Hi, I’m Fiona Kertesz — a New Zealand pet portrait and wildlife artist specialising in fine-detail, realism artwork in oil and charcoal.

I’ve always had a passion for drawing and painting, and I stumbled into pet portraiture after seeing a great photograph and deciding to give it a go. From that moment, I was hooked. I love the way an animal slowly comes to life on the canvas or paper — it’s always exciting to finish a portrait knowing it represents so much love and meaning for its owner.

Like most pet portrait artists, I’ve always had a deep love for animals. In fact, it was my original career path. I spent several years deciding whether to work with animals or pursue art and design, and ended up studying both. I hold a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and a Bachelor of Visual Imaging (graphic design and web). I’ve worked in the animal field as a groomer, but ultimately art and design won out. I spent several years as a Graphic Designer while building my portrait business part time.

I’m now a full-time artist with roughly 15 years of pet portrait commissions to my name, and I’m excited to continue these cherished portraits while also growing my practice into wildlife art.

My journey as an artist has travelled with me across some of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions. When I started my business, I lived in Waikanae Beach on the Kāpiti Coast with my two Golden Retrievers, Nikki and her daughter Morgan. Since then I’ve lived in Taupō, Raglan, and eventually returned to the Kāpiti region where it all began. Morgan passed away at 9 in 2016, and Nikki in 2018 at age 13.

Later I adopted Elsa, another Golden, who I had for five special years before losing her to cancer at 9. All three were wonderful souls, deeply loved, and their portraits will soon hang together.

After a year without pets (which I don’t recommend), I now share my home with two lively cats — Luna, a tabby, and Vader, a black. They keep me endlessly entertained and are real characters who can find their way into any space — nowhere is safe!

Meet Luna. My sweet, sassy little lady with big feelings! She is a character. She loves playing fetch and is a better retriever than my Goldies were! She also loves being up high and is a fantastic jumper - she is a bit bigger (and rounder) than her door climbing kitten antics, but it’s barely slowed her down - her agility is amazing.

Meet Vader. He’s my sweet, lively boy, and a big cuddle bug! His favourite thing is having upside down cuddles and belly rubs. Not quite the jumper Luna is, but he makes up for it with his amazing climbing skills!

I've got many great photos of my girls thoughout my website, so I won't bore you with the several thousand more that I have.  They were a mother and daughter team, Morgan (daughter) is in the front, Nikki (mother) at the back.  They were just the sweetest girls, I just adored them. They have both passed now and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Meet Elsa.   My beautiful girl, I got her at 4 as a rehome and loved her from the moment she stepped foot in the door.  One of her favourite things to do when you took her for a walk, if you sat on a rock or a log, or anywhere, she had to come sit with you - she would stay quite happily until you moved - and she was a dog who like to do her own thing at the beach. She was so precious. She’s gone too now, I do miss them all so much!

Pets are truly special — they bring so much joy and comfort into our lives, and leave you feeling incredibly grateful to have them. I’ve been so lucky to share my life with three wonderful golden girls, and now my lovely, lively cats — it really doesn’t get much better than that.