Lucia Heffernan’s artistry (previously featured) brings a unique and delightful perspective to the world of animal portraiture. With a background in graphic design and a passion for oil painting, Heffernan creates stunningly realistic portraits of animals placed in human scenarios, a style known as anthropomorphism.
Her work is not just visually appealing but also thought-provoking, as it explores the intersection of animal instinct and human sensibility. Each piece is a whimsical tableau that invites viewers to reflect on the innocence of animals and the complexities of human life. Heffernan’s respect for her subjects and her humorous approach have garnered her a following, with her paintings resonating on an emotional level with a wide audience.
My body of work is an expression and exploration of my lifelong fascination with animals. Through my paintings, I seek to give animals a voice and a personality, while making light of our uniquely human existence. By imagining what animals might do if put in human situations, I stage tableaus that shine a spotlight on both their innocence and raw instinct. This collision between animal and human sensibilities creates a whimsical, theatrical, and often humorous world that viewers can relate to on an emotional level. A graphic designer by trade and an oil painter by design, I am continually experimenting with different styles of contemporary realism that balance my artistic sensibilities, technique, and unique sense of humor. As I evolve, what remains constant is my respect for the animals that inspire me, and my desire to bring a smile to the face of every viewer.
Lucia Heffernan