Karen Sperling’s Art, Photography and Prose

Commissioned digital painting in Corel Painter by Karen Sperling of a French chateau, where a family spends its annual vacation.

Interim steps of digital painting.

Custom Paintings Celebrating the People, Pets & Places You Love

Custom hand-painted portraits and landscapes are a great way to commemorate the special places, pets and people in your life. Whether the painting is based on your own photo, one of mine or something I create from imagination, it'll be a one-of-a-kind work of art you’ll cherish forever.

My paintings come in two flavors: hand-painted digital paintings (no A.I. or filters), printed to canvas and overpainted with oils; and traditional art with oils, acrylics or pastels.

Photographers: I'm also available to paint commissioned paintings based on your photos for your clients.

Why commission a painting?

Photo of Karen Sperling by Angela Chen.

Photographs hold memories, but a painting transforms them into emotion. My clients often tell me they feel something every time they walk past their painting. It brings a sense of warmth, nostalgia and presence that no photo can match.
Let's capture your memories in paint, one brushstroke at a time!

Two Signature Collections

Perfect for:
• Vacation scenes, pets, or sentimental places
• Family homes and vacation memories
• Gifts and special occasions
• Portraits of loved ones or pets
• Meaningful spaces you want to honor in a classic way
• Anniversary gifts

1. The Timeless Traditional Art Collection

Available for special places, pets, landscapes and florals.

Hand-painted originals in traditional oil, pastels or acrylics.
Rich texture. Visible brushwork. The luminous depth that only traditional painting can create. Each piece is painted by hand on professional-quality paper or canvas.
Available sizes: from 8x10" up to 30x40".
Includes: initial consultation, progress updates and final painting.

Hand-painted acrylic pet and horse portrait ornaments based on photos.

If you want a last-minute Christmas gift that will make tails wag and hearts melt, then my hand-painted acrylic pet and horse portrait ornaments are for you.
They’re done in a stylized, expressive way meant to capture the spirit of your pet rather than depict him photorealistically.

Prices range from $50–$175, depending on complexity, and you can have them in time for Christmas, but only while a few spots remain—contact me soon to secure yours.
To commission your custom pet portrait ornament, click here to write to Karen Sperling, attach a source photo you'd like me to use and I'll send you a price quote and we can take it from there.

Traditional oil painting on canvas by Karen Sperling based on her photo.

Client Review

As the benefactor of this, I'm estatic about it. You're very talented, Karen, and I truly appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing your talent with me for what's going to be a lifetime.

-Kenny Lombino

Traditional oil painting on canvas by Karen Sperling from imagination.

Client Review
“Lilacs, Karen, I need lilacs!”
That’s what I told you several weeks ago, when I called to ask you to create a very special birthday present for my girlfriend.
She loves lilacs!
I didn’t have a picture for you to transfer to canvas. I commissioned you to paint an original creation.
We talked about the project at length. You asked many, many questions about her tastes, color and art style preferences…even questions about the décor in her home. We settled on a direction, and you went to work.
The result was fantastic!
Your artistic style, detail and color selections were amazing. I loved it. More importantly, she has an original Karen Sperling…and she loves it!
Thank you!
Joseph Edward

2. The Digital Memories Collection

Available for special places, people, pets, landscapes and florals.

Digitally hand-painted art, delivered as a fine art print.
These fine art digital paintings blend traditional artistry with modern tools. Each work is individually painted by hand in Corel Painter using a Wacom stylus without filters or A.I. with the same care and attention as my traditional artwork. Digital paintings are a great alternative if you love photorealism with the nature of the source photo kept intact.

Available options:
•Fine art print on archival paper or canvas
•Overpainting with acrylics and oil on printed canvas
Available sizes: from 8x10" up to 30x40". Contact me about larger sizes.
Includes: initial consultation, progress updates and final painting.

Digital painting in Corel Painter by Karen Sperling based on a photo by Dogpatch Pet Portraits.
Last minute Christmas idea! Commission Karen Sperling to paint a digital pet portrait for you that you can
print in time for a special Christmas gift! Visit Etsy for details!

Digital painting in Corel Painter by Karen Sperling based on a client-submitted photo.
The painting was printed to canvas and then I hand painted on the printed canvas with acrylics and oils.

Client Review

I attended an Artistry Retreat taught by Karen Sperling and she is an amazing teacher. Her class was organized, relaxed and thorough. I went from a total novice to being able to create wonderful paintings from my photographs.
However, when my granddaughters were to be flower girls at my son's wedding, I knew I had to go to the Master to get stunning results.
Karen Sperling has surpassed all expectations!
She sorted through all of the wedding photos and chose two. We discussed (via email) which to use and the basic look I was hoping for.
The result is a treasured portrait that will make me smile for the rest of my life.
I have a picture of the portrait on my cell phone and share it with everybody I see!
I highly recommend Karen's work—you will not be disappointed.
In addition to being a very talented painter, she is also a very nice lady.
Carolyn Johnson

Why Choose Me

Nowadays, you see hundreds (thousands?) of companies offering painted portraits of pets and people.

There are fewer landscape and floral commissioned painting companies, but they're out there, too.

So why choose an individual artist like me instead of a painting factory or print lab?

One reason is that you'll receive a truly custom-made portrait that is hand painted brushstroke by brushstroke, either with traditional or digital tools.

I don't apply filters, digital effects or use A.I. generators to paint my digital portraits, landscapes and florals. And I don't take a cookie-cutter approach with my traditional oil, acrylics and pastel paintings. I create each painting by hand, one at a time, with the same care and attention I've brought to my work for over 30 years, based on conversations with you about what you'd like to see in your painting.

Another reason to commission a painting from an individual artist is that you have direct communication with your painter, instead of having to go through sales or middlemen. And I'm a phone call away if you prefer to talk to me instead of texting or emailing, though those are fine, too, if they're your preference. When you work with an individual artist, your experience is custom-tailored to you, not governed by a company's rules.

Yes, I'm a little more expensive than the mass-produced options. But what you receive is a one-of-a-kind painting, created by an experienced artist, based on your expressed preferences.

How It Works

1. Email me a photo with the subject of your cherished keepsake painting. In some cases of special places, ideas or items like a vase of flowers, I might be able to paint the artwork without a source photo. 

2. Tell me what makes the place, pet or person special to you.

3. We discuss the details, including materials, size, colors and style.

4. Enjoy your finished painting.

Prices

Commissioned painting fees start at $65 and are determined based upon painting size, complexity and number of subjects. After we discuss the painting and all these factors, you will receive a quote for your specific painting.

Ready to Begin?

If you'd like to commemorate a special place, person, or pet with a one-of-a-kind work of art to cherish forever, click here to email me for details and pricing—a few openings are still available!

Reviews