Artist Profile: Maurice (Mo) Becnel's Picture Perfect Pet Portraits

By Drew Wilson

Maurice (Mo) Becnel is a popular local artist that I've known for many years. I've always been a fan of his pet portraits and really admire his ability to capture the essence of a pet's personality in his work. The first pet portrait Mo ever did was for a friend's birthday. Word got around fast about the gorgeous gift and commissions for handsome hounds and pretty kitties have been pouring in ever since.

Drew: For those who don't know, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you been in Denver? How long have you been an artist?
Mo: I am originally from Algiers, LA (a suburb of NOLA) and I moved to Denver from New York City 18 years ago. I love this state and this city.

Maurice (Mo) Becnel

I had only been to Denver once, for a weeks’ vacation, before moving here with my ex-boyfriend. I was a bit of a nomad back in those days having lived in Hartford, San Francisco and Austin previously. When I first visited it was the week of July 4th and I went to the Cherry Creeks Arts Festival every day. It (and Denver, honestly) was so different from everything I was used to on the east coast and certainly from my childhood in the south.

What is it about animal portraits you enjoy doing?
First, I suppose it is because I am animal lover myself. My hubby Jon and I currently have two dogs and a cat. They are the love of my life. One is a St. Bernard/Malamute mix named Belvedere and the other is a Greyhound/Golden Retriever mix named Kozmo. They were both rescued from the Dumb Friends League as was Mini-Man, the world’s laziest cat!

From the very first dog I ever painted right up to a cat I finished the other night, I can honestly say that it brings a great deal of joy to me when I complete a portrait. I have been very fortunate with the portraits as it has allowed me to meet some very amazing pets and pet owners.

Why are animal portraits popular and who commissions/buys them?
People are just crazy about their pets ... believe me I know all too well! I get quite a few commissions from people who have seen one of my portraits at a friend’s house, or someone I created one for might refer me. My website also generates a fair bit of traffic when it comes to referrals. Additionally, I do receive quite a few commissions after a pet has passed on. People like to memorialize their pets in some way and a portrait seems to work well for some people. Many times someone will contact me because their best friend or a relative has lost their pet and they want to show their respects this way. I am rarely present when the person receives the portrait but I usually get a very nice note afterwards.


You really seem to capture the essence or "spark" of the animals you paint--what's the secret to really capturing a pet's personality on canvas?
Well, I work exclusively from photos that the pet owner gives me or someone close to the owner gives me. The very first dog I painted was really a sort of experiment and, although it turned out really well, it was very stylized. I quickly learned as I got more requests that the most important aspect of the portrait for the owner was that they saw their pet, not as I saw their pet, but as they saw them. Gathering three or four really good pictures of the pet from the owner really helps accomplish getting the way they see their pets.


Secondly, I like to capture a full on face shot. I believe it is the way I look at my own dogs that drives this desire or perspective. Capturing the way a pet looks at their owners in a picture really fascinates me. Sometimes the pet never looks directly at them in the picture and sometimes you can almost sense they are smiling at them. That’s what I try to capture. I have been told many times by the owner, “that is exactly the way he would cock his head” or “my cat always stared at me just like that.” It is very fulfilling when I sense I have gotten it right for them.

How can MHGG readers order a painting of their very own and how long do they generally take for you to finish?
The best way to reach me is through my website, www.MauriceBecnel.com or my email: mo@mauricebecnel.com. Generally speaking it is about 6-8 weeks to get a portrait done.

Do you have any message for readers of MHGG or is there anything you'd like to say that we haven't covered already?
In closing I would want them to know that I work within anyone’s budget. I don’t really have a price list established. Typically, I work with acrylic paints although I can use oils, pastels, chalk or charcoal. There is a minimum price for the portraits but again I am very flexible working with a client’s budget.