ALEBRIJES PET PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS
Overview
The first Alebrijes portrait started with a simple request.
While working at Starbucks in 2021, my manager asked if I could create a special gift for her sister — a portrait of her cat illustrated in the Alebrijes style inspired by the film Coco.
She shared several photos of her sister’s cat as references, and I began the creative process of translating the pet’s likeness into a vibrant, patterned Alebrijes interpretation.
The goal was not only to capture the physical features of the cat, but also to reimagine the animal through the colorful symbolism and intricate patterns that define Alebrijes artwork.
My client’s sister’s cat for reference
Creative Process
Each portrait begins with studying the pet through reference photos provided by the client.
From there, the process involves:
• Sketching the pet’s core shape and personality traits
• Translating those traits into stylized Alebrijes features
• Designing intricate patterns unique to the animal
• Applying vibrant color palettes inspired by traditional Mexican folk art
The result is a highly stylized portrait filled with color, personality, and movement.
Every pattern and color combination is intentionally designed to make the piece feel alive and energetic, reflecting the spirit of the pet being illustrated.
When the portrait was completed and delivered, my manager shared it with her sister.
She was deeply moved by the artwork and incredibly appreciative of the piece — so much so that she gave me a thoughtful gift in return as a thank you.
That moment reinforced something important:
Art has the ability to capture memories, emotions, and relationships in a way that photographs sometimes cannot.
The Impact
After completing the first commission, I continued exploring the Alebrijes style by creating portraits of pets within my own family.
This included illustrations of:
• Pogy — my half-pug, half-rat terrier
• Buffalo — my pug
• Adobo — my half-dachshund, half-pug
• and other beloved family pets
Each portrait became an opportunity to experiment with new patterns, color combinations, and symbolic details, while still honoring the personality of the animal.
Through this process, the Alebrijes Pet Portrait Series was born.
The Series Evolves
Pogy Alebrijes Pet Portrait
Buffalo Alebrijes Pet Portrait
Adobo Alebrijes Pet Portrait
Harper Alebrijes Pet Portraits
Jasper Alebrijes Pet Portrait
Wiener Dog Alebrjies Pet Portrait
French Bulldog Alebrijes Pet Portrait
Artistic Direction
This project helped define a style that feels deeply authentic to my work as an artist.
Key elements of the series include:
• Vibrant color palettes
• Intricate pattern design
• Personality-driven illustrations
• Cultural inspiration from Alebrijes folk art
• Emotional storytelling through pets
Rather than creating simple pet portraits, these illustrations aim to celebrate the spirit of each animal in a playful and imaginative way.
Continuing the Work
The Alebrijes Pet Portrait Series remains an ongoing artistic project.
What began as a single art commission has evolved into a signature style I continue to explore — creating colorful, symbolic portraits that bring beloved pets to life in a completely unique way.
Each piece is not just a portrait.
It’s a celebration of a pet’s spirit, personality, and the joy they bring to the people who love them.
Services:
Alebrijes-Inspired Pet Portrait Commissions
Medium:
Digital Illustration