Meet Taylor Halterman | Pet Portrait Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Halterman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor, what do you attribute your success to?
In the time that I’ve been working as a pet portrait artist, I’ve had this incredible opportunity to peek into the relationship between my clients and their pets. Each client comes to me with a story, whether or not they are aware of it. Through their photos, I steal a glimpse into the connection between the pet and the person behind the camera – the owner and lifelong companion. The active engagement, the slight inclination of the head, those eyes eager to please and saturated with love, tell me so much about the relationship of the animal and the client that has commissioned me to capture their companions’ likeness. I truly believe that the most important factor of my success and the success of my brand begins and ends with the love between a person and their pet. My passion and joy for capturing the precious moments and memories of our animals is only fueled by the emotional responses I receive when clients first see their commissioned pieces. Whether it’s a sculpture you can hold in your hand or a portrait that greets you every morning on the wall, the purpose behind my work will forever be to honor and celebrate that bond. My success would be non-existent without all of the time and care my clients have put into cultivating the love story told in the eyes of their pets.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Every artist in existence is uniquely themselves. Their style, their story, and their work are carefully curated as they find their voice as an artist. I think the thing that sets my work apart is, well… me. I have a light hand and have developed a sweet, intimate style over the years. I’m really proud of the way that my work has advanced and I’m excited to see it continue to grow and change in the future. Professionally, I fell into my business by accident many years ago. It definitely wasn’t an easy process and thankfully I’ve had many supportive and helpful hands available to guide me as my business has developed from a happy accident into a career. The biggest lesson that I’ve learned throughout this journey is that it’s never too late and there’s no shame in asking for help. As humans, we are constantly evolving and it’s important to learn something new every day! What I want people to know about myself and my brand is that I deeply care about the work that I produce, and I desperately hope that people derive the same level of joy from viewing my work as I do from creating it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Personally, I spend a lot of time in Wake Forest, NC. Fair warning that I’m incredibly introverted, so my favorite spots in the city tend to be quite quiet and cozy. On any given outing, I like to start with a London Fog from the Wake Forest Coffee Company and pause to take a moment to look at the local art for sale decorating the walls. Speaking of art, there’s a new space downtown called The Makery where artists can create and sell their art, in addition to providing an offering of art classes and a designer curated gallery. I’m excited to join their membership in the very near future! There are so many unique little storefronts and boutiques along South White Street to explore, but the highlight of any outing for me is a trip to Page 158 Books. They’re always incredibly warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and give the absolute best book recommendations (lots of beautiful art books!). Conveniently, Strike & Barrel is next door if you fancy an afternoon or evening of bowling, drinks, and excellent food. I like to visit in the afternoon when it’s a bit quieter. For a fantastic dinner, I couldn’t recommend Farm Table more highly for a cozy, intimate, five star meal. By far my favorite restaurant in Wake Forest! And of course, if you’re in Raleigh, you have to visit the NCMA along with CAM Raleigh for an incredible art experience. There’s no lack of new places to explore and things to see here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a handful of people who deserve a shoutout in my story. Firstly my parents, who have never hesitated in supporting my dreams. Secondly my brother and sister, who are constantly proofing, critiquing, and helping me take my work a step further. And lastly, a tremendous shout out to my partner, Brad, who allowed me to jump into my career headfirst and has faithfully supported and encouraged me every step of the way.

Website: www.haltermanart.com

Instagram: @haltermanart