Artist Creates Funny Oil Paintings of Animals Doing Human Things

Oil painting has been around for centuries, but contemporary artists worldwide are proving that the rich, glossy pigments are suited to more than just traditional landscapes and portraits. Using classic oil painting techniques, British artist Alison Friend brings a modern twist to the style of the Old Masters. She creates humorous anthropomorphic animal portraits that look like they could hang in a grand stately home.

From a fluffy white dog caught snacking on pizza to a cat munching on Cheetos, each painting humorously brings pets to life in relatable, playful ways. By depicting animals with human objects, outfits, and emotions, each image tells a story and creates a strong connection with the viewer.

For Friend, humor is at the heart of everything she creates. As a child, she drew comic strips featuring her neighbors’ cats doing human-like things. Later, she went on to illustrate children’s picture books, where humanistic animals became key characters in her work.

Today, Friend focuses on her oil painting series, creating her work from her studio in England's picturesque Lake District. With their relatable humor and universal appeal, Friend’s paintings connect with audiences from all walks of life. Her work has been exhibited at the Outsider Art Fair in New York, as well as gallery spaces in LA, London, Singapore, and Australia.

“I try to depict funny contemporary characters with their modern relatable vices, like snacks, booze, and cigarettes,” Friend tells My Modern Met. “They are the complete opposite of the often dour porcelain-skinned human subjects in the portraits of the Old Masters, yet I want that old traditional feel for my paintings.” The artist adds, “They often have the same dour expressions as their Old Master counterparts…particularly the cats.”

Friend hopes her paintings will bring joy to everyone who sees them. “I want people to laugh and smile at my paintings,” she shares. “I would like them to relate the characters to the animals in their own lives.” Friend jokingly adds, “I want them to go home and look at their dog and wonder if he’s been smoking a crafty cigarette while they’ve been out.”

Check out some of Friend’s animal portraits below, and explore more of her work on her website. If you’re interested in prints, you can sign up for her newsletter to get early access.