CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Many of us truly love our pets, and there's a Chicago artist who actually captures them on paper.
Laura Gannarelli's pet portraits were on display at a recent art street festival not far from Millennium Park.
She uses photos of furry friends and creates beautiful works of art, using her unique Japanese sumi-style painting technique.
Gannarelli told WBBM she'll choose a photo of the dog, cat, horse, or whatever it might be that speaks to her as an artist, which means the final product can be a surprise even to the pet owner.
She describes pets as family.
"That's why I'm really painting the journey of you and your pet becoming a forever family. And that's what the emotions are here, and they should be art. And having them on your wall, you should have something that brings you joy," Gannarelli said,
"This artwork is a journey, pathway for you to enter into all the portals, all those wonderful moments you've had with your pet."
Many curious onlookers passed by Gannarelli's display.
"Each one (pet) is different, so I know the names of every single pet that I've painted the last seven years. I've painted over ninety portraits and I remember all the names, but I don't remember all the people's names!" she said with a laugh.
"Because their personalities are so great and people tell me such amazing stories of how they are truly seen as a part of the family."
Gannarelli also does 'remembrance portraits' of pets that have passed away."
She is based in Chicago, but has customers all over the world. Gannarelli has done portraits for people in Germany and recently for a family in Israel.
Gannarelli's work can be seen here:
https://www.youngi-sumistylepets.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/youngi_sumistylepets/.
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