Harshita Gakkhar — Creating Picture Perfect Furtraits

The contentment pets bring us cannot be completely caught in words. But, Harshita is doing precisely that with her real-life watercolour paintings. Her Instagram account in which she shares her pet portraits is bound to generate smiles on anyone’s face. So, the contentment she gives to the pet parents with her portraits is colossal.

Harshita since her childhood days had had an interest in art and her decision to choose her path in painting pet portraits came as a result of her quest for experimentation since her childhood. Beginning her watercolour journey from landscape paintings, she gradually moved on to portraits. Picking up pet portraits was easy as is her compassion towards animals.

Let’s today learn more about Harshita, her unique art and how is she impacting pet parents across the world with her talent.

What are you working on right now?

I am painting “Luna”. She is a breeder discarded labrador rescued by @buddybellaelmo. She found her when she was just 1–2 months old, had a fractured leg/ She is soon going to go to her forever home and @buddybellaelmo wanted to get her portrait done.

What is so unique about your business?

I find the connection between a pet and its human very special. Every pet has its unique personality and distinct features which I love to capture through my painting. All my work is 100% handmade, one of a kind, and I use the most professional-grade art supplies to make sure the painting lasts for generations to come.

What have you enjoyed most about starting a pet portrait business?

I love the friends I have made over the past couple of years. Being an artist I am always lost in my thoughts and I have an introverted personality. But painting pets have got me the chance to meet so many wonderful people.

What service do you offer?

I paint everlasting memories! Everything that I do is custom made. Currently, I specialise in handpainted pet portraits. I also launched a limited edition pet calendar. But I wish to launch a couple of more custom made products in future for pets.

How do you advertise your business?

Mostly I share on Instagram and that’s where I post all my work. It is all organic and word of mouth.

How has the internet or social media helped you in the pet business?

Everybody is online and on social media 24/7. So the way art is consumed is completely different now. You can reach more people through social media than you could ever do face to face being a newbie.

Do you work locally or nationally?

Maximum clients are based in India. but I also ship worldwide and have shipped across the US, Japan, Middle East and Europe.

Does your company help the community?

In my capacity, I have sponsored food for streeties through happytails in Mumbai and donated it to individual rescuers for rescue efforts. But, the biggest fundraiser I did was in collaboration with KAW & Leia where I donated 25 pet calendars for a fundraiser and raised 15k funds for animal welfare.

How do you plan for your business future?

I would like to introduce a few more custom products. I am learning digital art as well and plan on launching custom merchandise.

What is the major difference between pet portrait artists in India vs International?

I feel physical labour is valued more internationally as compared to India. In India, the usual career paths are defined by being engineer, doctor, lawyer, civil servant. When it comes to art people see it as more like a hobby, people don’t consider it as a real career and don’t value the skill all that much. Hence people tend to ask for free paintings more here. Which my international friends find quite odd!
But it is certainly changing, I have had the pleasure of painting 300+ pets so far and I am grateful for all the pet parents who decided to put their faith in me for their pet’s painting.

What’s your biggest aha moment?

Every time I receive feedback on my art and how it made someone smile, teared up, cry, happy and another plethora of emotions, it’s an aha moment for me! I just don’t sell paintings, I bring joy!

What do you consider non-negotiable in your business?

Mutual respect. Since my work is high involvement and it’s not mass-produced work I need to personally speak to pet parents. Understand more about their pets, their personality and their unique traits so that I can bring them on my canvas! It takes time to paint hence, people should not expect one day delivery like Amazon as good art takes time!

How do you define success as an entrepreneur?

No matter how much money you make or how many things you have or if your business is worth millions or trillions — if you wake up in the morning and are happy with the person you are, if you believe you’re well-rounded by doing well, then that is the definition of entrepreneurs succeed. The money will come. I will never let a number define who I am as an entrepreneur.

Harshita, do well while doing good and you can change the world while being a great entrepreneur. Don’t let some stat or ego-play dictate what you believe an entrepreneur is or is not.

Harshita is based in Jaipur, India and her business Instagram handle is @thedoodledidi and she can be contacted on thedoodledidi@gmail.com