From IT Professional to Full-Time Artist
Sometimes, life nudges you in unexpected directions. For Meghna Amonkar, that nudge came in the form of a wagging tail and a soulful pair of eyes—her adopted Indie dog, Taco. After spending two decades in the corporate world, working with Tata Interactive Systems, Meghna had reached a point where the job felt repetitive. The thrill of climbing the corporate ladder had faded, and she found herself questioning what truly made her happy.
That’s when she decided to take a leap of faith. In December 2018, she left her job and launched Pet-traits, a business dedicated to creating hand-painted pet portraits. At the time, the concept was rare in India. While some artists painted pets occasionally, there wasn’t anyone who specialized in it. Meghna saw an opportunity to blend her two biggest passions—art and animals.
Of course, there were no guarantees that it would work. All she had was a domain name for a website she hadn’t even built yet. Her first order came from a friend. But soon, her work started getting noticed. Then came a breakthrough moment—painting the Dogs of Bombay House, a project that not only spread awareness about pet adoption but also led her to meet Ratan Tata himself.
Bringing Pets to Life on Canvas
For Meghna, a pet portrait is more than just a painting—it’s a way to honor a beloved companion. She doesn’t just work from photos; she asks pet parents about their animal’s personality, quirks, favorite spots, and little habits. Every small detail matters to her, from the exact shade of an eye to the unique markings on a snout.
Her style is hyper-realistic, which means she spends hours capturing the tiniest details. The one thing she never compromises on? The eyes. “If the eyes don’t speak to me, the portrait isn’t finished,” she says.
She also gets requests to paint pets that have passed away. Sometimes, the only available pictures are blurry or unclear. While that makes the process harder, Meghna doesn’t like turning people down. She does her best to fill in the gaps using her imagination and deep understanding of animal expressions.
Debunking Myths About Digital Art
Unlike traditional painters who work with brushes and canvases, Meghna prefers digital painting. She uses Photoshop and a Wacom tablet, carefully layering colors and textures to create a hand-painted look. But digital art is often misunderstood.
“Some people think the software does all the work for you, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” she explains. Every stroke is done by hand, just like in traditional painting. The only difference is that she holds a stylus instead of a brush. She avoids using filters or shortcuts, keeping the natural imperfections and organic strokes intact.
With AI-generated art becoming more common, Meghna believes it’s important to educate people about the difference between machine-created images and hand-painted digital work. “A portrait made by an artist has heart, and that’s something no software can replicate,” she says.
A New Challenge: The World of Clay
By 2022, Pet-traits had become well-established. But Meghna started craving a new challenge. That’s when she discovered ceramics. A short 10-day pottery course was enough to get her hooked.
Unlike painting, working with clay meant letting go of control. The medium had its own temperament—rushing the process could lead to cracks, and unexpected results were part of the journey. But Meghna loved it.
At first, she made custom pet figurines, sticking to what she knew best. But soon, she wanted to experiment beyond pets. She took a break from commissions and started sculpting wildlife, focusing on urban animals like leopards, otters, and squirrels.
Her ceramic work isn’t just about creating pretty objects—it carries a message. “We live alongside so many incredible creatures, but we rarely acknowledge them,” she says. Through her work, she hopes to shift perspectives and make people see animals not as threats, but as part of their surroundings.
Painting Goa, The Bombay House Dog
One of Meghna’s most meaningful projects was painting Goa, Ratan Tata’s beloved Indie dog. Her connection with Bombay House began when she wrote a heartfelt letter to Mr. Tata in 2018, thanking him for his work with stray dogs. She never expected a reply, but to her surprise, she got one.
That led to a meeting with Shantanu Naidu, who was managing Tata’s animal welfare initiatives. The idea to paint the Dogs of Bombay House came up, and Meghna jumped at the opportunity.
She spent hours photographing and observing the dogs, understanding their personalities. Goa, Mr. Tata’s favorite, had already become a poster boy for the Adopt, Don’t Shop movement, so painting him felt extra special.
Her portraits were later displayed at a Starbucks near Bombay House, and the biggest highlight? Mr. Tata himself came to see them. “Meeting him was a dream come true. When he signed my portrait of Goa, it felt surreal,” Meghna recalls.
A Personal Connection to Goa
Meghna also has a deep-rooted connection to Goa through family. Her father-in-law, originally from Chikhli, spent his childhood there before moving to Mumbai. Though much has changed, the family still holds onto memories of grand Ganapati celebrations and the old ancestral home.
Her love for Goa grew even more when she attended the Goa Potters’ Fest. Hosted by local friends, she got to experience the region beyond its tourist spots, discovering hidden gems and soaking in its artistic atmosphere.
“It’s the most inspiring place for an artist to be in,” she says. And in the future, she hopes to make it her creative home.
Leaving a Legacy Through Art
From painting pets to sculpting wildlife, Meghna’s journey has been about following her passion, even when it meant taking big risks.
She doesn’t just create art—she tells stories. Whether it’s a dog’s soulful gaze in a portrait, a leopard sculpted onto a plate, or a hand-crafted ceramic pendant, every piece carries a little bit of heart.
Looking back, she’s grateful she took that leap in 2018. Because what started as a passion project has now become a lifelong mission—to celebrate animals through art, one brushstroke and clay sculpture at a time.
