The Matisse of pet portraiture: artist Jay McClellan

Vibrant colors meet graphic prints in Jay McClellan’s Henri Matisse-inspired pet portraits. These large-scale works put McClellan’s dedication to the human-pet connection at the forefront, capturing the essence of each dog and cat he paints. The artist’s deep devotion to his furry subjects extends beyond the canvas through his non-profit, Benevolent Hound, which raises money and awareness to help pets in need. We sat down with the Philadelphia-based McClellan, whose work hangs in the NYC Fetch office, to talk all things pets, creativity and connection.

Fetch: Your joyful, vivid artwork of dogs showcases your deep connection with pets. When did that connection start for you?

Jay McClellan: In my late teens, I got two puppies: Tip and Honey. My mother was sick with cancer, so I invested my emotional energy into those two. They were my first real bond with animals and helped me move through several hard times and big events of my life. I love hounds. I’ve only had hounds — mixed-breed hounds or coonhounds or, now, a bloodhound.

Fetch: What is it about dogs that you love so much?

Jay McClellan: I like that you can put a lot on their shoulders — a lot of emotional stuff — and they’re always there for you. All the moments with Tip and Honey were special. Tip was exceptional. He acted more human and was more interested in what I was doing and what I was eating, always by my side.

Fetch: It sounds like your dogs have been a big part of your personal healing. How have they been a part of your emotional journey?

Jay McClellan: They’re a part of the healing process for sure. They’re there in life, they’re a companion, they’re there for the ups and downs. They’re gonna be there when you’re at your lowest and they’re gonna be there when you’re at your highest. It can be a very satisfying relationship to have that companionship and know that you can lean on them.

Fetch: Your paintings have a distinct, graphic look that’s instantly recognizable. How did you develop this signature artistic style?

Jay McClellan: In art school, I was processing the loss of my mother, doing drawings and paintings of modern furniture. A professor suggested: “Why don’t you focus on something more positive?” Someone had given me a book of antique wallpaper, from the 1940s, so I started drawing Tip and Honey and collaging the wallpaper in the background. My artwork had always been bold, graphic and decorative, kind of in the style of Henri Matisse. I did 50 or 60 attempts just trying to work through the idea and ended up liking where that was going, then I started doing other work based on that. 

Fetch: Now, this style is your core output. What led you to start doing commissions of dogs for pet parents?

Jay McClellan: In grad school, I had a show, and people would say to me: “I like your work, but I’d rather have my dog in that environment.” So I started doing commissions, and I’ve been doing that for 17 years now.

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Fetch: What are your key sources of inspiration for your work?

Jay McClellan: My inspiration is the relationships that I make with the people I’m doing work for. I meet new people, I meet new animals. They’re not making a financial investment with me — they’re making a sentimental investment with me. Hopefully this painting that they’re bringing into their life is something that will be there after the animal is gone.

Fetch: Can you describe how you capture the essence of the dogs you paint?

Jay McClellan: I try to bring out the personality of the dog and the relationship between the dog and the parent. If it’s possible, I like to get my hands on the dog and play with the dog in the environment — see how the parent and the dog react together. A client is always involved with my process. It’s not like someone just calls me up and says, “Hey, I want a painting,” and I turn around and paint it and give it to them. There’re drawings, there’s back-and-forth about pattern, about color, about composition. I hand-draw the dogs and then the background of the pattern. The client picks which drawing they like, and that’s how we move forward. 

Fetch: What do you remember about how clients react when you unveil the paintings of their dogs?

Jay McClellan: Most of the time they’re happy. I’ve never had anyone be mad. Some people get emotional. But most of the time it’s just happiness. They’re glad to get it and hang it and do all that stuff.

Fetch: During the COVID-19 pandemic, you started a nonprofit, Benevolent Hound, that pairs artists with nonprofits so that both parties benefit. What’s the latest Benevolent Hound project?

Jay McClellan: I’m working on a coloring book project with the Providence Animal Center, where people can donate $250 to have their dog or cat appear in the coloring book and receive a hand-colored drawing, as well. We did a similar project for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which fights childhood cancer and raised more than $35,000. 

Fetch: Benevolent Hound has helped animals by funding shelters. What would you suggest everyone out there could do to help make a difference with animals?

Jay McClellan: Bringing an animal into your family is the first step. You’re making that animal’s life better and you’re improving your family life. It’s also good to be aware of what’s going on with the shelters. There’s a lot of influx right now, there’s a lot of people bringing animals back to the shelter after Covid, so there’s always work and volunteering that needs to be done with those animals. 

Fetch: You’re busy painting other dogs, but do you find time to paint your own dogs these days?

Jay McClellan: We’ve got Biscuit right now. He’s a pretty big bloodhound, about 15-months old. I’ve done a small painting of him so far. I’ll be doing some personal work for an upcoming hospital show, so I’ll be painting all my dogs again.

Fetch: You’ve painted so many dogs, but what’s a breed you haven’t yet painted that you’d love to?

Jay McClellan: One dog I’ve kind of had my eye set on — also because I want to have this dog — is a longhaired pointer. I like the scruffiness. Tip was scruffy, he had long hair on his face and body. I really liked that, and I’ve always wanted that in another dog.

If you’re interested in commissioning a pet portrait from artist Jay McClellan, you can contact him here. To learn more about Benevolent Hound, click here. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.