About Shannon Yelland

Shannon Yelland Pet Portrait Painter Las Vegas

Hi, I’m Shannon Yelland—an acrylic painter in Las Vegas. I paint dogs & cats because they’re family, and because their personalities show up in the tiniest details: a tilt of the head, a soft gaze, the mischief in the eyes. Expect expression, personality, and life.

My style is colorful and graphic, with a designer’s eye for composition. Every portrait is painted by hand from your photos, with one simple goal: to create something that feels like them—and makes you smile every time you walk by it. You can read some kind words from collectors, on my Happy Art Clients page.

I’m also thrilled that one of my Vegas dog portraits was accepted into the Celebrating Life! 2026 Exhibition at Charleston Heights Arts Center — my first formal gallery show that runs from May 29 - Sep 10, 2026.

How I got here:

  • 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.