I'm Shazie, a pet portrait and wildlife coloured pencil artist based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

In 2014, I commissioned a friend to draw my Bengal cat called Freya, in pastels. I was in awe of how life like the drawing was.

From that day I always wanted to be able to draw but never thought I could do it.

I was already an avid cross stitcher, since the age of 21. I've had my name in the UK cross stitch magazines as a model stitcher for them years ago.

Fast forward to 2022, I was looking for another hobby. I suffer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia, I have days when I have to take things easy. I wanted something that I could do sitting down. I tried polymer clay modelling and watercolour painting.

In June 2022 I was browsing YouTube, I came across coloured pencil drawing tutorial videos and from that day I was hooked and have never looked back.

My first ever attempt at drawing was this cat portrait below. I followed a tutorial by Shannon Mullin on You Tube. Shannon is another local pet portrait and wildlife artist who teaches others the skill.

If you would like to join my waitlist to have a pet portrait drawn, please subscribe here. 

Alternatively you can sign up for my weekly newsletter, just scroll down to to the bottom, you will see the subscribe section.

It would make my day to have people following my coloured pencil journey with me.

I'm really excited to see what the future holds for me.