Elke Winterschlade, a 60-year-old artist from Kierspe, Germany, has dedicated her artistic talents to creating detailed pet portraits that capture the character and essence of animals in ways that photographs simply cannot. Working from her quiet studio in a historic building once owned by the Bremicker family, Winterschlade has found her niche in a growing market of pet owners seeking lasting artistic tributes to their beloved companions.
Seated just meters away from the bustling Friedrich-Ebert-Straße, where afternoon traffic and school buses create typical midday chaos, Winterschlade works in complete concentration. "When I'm really absorbed in the image, I don't even hear the doorbell ring," she explains while working on a portrait of a French Bulldog whose dark, dreamy eyes gaze at her from both her computer screen and drawing pad. Her meticulous process involves studying reference photos, making careful pencil strokes, and pausing frequently to ensure she captures the animal's unique personality.
The Wipperfürth native has specialized in this art form for many years, receiving approximately ten commissioned works annually. While she admits she would gladly create more portraits, it's clear that financial gain isn't her primary motivation – her prices range from $55 to $130 per drawing. "My drive isn't money; it's passion," Winterschlade emphasizes, and this becomes evident to anyone observing her careful, methodical approach to each piece.
Winterschlade's artistic foundation comes from an impressive family legacy. Her grandfather, Wilhelm Winterschlade (1908-1994), was a prominent graphic designer of the New Objectivity movement, known for his clean, strict forms that departed from the ornate advertising banners of the Imperial era. He designed Wuppertal's city coat of arms in 1931 and later created the famous logo for the Solingen company Zwilling. Tragically, his artistic career ended when he returned from World War II battlefields blinded. "I am endlessly grateful for the experience he passed on to me," Elke says of her grandfather's influence.
Despite her artistic inclinations from childhood, Winterschlade initially followed a conventional path, training as a savings bank specialist in Remscheid-Lennep after school. "Something practical, as was customary then," she laughs. However, art never released its hold on her, and after various professional stations, she began focusing more intensively on her artistic pursuits from 2008 onward, eventually enrolling at the Ruhr University Bochum.
Like her grandfather, Winterschlade initially preferred creating images with minimal materials, though her focus was abstract painting rather than graphics. Portrait work has always been her passion, though she regrets that this art form has what she calls a "dusty image" in contemporary society. Her approach goes beyond mere visual representation – she asks pet owners to describe their animals' personalities so she can incorporate these characteristics into the artwork.
"People have countless photos on their phones, but rarely does anyone print one out and hang it on the wall," Winterschlade observes. "A drawing is not only something permanent but can reflect far more than a photo is capable of." The emotional impact of her work often surprises clients. "One customer told me her husband cried when she gave him the portrait of their dog," she recalls. The response to her artwork has been universally positive and frequently deeply moving.
Winterschlade's creativity extends beyond pencil and pastel work. When her poodle Filou entered her life six years ago, she transformed the challenge of finding suitable collars and accessories into an opportunity. Under the name "Dogs and Art," she now creates custom-sewn items for pet owners, from tailored collars to small treat bags. She views this offering not as competition to existing pet stores but as a complement to the market.
The artist will showcase both her pet portraits and handmade accessories at upcoming Christmas markets in Meinerzhagen on December 7th and Belkenscheid on December 13th and 14th. For Winterschlade, these venues provide perfect opportunities to connect with fellow animal lovers who appreciate the intersection of creativity and pet devotion that defines her unique artistic practice.
