Every year Trekell Art Supplies hosts a pet portrait competition where they offer a uniquely shaped birch wood panel for artists to use to complete a pet portrait painting for submission into their contest at various levels of proficiency for cash prizes, brush sets, or gift certificates. This is my second year participating, with a portrait of my beloved Bear last year, and one of my baby Stella this year. I was recently notified that I actually won second place in the intermediate category with Stella’s portrait! I’m totally shocked and so pleasantly surprised to have been one of the winner’s picked out of the large array of contestants with their amazing paintings! You can follow this link to their blog post with the full list of other winners here! https://www.trekell.com/blogs/experience/2025-pet-portrait-winners Competition judge Alai Ganuza had this to say about my work: “This one surprised me with the beautiful style that fills up perfectly the panel shape making it a complete and unique piece. Each little hair block has its own smooth gradient that captures the depth so well. And the palette is also perfect for the subject.” Such a cool feeling! I am absolutely elated! Cheers! – Jo