Introducing...Terry Albert

I love animals and always have. What is different about me is that I have hands–on experience with hundreds of breeds of dogs- as a dog trainer, a foster home for various breeds, pet sitting and now boarding dogs in my home. It is this personal experience I put into my art, my writing, and everything I do. 

My art

In selecting the pose, the toys, and the expression, I use what I know about the individual animal and its breed to capture the essence. I ask the owner to tell me about their pet, so I can envision his or her personality. My clients recognize their own pet immediately in my paintings. They value that it is a painting of THEIR pet, not just anyone’s. If they are not overwhelmed when they see the final work, I am disappointed. This is the part I enjoy most about my art – making that personal connection with the person who commissioned the piece and knowing I have made something very special for them.

I have owned cats all of my life, and cared for hundreds more as a pet sitter. For the past 20 years I have owned horses of several breeds, and cared for many more. I have taken hundreds of reference photos, mostly of animals in action or casual poses, not formally posed. That’s when you see who they really are – not just a collie, but for example, Lucky, Roberta's cat. I have researched and learned all that I can about animals of many species, from dogs to horses, birds to turtles. I learn every day as I sit and watch the animals around me in action and try to capture that in my art.

Another love of mine is gardening, and I often incorporate flowers and vibrant color into my artwork. Animals are usually earth colors – browns and blacks (unless you are painting fish, insects or birds) – and the addition of flowers to any painting makes it come alive with color.

My mother was an oil painter, and I first seriously studied painting by going to classes with her. While I was still in high school, we did shopping mall art shows together. 25 years after she died, I still use her easel to do my pastels, and her A-frames to display my work at shows. I still have her paint box and oil paints. Thanks Mom, for encouraging my art. See my art.

My writing

I earned a minor in English in college, and since then my interest in writing has continued. My grandfathers both were great storytellers; maybe I inherited that love from them.

During my retail advertising career at Builder Emporium, I wrote advertising copy, training manuals, press releases and educational materials. I wrote the employee newsletter, Chain Links, and edited the home improvement newsletter, The Pop Larsen Newsletter. In recent years, my focus on animals has led me to writing assignments from the Delta Society, Petco, and most recently an upcoming book for Howell Book House, which will be published in December, 2008. I am also a member of the Dogwriters Association of America. Learn more.

Web Site and Graphic Design

As Art Director for Builders Emporium and then Pep Boys, I gained a lot of experience in graphic design. Today, I use these skills in custom web site design for small businesses. In addition, my graphic design projects include logos, t-shirts designs, and assorted printed materials. Although many of my projects are pet related, I also do work for other industries too! See samples.

Pet Sitting

Last, but certainly not least, I have operated Poway Pet Care, my pet sitting business, for over 10 years. Before that, I was pet sitting In Issaquah, Washington for 5 years. I make daily visits to clients’ homes and also board dogs in my own home, where they live as members of the family, not in kennels. I have over 75 regular customers, and consider them my friends as well as clients. Read more and see photos.