A Jane Art | Pet Portraiture

About Me

A Jane Art

My name is Amanda Jane, but I’ve always been known as Jane.

I live in New Zealand in a small town in the Manawatu called Ashhurst on a 4 acre Lifestyle block. I love to be outside surrounded by nature and our animals.

We have a black lab who loves to bounce around the garden and will eat anything at any opportunity!
We also have a small flock of sheep and some very cute hens that supply us with eggs.

We have recently acquired an SPCA rescue kitten called Charlie. He is a fluffy grey ball of energy who darts around the place like a torpedo and loves to pounce on your legs!

Charlie

Charlie having a rest after some kitten antics!

Now that my children have flown the nest and stepping back from full time teaching, I have been able to focus my time on my drawing.

I studied art for 5 years after High School and gained my Fine Art degree back in 1990 at De Montfort University in Leicester. Before that I completed a 2 year Art and Design BTEC Diploma at Worcester Technical College. After my degree I went on to train as a Primary school teacher.

I have 3 amazing children and being a teacher was very useful for school holidays! Now I want to refocus on my art which is where my happy place is.

I have done various commission work over the years. Back in the early 2000’s I used to draw the animals at The West Midland Safari Park back in the UK and sell prints of my work in the safari park shop. I loved going out with the keepers so I could take photos of the animals!

One of my most treasured memories is holding a baby lion cub! Something I had always wanted to do. He ended up being the best seller in the shop. I also fed the matriarch elephant with bread, fed the giraffes in the giraffe house, squirted a rhino with a water pistol to get her and her baby up, got close up to lions, tigers and wolves and even got kissed by a sea lion!

AJane Art tools

When we moved to New Zealand I also did the same at Wellington Zoo before returning to the UK for a year and fondly remember feeding the red pandas.

I always donate 10% of my profit on any sales to animal charities. It’s my way of making a small difference to help animals who through no fault of their own are becoming endangered or are in need of support and care.

I love animals and I love art so for me when I’m in front of my drawing board and I can smell the wood of my pencils I’m totally in my happy zone and hours can pass without me noticing. Just me and the image of your pet who I get to know so well with every detail I draw and whose personality and soul sings out through their eyes. I absolutely love to capture the personalities of animals when I draw them and seeing your beloved pet come to life as I draw them is extremely fulfilling.

We love our animals and I will strive to create a drawing of your pet that you will love forever, a treasured portrayal of your adored and loved furry family member.

If you would like to get in touch about a commission for a portrait of your pet please contact me and we can have a chat and I can answer any questions that you may have.

AJane Art tools

Hunter

Wondering when his next meal will be!