Hi, my name is Fiona Kertesz, a New Zealand pet portrait artist who specialises in fine detail, realistic portraits of pets either in an oil painting or pencil drawing. I have always had a passion for drawing and painting and stumbled on pet portraiture about 10 years ago, simply by seeing a great photograph and I thought I would give it a go. From there on in pet portraiture was born. I have a real passion for painting animals and love the way the paintings and drawings develop and comes to life right in front of you. Its always very exiting to finish a portrait and its really nice to be able to produce something that holds so much meaning and love.

As most pet portrait artists, I have a strong love of animals. It was actually a first career choice. I spent a few years trying to decide on whether to work with animals or go into art and design and studied both. I have a Diploma in Vet Nursing and more recently a Bachelor of Visual Imaging (graphic design and web). While I have worked in the animal field as a Groomer, predominantly art and design won. I have spent a few years as a Graphic Designer, and work part time while also focussing on my pet portrait business.

When I started my Pet Portrait business, I was living in Waikanae Beach on the Kapati Coast, with my two Golden Retrievers, mother and daughter, Nikki and Morgan.  Since then I have lived in Taupo, Raglan and am now back in the Kapiti region, where it all began. I feel so lucky to have lived amongst some of New Zealand's most beautiful scenery, whether it be on the coast or inland.  My beautiful Morgan passed away in 2016, her mother Nikki, who made it to 13, in 2018.  I had Elsa, another Goldie, I got her as a rehome at 4, and had her for 5 special years before she passed from cancer. She too holds a special place in my heart, and both her and Nikki’s portrait will soon be added to Morgan’s. All 3 of them were beautiful souls and I miss them dearly.

After a year of having no pets, I now have two kittens, a tabby called Luna and a black called Vader! I love them to pieces, they certainly keep me entertained and its so lovely having pets again. They are real characters who can get into any space, nowhere is safe! I adopted them about a month apart and they are great pals.

This is 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! The photo of her on my shoulder was her in mid fuzzball fetch frenzy! She also loves being up high and is a fantastic jumper, and will also crawl into some ridiculously small spaces.

This is Vader. He’s my chilled out boy, and a big cuddle bug! Such an easy going cat, who loves burrowing under blankets and into things. Not as agile as Luna, but an amazing climber, he can scale just about anything!

My studio setup.  I have an adjustable drawing table, and two easels, one tabletop and freestanding.  I've been using the freestanding easel more frequently of late.  The funny looking contraption is a daylight lamp.  As I do a lot of my portrait work at night, it really helps with colour correction!   Plus my trusty old stereo in the corner that I just can't part with!

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 such gorgeous girls who have both passed now, and will always hold a special place in my heart.

This is Elsa, she was 5 here.   My beautiful girl, I got her at 4 as a rehome and loved her from the moment she stepped foot in the door.  She passed recently from cancer and is dearly missed.