About Robin Zebley - Pet Dog & Childrens Portrait Artist

  I'm American Artist, Robin Zebley.  I live outside of Philadelphia in a 1920s era bungalow and work in my studio overlooking the branches of a huge sycamore that's full of birds and squirrels.  Our dog Otto enjoys THAT view.  I am a full time artist.  My main interest has been pet portraits, but I also make handpulled woodcarved relief prints andc paintings.  i like to attend workshops and study art history.  My style is realistic with a splash of the looseness and love of color and light of impressionism.  I want my "hand" to be visible all of my work.  Recently, by popular request, I've begun offering childrens portraits.  How much fun is that?   

I've been drawing pet portraits for over 8 years for clients all over the US and in the UK.  I work the "old fashioned" way.  Everything I do is freehand because I feel that allows me to "pick up" your pet's personality and put my heart and soul into a work of art that's truly unique and meaningful for you. I never use photoshop or any other computer generated program to manipulate your photos.

I know how precious your pet is, our Otto is so precious to us!  And bringing your dog, cat or horse's personality and character to life in a one of a kind work of art is what I love to do.

My favorite medium for portraits has been professional grade colored pencils.  I love them for their vibrant colors, versatility and the incredible detail possible with them.  I can literally draw a whisker, a toenail, the light in her eye, in full color.  I push the medium to get the look of an oil painting but with way more detail.  Because it's the details that make it really personal.  Same thing with kids, those little nuances make a BIG difference in catching their unique personality!  I've been working recently in acrylics on canvas, still the same style and detail, but a little more painterly!

I enjoy helping others - I am a Docent for American Artist Magazine's online forum and a Guide for The Artist Magazine's online forum.  I donate a limited number of portraits and woodcut prints to rescues every year for their fundraising efforts and provide bookmarks featuring my dog artwork with dog quotes to numerous others.  I also enjoy "talking dog" online, including at http://dogforum.com

I have been honored:

• September, 2009 - Woodcut Print "Goin' Mobile" has been placed in the woodcut print archives collection of The University of Kentucky Museum of Art in Lexington, Kentucky.
• Spring, 2009 -Printmaking Award Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA for "Kensington", full sized feral cat woodblock print.

June, 2006 - "Best of Show As Voted by the Public" in 2006, Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA.

 There's no greater honor to me, though, than painting a portrait of a beloved family member...human or four legged!

 Do you have a question or comment? Email me at RobinZebleyArtist@google.com or call me, Robin, at 610-220-8053.  I appreciate your visiting my site today and would love if you would pass on my site to anyone you think might be interesting in seeing my work.  I depend on word of mouth and support of great people all over the world!  Robin