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Commissioned Artwork · Los Angeles

Pet portraits and custom paintings, hand-painted in LA.

When I'm not teaching, I'm painting. I take a small number of commissions each year — mostly pet portraits, some family portraits, occasional larger custom work. My style draws on the Spanish realist tradition I trained in, with influences from contemporary portraiture.

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Elena Marmol smiling next to a freshly finished blue dog portrait

What I paint

Mostly pets. Sometimes people. Always handmade.

  • Pet portraitsThe bulk of my commissioned work. Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, parrots — a single subject on canvas in acrylic or oil. From your photo, in your subject's personality.
  • Family or human portraitsSingles, pairs, small groups. Photo-sourced or sittings if you're local. These take longer than pet pieces and price accordingly.
  • Custom paintingsA favorite landscape, a memory of a place, a still life of meaningful objects. If you can describe it, we can plan it.
  • Memorial piecesPet and family memorials are some of my proudest work. Even older or imperfect reference photos can become beautiful paintings.

How it works

  1. 1

    Send a photo

    A high-quality reference photo of your subject — outdoor light is ideal. Plus the size you have in mind.

  2. 2

    Get a quote

    Within 48 hours I'll send a quote with size options, timeline, and a 50% deposit invoice to lock in the slot.

  3. 3

    Sketch + mid-progress check-in

    You'll see a composition sketch and a mid-progress photo. We can adjust details, colors, or framing at either point.

  4. 4

    Delivery

    Final piece is delivered locally in LA, or shipped in custom packaging. Balance due on delivery.

About pricing

Custom-quoted, transparent.

Each piece is quoted based on size, subject complexity, and timeline. As a rough guide:

  • 8×10 acrylic — from $300 (most pet portraits)
  • 11×14 acrylic — from $500
  • 16×20 acrylic — from $850
  • Larger / multi-subject / oil — quoted on request

50% deposit secures your slot. Balance due on delivery. Local LA delivery included; shipping quoted at cost. Send your photo and I'll have a quote back within 48 hours.

Have a kid who loves their pet? Pet Pals art parties let kids paint their own pet portrait — taught using the same techniques I use in my commissioned work.

Other ways to work with Elena

Portfolio

Browse a selection of Elena's commissioned and personal work.

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Pet Pals Art Parties

Have kids? Pet Pals parties let them paint their own pet portraits, taught with the same techniques.

Learn more

About Elena

Read about Elena's training in the Spanish realist tradition and her approach to commissioned work.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

What types of commissions do you take?
Pet portraits (the most common — dogs, cats, horses, rabbits), family or human portraits, single-subject custom paintings, and occasional larger pieces or commemorative artwork. If you have an idea, ask.
How does pricing work?
Each piece is quoted based on size, complexity, and timeline. Pet portraits typically start around $300 for an 8x10 and scale up from there. Send a photo and your size/timing in mind, and I'll send a quote within 48 hours.
How long does a commission take?
Standard turnaround is 3–5 weeks from photo approval to finished piece. Holiday and Mother's Day timelines book up early — for December delivery, I recommend booking by early November.
What do you need from me to get started?
A high-quality photo of your subject (taken outdoors in good light is ideal), the size you have in mind, and any context you want me to know — favorite toys, personality, anything that should come through in the painting.
Can I see the painting before it's finished?
Yes — you'll see a sketch and a mid-progress photo before final touches. We can adjust composition, color, or details at those checkpoints.
What medium do you paint in?
Acrylic on stretched canvas is my default for pet portraits — it's durable, vibrant, and frame-ready. Oil is available for portraits that benefit from longer working time. For very small pieces or watercolor-style requests, just ask.
Do you ship?
Yes — I ship across the US. Local LA delivery is included; shipping outside California is quoted at cost. Pieces ship in custom-fit boxes.
Do you take memorial commissions?
Often. Memorial pet portraits are some of the work I'm proudest of. Send the best photo you have — even imperfect older photos can become beautiful paintings.

Request a commission

Send a photo of your subject and the size you have in mind. I'll come back within 48 hours with a quote, timeline, and a deposit invoice.

Send a Photo

Or reach out directly: elenamarmolbaena@gmail.com · (747) 329-0774