Rhonda-Lee

Artist Statement

When I was 16 years old I decided I wanted to save animals.

It was with that vision that our family started a small rescue. Over the years I witnessed how truly connected humans are to their pets even in the worse of times.

When I finished my post secondary art program in college I took those life lessons and experiences and started reflecting them in my artwork, hence, my business name "Reflections by Rhonda."

I have drawn hundreds of portraits of peoples beloved pets and have witnessed what a powerful impact these animals have bought upon their owners. This is illustrated when I see the reaction to the pictures I have drawn of their fur family members.

My post secondary training did not stop with art. I went on to study social service work and I have concluded that for me there is no better contribution I can make to another person's quality of life than to draw a picture for them.

I can see a sense of healing in many of these pet owners who have lost their animal and memorialized their beloved pet in the portraits I have done for them.

It is not just in the grieving that I see an impact, but in the positive thoughts that the owners share with me while looking at my sketches of their pet for the very first time. A lot of smiles and a lot of tears.

For me art IS social service work.