Hi, I’m Fiona Kertesz — a New Zealand pet portrait artist specialising in fine-detail, realistic portraits in oil and pencil.

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 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. All three were wonderful souls, deeply loved, and their portraits will soon hang together.

After a year without pets, I now share my home with two lively kittens — Luna, a tabby, and Vader, a mischievous little black cat. They keep me endlessly entertained, and it’s wonderful having pets in my life again. They are real characters who can find their way into any space — nowhere is safe!

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.