JmurArt in Chesapeake, Virginia
Custom Dog Portraits That Feel Like Them
Turn the look you know by heart into original artwork with color, character, and a little bit of wild energy.
A face you never forget
Make room for the dog who runs the place.
A favorite dog photo carries more than fur and a familiar face. It catches the head tilt before a walk, the serious stare from the end of the couch, the ears that never quite cooperate, or the look that gets them out of trouble every time. Those are the details that make a custom dog portrait feel personal instead of merely decorative.
Joseph Murphy creates original dog portraits through JmurArt, his Chesapeake studio. The work begins with your photo, then moves into his own language of saturated color, layered marks, and graphic energy. The result is made to be recognized immediately by the people who love your dog, while still feeling like a real piece of art with a presence of its own.
More than a photo on the wall
Let their personality set the tone.
Dogs bring a particular kind of life into a home. They greet everyone at the door, sleep in impossible positions, follow the family from room to room, and somehow become part of every ordinary day. A custom portrait gives that presence a permanent place, with enough color and movement to keep the piece from disappearing into the background.
This is a good fit for someone who wants artwork with a point of view. Joseph does not turn every dog into the same polished, neutral image. He looks for the markings, expression, posture, and attitude that make your dog unmistakable, then responds to those details with an expressive visual style that is recognizably JmurArt.
Explore the gallery →A simple place to start
Begin with the photo you keep coming back to.
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Choose the image with the feeling
Start with the photo that makes you say, “That is exactly them.” It can be playful, dignified, goofy, sleepy, or completely unposed. A clear face and visible features help, but the emotional connection matters just as much.
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Share what makes your dog yours
Include a name, a favorite habit, a story, or the reason this portrait matters. Mention whether it is for your home, a gift, or a memorial. Those details give the conversation a center and help Joseph understand what you hope the artwork will hold.
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Talk through the piece directly
Use the inquiry form, email, or phone to connect with Joseph. You can talk about the image, the space where the art may live, and the direction you have in mind before the commission moves forward.
For the dog lover in your life
A personal gift should not feel like a default choice.
A custom dog portrait makes sense when a standard present feels too forgettable. For a birthday, anniversary, adoption-day memory, or new home, it begins with one particular relationship rather than a generic idea of what a dog lover might like. The finished artwork can bring humor, affection, and a familiar face into the room every day.
It can also become a way to remember a dog who is deeply missed. In that case, the best reference is often not the most technically perfect photograph. It is the one that feels like a visit: the expression, posture, or glance that brings them back. If another photo helps show a marking or the color of an eye, share that too. The portrait can begin with the memory that matters most.
Before you reach out, take a look through Joseph's existing work. Notice the color, graphic shapes, and energy. Commissioning an artist works best when their visual point of view is part of what you want to bring home. JmurArt is for people who want their dog remembered with warmth and personality, not reduced to a generic outline.
Choosing your reference photos
One strong photo can start it. A few more can sharpen it.
Pick the image that captures your dog's real expression first. A photo in natural light, with the eyes and face visible, gives a useful foundation. Full-body photos can be helpful when a particular stance or silhouette is part of their personality. Close-ups are useful for a favorite look, especially when the ears, muzzle, or markings tell the story.
Do not worry if the photograph you love is slightly soft, cropped, or taken on an ordinary day. Send it. A second or third image can answer practical questions about coloring or detail, while the first photo keeps the emotional spark. Your best reference is not necessarily the most polished one. It is the one that brings your dog back into the room.
A photo taken at their own eye level can be especially useful because it often shows their expression without flattening it into a quick snapshot from above. Still, there is no need to chase a perfect studio image. The familiar, everyday picture that makes you laugh or catches a quiet moment can be the one that gives the finished portrait its heart, especially when it holds the small detail that nobody else would notice.
Artwork that belongs where you live
Think about the place that needs more of them.
A custom dog portrait can brighten an entryway, anchor a living room, add personality to a home office, or become the first thing you notice when you walk down the hall. Tell Joseph where you picture the piece living and what you want that space to feel like. You do not need to have every answer, but a sense of the room and the mood helps make the first conversation more useful.
The goal is not simply to recreate a photo. It is to make artwork you will want to keep looking at. Your dog's familiar details give it meaning. Joseph's color and expressive treatment give it life on the wall. Together, they make a portrait that can hold a real relationship without becoming precious or predictable.
Start your commission →Start With A Favorite Photo
Give their best look a lasting place.
Share the photo, the story, and the dog who makes your home feel like home.
Start a dog portraitFrequently asked questions
What photo should I use for a custom dog portrait?
Choose a photo that captures the expression, posture, or little detail that feels most like your dog. A clear image is helpful, and extra photos can fill in markings, color, or another angle.
Can a custom dog portrait be a gift?
Yes. A portrait can make a personal gift for a birthday, new home, anniversary, or a dog lover who already has everything. Begin with a favorite photo and the story behind it.
Will the dog portrait be realistic?
Joseph uses your dog's recognizable features as the starting point, then creates an original artwork in his own vivid, expressive style. It is a portrait with personality, not a copied photograph.
How do I begin a custom dog portrait?
Use the JmurArt inquiry form, email a favorite photo, or call the studio. Share your dog's name, the image you love, and anything you want the finished piece to hold.