Amelia Makes Art's photostream

Hello,
My name is Amelia Santiago. I am an animal lover and a passionate artist. My college degree is in painting but I am also a printmaker as well as a fiber artist. I grew up on the Oregon coast but for the past 25 years have lived in Portland, Oregon. I share a home with my wonderful husband, Edgar and two of the sweetest dogs you might ever meet, Leon and Oscar. For the past three years my work has been mainly focused on fiber sculpture and I have made a career out of sculpting portraits of people's pets. Most of my commissions are dogs, but I also have made cats, horses and even rabbits.

When I finished art school in 2004 I was sure that I wanted to pursue a career in painting and show in galleries. Though I do have shows from time to time and I still paint, I have found the ultimate satisfaction in making these wool dog sculptures. It combines my two greatest loves, making art and animals, and it brings me a gratification I never knew I would find to bring happiness to others through my work. I have received so many letters from clients telling me how special they find their sculpture and how much it means to them. I love it and it keeps me inspired to continue making them and grow in my work.

When I am not working in the art studio, I am out and about enjoying my wonderfully creative city. I love to visit all the galleries, street fairs, artwalks and go to readings and see live music. Portland has a slew of amazing coffee roasters, micro breweries and restaurants that we love to try. The outdoor life here is superb as well. You can find me hiking in Forest Park, spending a day at the beach watching my dogs run free or riding my bike through the city. I also love to cook and do it often for my friends. If I love you and you have been to my home, I surely have made you a meal. And if it is summer or fall I have made it from produce I found at my favorite destination, the farmer's market. I love to cook so much that I even make every meal for my dogs!

You can also visit me at www.dogartportraits.com