Strike a pose: Artist portraits offer a lasting memory of a beloved pet

Pet portraits have never been so easy to create, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence software that can instantly turn a photo of a cat or dog into anything from a Renaissance nobleperson to a celebrity crooner.However, hand-painted pet portraits are still very much a going concern.The Post talked to four artists whose business is booming, thanks to artistic talent and pet owners who believe only a human can capture the personality of their beloved animal.Ben Lenovitz has been painting pet portraits for eight years and has a regular gig at the home goods store Fishs Eddy in the Flatiron District.

In a studio there, he paints pets from photos, which are mostly submitted to his website.However, he is available in person, first-come, first-served, in the store from 1 to 4p.m.

on Saturdays.He uses acrylic paints in broad brushstrokes, capturing the pet’s personality in an almost cartoonlike way.He paints on cardboard to make the art seem less serious.

Brown is also a good midtone found in many animals’ coats, and contrasts with a light blue background.“I’ve learned over time that every pet is unique, and how to paint fur better, and to focus on the eyes,” Lenovitz, 34, told The Post in January from Thailand, where he was taking a winter break to study ecological communities.“Most dogs have Resting Sad Face, but when their tongues come out, their eyes look super happy.”Lenovitz spends about 40 minutes on a painting.

“I don’t want to overpaint, and some of my best work is done quickly.” He charges $400 for a framed, 22” x 17” portrait of one pet.He’s noticed pet owners are becoming “more obsessed,” especially those who got a dog during COVID, then realized “it gave them a whole new love, it became their priority.”The Battery Park City native never had a pet growing up, and is highly allergic to cats and dogs.“Just their saliva in the air gives me asthma,” Lenovitz said.

“But to their owners, they’re the most ma...