Welcome to the website of fine artist Sarah Moynihan

ALL the proceeds from the sale of portraits on this site now go to a fundraising group called The Laughing Dog which aims to save dogs from being put to sleep by raising money to provide life-saving kennelling and any vet treatments required, which may enable the animal to be re-homed.

The Laughing Dog Mission Statement

The Laughing Dog aims to save dogs from being put to sleep by raising money to provide life-saving kennelling and any vet treatments required, which may enable the animal to be re-homed. We consider all dogs to be of equal value, no matter what age or breed: pedigree or mongrel. As living creatures we believe they have value beyond economic measure. We have a no destruction policy and no healthy dog w ill be put to sleep. While dogs are kenneled we secure places for them with responsible rescues. You can find us on Facebook.

Sarah is a professional, classically trained artist, based in Lancashire. Her main interest is animal and human portraiture. She is versatile in her use of media, working in pencil (graphite), coloured pencil, charcoal, acrylic and clay.

Her aim is to bring out the character and therefore to create a lasting memory of each of her subjects, whatever the medium. It is important to her that the animals which she portrays are kept as valued family members, whether pedigree or mongrel. She happily accepts commissions for all animals, humans and birds. All her art work is accurately observed and detailed. Sarah works from photographs which are returned with the finished piece and can be delivered worldwide. Customer satisfaction is the goal of her work.

Commissioning is an easy process. You can choose a standard size and format from the prices page, or can have something made to your specific requirements - just contact her to discuss the details. If you find yourself short of time you can buy a portrait as a gift voucher and the recipient can decide on which photograph they would like the work of art to be based.

You will be advised on ordering how long an art work will take. Drawings usually take 2-3 weeks, paintings 6 weeks and 6-8 weeks for sculptures, depending on workload.

About Sarah

Sarah Moynihan trained as an artist from 1986-90 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne University and has been working in a variety of media ever since.

Sarah takes pride in offering high quality images which capture the spirit and personality of the subject - whether animal or human. Animals, in particular, have always inspired her work and the idea of creating a lasting memory of an animal friend who is a valued family member has always been her passion.

Sarah’s portraits make ideal gifts for special occasions such as birthadays, anniversaries and Christmas. Sarah produces her works from photographs in pencil (graphite), coloured pencils, charcoal, acrylic paint and clay.

Animals have always been an important part of Sarah's life, from her childhood guinea pigs and family cats and dog, to her present menagerie of two dogs, two cats and two ferrets: all rescued.

Sarah's Ethics

Sarah is vegan so the paper she uses is gelatine free as well as being acid free to prevent fading. Paintings are painted on Winsor and Newton canvases or boards and are free from rabbit skin glue. The paint and pencils used are also free of all animal ingredients and by-products. The fixative is produced by Winsor & Newton who have a non-animal testing policy and is applied manually to charcoal drawings meaning there are no CFC’s involved in the creation of a piece of Sarah’s artwork.

Poppy

Acrylic on board