About Shannon Yelland

Hi, I’m Shannon Yelland—an acrylic painter in Las Vegas. I paint dogs and cats because they’re family, and because their personalities show up in the tiniest details: a certain tilt of the head, a soft gaze, the mischief in the eyes. I also cat- and dog-sit through TrustedHousesitters, and the bonds I form with animals absolutely fuel my portrait work. Expect expression, personality, and life.

My style is colorful and graphic, with a designer’s attention to composition. Every portrait is painted by hand from your photos, and my goal is simple: to make something that feels like them—and makes you smile every time you walk by it. I also paint a small number of other kinds of original works.

How I got here (and why it matters)

  • Design roots: I began in the early 2000s studying graphic design and building brand identities—logos, print systems, and digital assets. Photoshop and line art were my happy place.
  • Web & marketing years: That foundation pulled me into web design. I learned how visuals guide attention, how messages land, and how to be clear and intentional.
  • The analytics lens: As a digital analyst, I got even sharper about process, iteration, and craftsmanship—skills I bring to every canvas.
  • Fine art training: From 2005–2007, while living in Vancouver, Canada, I studied at Emily Carr (certificate program), exploring multiple mediums and deepening my studio practice. Since then I’ve kept learning—gallery and museum visits wherever I travel, and painting classes at UNLV—with acrylics as my first love and constant companion.

All of that work—design discipline, web problem-solving, marketing clarity, and fine-art study—shows up in my paintings: strong composition, honest color, and pieces built to last.

What I paint

  • Commission pet portraits (dogs and cats). Expect expression, personality, and life.

The Process

I take on a handful of commissions each year, here’s the process:

  • Quick chat: Tell me who/what you’d like painted, size, vibe, and where it will live.
  • Photos & references: You share your favorite images (I’ll guide you on what works best).
  • Sketch & palette: I propose a composition and color direction for your approval.
  • Paint & progress: I paint in acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas; I’ll share one progress check.
  • Finish & seal: Varnished for protection and ready to hang. Local delivery in Las Vegas or safely shipped within the USA.

Common sizes: 6x6, 8x8, 11x14, 12x12, 16x20, 18x24, 24x24, 24x36, 36x36 (custom sizes welcome).

Timeline: Typically 3–6 weeks depending on size and complexity.

Materials & quality

  • Professional-grade acrylics on archival, gallery-wrapped canvas
  • UV-protective varnish for color depth and durability
  • Wired and ready to hang, with care instructions included

My promise

I’m in love with the act of creating—and I’m committed to evolving. There are paintings I haven’t met yet, techniques I haven’t tried, and color stories I haven’t told… and that’s the magic. If a piece of mine finds a home with you—whether an original, a commission, or a print—I want it to feel like it was always meant to live in your space.

Let’s create something together

  • Commission inquiries: Tell me about your pet (dog or cat)
  • Available work: Browse current originals and prints.
  • Say hi: I’m always up for talking palettes, process, and possibilities.

Thank you for visiting shannonyelland.com—and for supporting original art.