Client Review

By: Leslie Walsh

 I loved my Moxie girl like no other. She was my soul-cat—she was with me for over 18 years, spanning from high school to young adulthood, including every move and life-change in between, and was my only constant. I have wanted to paint her myself for a while, but couldn’t bring myself to do so. When I saw that (my one-time coworker and subsequent very dear friend,) Nacim, was offering pet portraits, I knew I had to commission her to paint my baby. From the moment we met in 2006, I was in awe of Nacim’s pure talent and honed skills, apparent in everything she does and makes, and knew she would be up for the challenge of making this painting a perfect representation of my girl (I might be a touch picky!).

Nacim’s amazing talent, combined with her sensitivity to her subjects, attention to detail, empathy, and her love of her own four-legged baby Leo, made her the only person I would even allow to paint Moxie, from a personal standpoint. From the moment I messaged her, she treated me not only as my friend, but as a professional client—not formal, but just so on-point and detailed, and with so much reverence and honor for my Moxie. Nacim provided multiple ways I could upload reference photos and asked nuanced questions, with much patience. From there, she produced a lovely colour study, from which the perfection of the final painting was built and refined, and she kept me posted every step of the way in its development.

The final painting that I now have proudly displayed is the epitome of “purrfection”—a hyper-realistic portrait of my beloved Moxie girl, and it was made by my dear and talented friend (and just the nicest person!), so I treasure it doubly. Not only am I thrilled with the result, but I am now even more blown away by Nacim, her natural talent, her skill, her attention to detail, and her delicate demeanor, than I was before (and I was already in awe!). The ways in which she does everything—from conducting business, to painting, to her gift wrapping and shipping—is just absolute perfection. The painting arrived in flawless condition from Canada to NYC. She even took note of a little thing I mentioned about a color associated with Moxie, and wrapped the painting in that color of ribbon. It’s the little things that are the big things.

I’m just positively overwhelmed and touched by the love, care, and time that was so clearly poured into this painting—a painting that I will always cherish, and that I’m sure will be appreciated long after I’m gone, as it’s so beautiful and timeless. I highly recommend the framed option, to properly display and protect the finished product.

If you want to immortalize your fur baby or family member, you couldn’t find a more compassionate artist than Nacim. If you’re grieving a loss, I hope you’ll find the same healing I have found in working with her—I can’t recommend Nacim or her artwork highly enough to do her justice—she’s an absolute joy!