Introducing Rani Merens: Special Artist Paints Pet Portraits

| Print | By Jo Singer | March 11, 2009 10:09 AM

My dear friend, Rani Merens is a local artist living in Central Florida and mainly does portrait painting. She possesses an amazing talent for capturing her subject's personality. No matter if she is painting a human or capturing the image of an animal on canvas, Rani brings them to life in an enchanting manner. It seems as if these animals could just leap off the canvas to jump into your lap.

Lexus
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As we were talking about her work the other day, I became keenly of her passion for painting. As our conversation progressed, she shared that she is very excited that recently, she is receiving inquiries and requests to paint portraits of pets on commission. While mainly a human portrait artist she thoroughly loves the challenge of capturing the essence of people's pets.

The eyes of this adorable pooch named Precious, surely speaks to us through the delightful expression on her face. Rani's artistic skill and keen eye clearly demonstrates her love for animals. Her paintings are quite unique as illustrated with the image of Lexus the cat, which she created. Interestingly however, Rani recently informed me that Lexus does not like the painting and avoids it at all cost! Come on Lexus, that is a beautiful portrait.

But that skill is not the only unique quality that she brings to her painting. Overcoming major physical disabilities, Rani is passionate about her gift. By reading the artist's biography below, you may gain further insight into the talent and dedication which Rani brings to her work.

Precious
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"Although I studied art in my teens and early 20s, I put it aside when I got married and had a family, dealing with work and kids and a home.

I always did everything with an artistic eye, from making elaborate cakes for birthdays and Girl Scouts to making art-to-wear clothes for my children to decorating our home with an artistic flair. I became disabled in my 40s and it wasn't till age 51 that I met up with Sandra Wilson at the DeBary Art League where I have started painting in her Special Needs class. I can barely hold a pen to write, but when I am painting, something just seems to go from my heart through my arm and hand to the brush and to the canvas. It amazes me to watch a painting take form and come alive and to know that it came from me! I hope you enjoy my work. And yes, I do take commissions"

VSA arts of Florida's (http://www.vsafl.org/whoweare.php) mission is to create a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate and enjoy the arts. Rani's' work has been exhibited through this organization.

If you are interested in contacting Rani Merens for information or to commission a painting, you can reach her at Ranipaints@aol.com

What are your thoughts about having a portrait painted of your pet? Share your thoughts with us in a comment.

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Comments (9)

Samantha March 11, 2009 4:16 PM

Rani is obviously very talented and Gifted. These two works show a fine detail and beauty. I wish her all the very best in the coming years and much success! :)

Vicki March 11, 2009 4:16 PM

I think it is great to have such a talent. Goodness, if I were to commission her to do a painting of all my animals, I would have no retirement left! But this is beautiful work and I admire her talent.

Janis March 11, 2009 4:25 PM

Wow! Rani is good. I really love the kitty one. You are so talented Rani. :-)

Amy March 12, 2009 4:45 AM

I am very jealous of such wonderful talent. Rani you are amazing.

Ruth from England March 12, 2009 6:09 AM

What a great talent ! We must have thousands of photos of our beautiful cats, past and present, but we don't have a single portrait.

Jud March 12, 2009 10:39 AM

I have had the privilege of seeing some of her other works. Her portrait of the Dalai Lama jumps off the canvas. I am suitably impressed!

Rani March 12, 2009 7:10 PM

Thank you for your kind words. I love animals, especially cats, and it is a joy to paint them. Jo, I must tell you that it is not Lexus who disdains her painting, but Nikey, who is another Ragamuffin I did a portrait of. Lexus knows that she is beautiful and I am sure that she adores her likeness as a tribute to her beauty! Nikey, I think, may view it as competition, hanging on the wall!

Again, thank you for this lovely article and for the kind comments.

Rani

Jean Colson March 13, 2009 8:58 AM

We fellow members of RagaMuffin Purrfection, an online group devoted to our favorite breed of cat, the RagaMuffin, are very familiar with Rani's artistic talents as well as her great admiration of "our" cats as a whole breed. We've seen her work and have gotten to know the woman -- both are WONDERFUL.

Shirl March 13, 2009 10:04 AM

This very talented lady also works with the Literacy program to help those learning to read! What a blessing to have her in our community.

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