WHEN the first UK lockdown cost Megan Elizabeth her job as a horse-riding instructor, she turned her passion for animals into a new career.
With a flair for art, she launched her business as a pet portrait and animal artist in April and it was not long before she was a woman in demand.
Based in Tameside, her custom creations earned her the Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys ‘Donkadoodle National Art Competition in July.
And Megan’s work also caught the eye of The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen, who commissioned her to produce a portrait of her sheepdog Bill.
On why she turned to art after losing her job, Megan said: “I have always loved art and as a child I was always drawing and painting.
“I started to use coloured pencils around 18 months ago and have never looked back! I started to create pet portraits for friends and family and the word soon spread.
“But I really wanted to launch my own business and I never would have had the confidence to go for it if I hadn’t been made redundant in the first lockdown.”
It’s a story that has become more common since the onset of coronavirus, but in Megan’s case redundancy was a blessing in disguise.
Only six months into her new venture Megan, a keen charity fundraiser, found herself shortlisted for The Brook’s first Donkadoodle art competition.
She said: “I never dreamed I would end up winning. It was a great feeling, especially with all of the high-profile artists that had entered.
“To be honest, when I submitted my piece “Best of Friends” I didn’t think much of it until I was contacted by The Brook. Now I sell prints of that picture to help raise money for them.”
She continued: “In some ways, people being at home for longer periods of time was great for me because they’ve had more time to spend with their pets.
“It’s been emotional, in a good way, because I’ve had so much interest from people who want a lasting memento of their best fur friends to put up in their house.
“I just can’t wait for things to go back to normal so I can further promote my brand, and I would love to be able to showcase some of my work at local galleries.”
• If you fancy browsing the galleries or if you’d like more information about a portrait for your pet, visit www.megan-art.com