Terry Zarate -

Custom Cat Portraits

CUSTOM CAT PORTRAITS

I love all animals, but have always had an affinity for cats. Cats have always been in my life. I truly cannot imagine life without them. To say the least, they are very special to me. I cherish those who have gone on ahead, as well as those who are with me now. They have enriched my life so much that I cannot find the words to adequately express it.

Allow me to create a portrait of a cat who has enriched your life. I can craw a beautiful portrait of a cat or cats who live with you now or of those who now live in your heart. Please see examples of my cat portraits in the cat portrait section of my website. I use the traditional black and white fine art of graphite - hard and soft pencils to achieve the results that portray the classic, dramatic, elegant, and timeless quality of a graphite drawing. These are not sketches, but finished works of art with richness and depth executed on a high quality acid-free (to resist yellowing) heavy paper. After completed, I will spray with a fixative and UV coating to help protect your finished piece.

I probably don’t have to tell anyone reading this just how unique cats are. Their grace, elegance, and beauty take my breath away. Maybe that’s why they keep showing up in my paintings. They have a knack of positioning themselves in the best light, near the nicest furniture, knick-knacks, rugs, bed linens, lamps, and pillows. I’m sure that when you hunt for photos or take new ones of your cat to send to me, you will find this.

But, it is more than their beauty and style that appeal to us. It is the way they make us feel warm and loved. They have complex personalities, even though they seem to sleep 23 hours a day. I love drawing and painting cats and I would love to draw your cat. If you give me the privilege of drawing your beloved cat, I will feel honored. Be sure to tell me a little about our cat, so I can think of him/her while I am working. We will develop a kind of relationship and it will make a better drawing. With a beautiful work of art depicting your cat, he or she can be with you always. Unless otherwise requested, I will mount and mat (with quality acid free matboard) each portrait.

As a special added bonus, I will include 10 blank greeting cards with each portrait. Your cat’s portrait will be on the face of beautiful white linen panel cards. Envelopes to match are included. More cards may be ordered if desired. I will keep your information and a file of your portrait in my files for future reference.

A lovely work of art of a cat is also an excellent gift and/or memorial of one you will never forget. It is a lovely gift for anyone who has ever loved a cat.

Getting started:

Send quality photos (email or snail mail). I need at least one good photo - the larger the better – not faded or blurry. One of the photos you send should be large enough to show the eyes well, if possible. If you are not sure about the photos you have, send them and I will tell you if I have enough information to do a good drawing. I may ask for more information if needed. Additional photos may help with important reference information. Note which photo you prefer me to concentrate on. Send the best photos you can. I can work with whatever you have.

Send me as many photos as you think I might need to help me with a portrait of your loved one. If it is complicated or if you have more than one cat you want on a drawing, I will send you an idea of what might work. If you don’t have a clear vision or a photo you would like copied exactly, please allow me to help you with an idea for a composition, placement and position of your cat(s). Specify if you want head and shoulders or the entire cat. I am happy to spend as much time as you need in order to make this a satisfying experience for you. We must be on the same page as far as what you have in mind.

I will treat the photos you send with the utmost care and will return them in the condition received.

Photos should be sharp and well lit. Note whether you want a “hint“ of his or her background or more of his/her surroundings included in the drawing. Remember, your cat is the “star” of this work of art, so it is best to concentrate on him/her. See the drawings I have done as examples for ideas. Protect your photos when you ship them by putting them between pieces of cardboard and marking the envelope “Please handle with care – photos enclosed.” If the photos you send are not sufficient enough for me to do a good drawing, I will let you know and will return them and charge you nothing.

Don’t forget to send a little bit of information about your cat- personality, age, playful, aloof, whether he has gone on or is still with us. I would like to think about him/her while working on the portrait.

Tips for taking a good photograph:

Use natural sunlight

Try to make the background darker or lighter than your cat for contrast. You will get more detail that way. Not too much, if any, background is recommended for your portrait. I believe it makes a better drawing. Your cat is the “star” of the artwork.

Get to your cat’s eye level and shoot straight at your cat, rather than standing and shooting down at him.

Try different pictures and different angles. Choose one or let me choose one for the main reference.

Pricing:

Paper Size Mat Width Mat/Framing Size Price

6 X 9 1 ½” 9” X 12” $150

8 X 11 1 ½” 11” X 14” $185

12 X 16 2” 16” X 20“ $290

10 linen panel cards with a print of your portrait on top with envelopes are included with each order. Additional greeting cards are available for $15/set of 10, $20/set of 20, and $25/set of 30. Shipping will be extra if not shipped with portrait order.

Gift Certificates are available. Please inquire.

Careful packaging and shipping for portrait order is included in the price. All drawings will be shipped insured.

Image size is smaller than paper size to allow white around drawing for aesthetic purposes. These are all standard sizes to make framing easy. Frames in these sizes may be found everywhere.

Please add an additional $50 for each additional cat in the drawing.

There will be a 10% discount on the total order if ordering more than one portrait at a time.

I require a 30% non-refundable deposit (non-refundable after the drawing has been started). A scanned copy of the finished portrait will be emailed to you when it is complete. At that point you will be asked to pay the balance. After it is received, I will ship your finished portrait, the Certificate of Authenticity, Instructions for Care of the finished drawing, and your 10 complimentary greeting cards.

The total amount must be paid before the portrait can be shipped.

I accept Paypal, personal checks or money orders.

A detailed background will be a little additional – please inquire. Most pieces are done with little or no background.

All drawings will be mounted and matted (ready for framing), unless otherwise requested.

All are done on Bristol Board – Plate finish, to get maximum detail – acid free paper to resist yellowing.

Oil paintings are also available on commission. Please inquire regarding details and pricing.

What you get:
     Beautiful classic graphite portrait of your cat
     Certificate of Authenticity - Original art executed on quality acid-free paper and protected with
UV spray
     Each portrait is mounted and matted with quality acid-free matboard and encased in a plastic sleeve to protect it until you can have it framed.
     10 panel cards with envelopes - linen texture (cards have your portrait on the top and open for a message)
     Free shipping and insurance when shipping your portrait

CONTRACT:

Print, fill out, and send with photos and deposit to Terry L. Zarate, 953 MC 6068, Flippin, AR 72634. If using Paypal, pay through them to business account – Zarate Art Enterprises, tlzarate@flippinweb.com.

I require between 3 and 6 weeks to complete a portrait, depending upon work load and complexity of the piece. Many hours are involved in each piece. If you need your portrait by a specific date, please let me know and I will work with you to help you get your portrait in time.

Name________________________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________

Telephone number______________________________________________________________

Email address__________________________________________________________________

Order – please describe in detail - what should be included in portrait, which photo to use, if more than one photo is enclosed____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Additional card order (10 cards and envelopes) included_______________________________________________________________________

Total _________________________________________________________________________

30% non-refundable deposit due____________________________________________________

Balance due after portrait is approved and before portrait can be shipped_______________________________________________________________________

After the portrait has been approved and if using Paypal, you will be sent an email from Paypal requesting your credit/debit card details via their secure ordering facilities. Once I have received notice of payment, the portrait will be shipped.

Special Instructions____________________________________________________________Cat’s name is_______________________________________. He/she is special to me because_______________________________________________________________________________.

The customer agrees to allow the artist to use the finished art as a form of advertising/examples yes___ no___

I NEVER give any information about you, your name, email address, address, telephone number, etc. to anyone. This transaction is just between you and me.

I retain full copyright on all artwork – this is standard for all artists – work may not be reproduced or used in any way, other than to decorate a home or office. It may not be used in any commercial manner without written permission from the artist.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included with each work of art

What to send:
     One good photo like the one you would like me to use and as many others as you think I might need
          (protect your photos when you send them with cardboard around them)
     Personal information about your cat
     Contract - filled out
     30% deposit

Thank you for your order. I look forward to working with you.

Terry

Terry L. Zarate
tlzarate@flippinweb.com