on display until the next Gallery Night in October.

"I have had a ton of people press there faces up to the glass to get a closer look and then come inside specifically to see them," says Jennifer Hemberger of J. Bird. "They are so cute, and they make me giggle. It is such a great take on pop art, and you can't help but smile when you look at them."

Conrad has a habit of turning something she enjoys into a business venture and encourages others to give it a try.

"My advice is to start small and get a fan base. You are not going to be able to sell things at big prices right away. The most important thing is to have fun with it and don't get discouraged."

Colorful and fun, Conrad finds people describe her pet portraits to be of a pop art style, cartoonish and playful. She finds that a fitting style considering her playful subject matter. Clients come to Conrad with a photo and then together they select a color palette that will suit their home. She finds her work to be particularly sought after around the holidays.

"It is not necessarily a need. It is more of a want," admits Conrad. "All I really want is for people to be enjoying my work in their homes."

Pawcasso Pet Portraits' Web site is pawcassoart.com. Contact Conrad at (414) 467-1650. Sizes and prices vary, but capturing the face of your furry friend could be priceless.