Testimonials

Margot emigrated with us from England to Hamilton five years ago and quite frankly we couldn’t have done it without her. She was an enormous comfort to us during our massive upheaval, always there when we needed a hug.

Since then she has provided us with three adorable litters and we kept a puppy from each litter. Her other puppies have gone to 17 other families making them so happy during the trying times of pandemic.

We simply had to celebrate Margot's retirement with a portrait by Deb and we're absolutely delighted with the way in which Deb has caught Margot’s expression and that look in her eye that you can’t help but love.

Margot’s portrait melts my heart every time I look at it and we will certainly be commissioning Deb to paint Margot’s daughters before too long.

Thank you, thank you, Deb

Camilla Rodwell

Hamilton, Vic

Deb has painted 4 dogs for me over the years starting with Cuba in 2002, then Twiggy, followed by Fig and now Colin, just recently.
She is truly talented and has captured them all and their personalities to a tee.
I couldn’t be happier and would highly recommend her, she is so clever.
Thank you Deb.

Rachel Grimshaw
Tyrendarra, Vic

Thank you Deb for your beautiful portrait of our adored Maisy. You have captured her so perfectly, right down to her big soulful brown eyes and those delicate blonde eyelashes that we loved so much. Best of all though it is her spirit that shines through. Her gentle nature, her quiet strength and her absolute devotion to her people. It is this sense of character that makes your work so remarkable.
She will take her place in our living room as she always did in life. Not too close to the fire given that big thick coat and with a direct line of sight to both the kitchen and dining table. She was a Labrador after all.
Thank you Deb for this very special piece. We will treasure it always.

Penny Gretton-Watson

Woodend, Vic

For Christmas this year I asked Deb to paint a portrait of my daughter’s much loved and aging mare, Cellie. This horse is so special to us and I wanted to always have her with us.
Deb had previously photographed and painted my son’s two dogs, a Labrador and a Border Collie, producing beautiful portraits of these two special family members. It was such a pleasure to deal with Deb so it was a natural decision to ask her to paint Cellie.
It is hard to describe how amazing Deb’s work is, she captures the soul and personality of the animal with her incredible detail and perfect brushwork, resulting in what I can only describe as a “living” artwork.
Every time I look at the portraits of Shadow, Lynx and Cellie I am so pleased I asked Deb to paint them for my son and daughter, as they will treasure these paintings forever.

Libby Macgugan
Hensley Park, Vic

Thank you so much Deb, for this amazing portrait of my beautiful fur baby Piper.
The detail of her eye shows the beauty of her nature. This is the last of my three amazing fur babies that you have completed for us, all of which are equally stunning.
The special gift you have, allows our loved ones to remain close to our family for ever.

Helen Edmondson

Hamilton, Vic

I recently commissioned Deborah to paint our dog Monty, as a gift for my husband Ross.
Commissioning art can be tricky, you really do have to ‘manage your expectations’ as the saying goes. A portrait is even trickier, and the best I’d hoped for was some likeness. When it arrived, Deborah’s painting completely blew me away. It’s been the gift of
a lifetime for Ross, and a BIG win for me! We’ll cherish it long after Monty’s gone.
Deborah Melville is a rare artist. She has the knack of seeing and capturing the soul of an animal. Her technique and finish are astonishing, and she’s a delight to meet.

Kate Curtis
Albert Park, Vic

A few years ago, I commissioned Deb to paint four of my polo ponies. I believe my ponies were the first ones she painted for
the polo fraternity.

Deb did an outstanding job in capturing the essence and character of each of the ponies. The colours and proportions were spot on and I have great pleasure in enjoying the painting on my homestead hall, where it has been admired by many people.

Deb brings a great passion and commitment to her work and I can highly recommend her for any animal commissions that people might want done.

Tim Stewart

Kinvonvie, Hamilton, Vic

Deborah Melville painted a portrait of my little terrier, Smidgeon, many years ago. I was enchanted with her portrait of Smidgeon, not only did Deborah capture the likeness; she also caught the dog’s personality.
Since then, Deborah has painted two of our stallions with equal success. She also painted a picture of my Granddaughter before she was a year old; it has given me so much pleasure as it was such a marvellous record of Sophie as a baby.
I have seen many other pictures that Deborah has painted, they
are all of a very high standard, and so pleased their owners who commissioned them.
Not only is Deborah a highly skilled and talented artist, she is a charming person to deal with, both professionally and then as a friend.

Susie Clark

Dunkeld, Vic

This Birthday I have been spoilt rotten and it is not even a "0" year! My husband secretly arranged for Deb Melville to paint our much loved two dogs. The results are totally fantastic. Olympia the Brittany Spaniel is now over 10 and to know that I have such a beautiful watercolour to keep of her is very special. Deb has captured both dogs personalities so well. It makes me laugh as Olympia has that wistful look on her face which is so typical! Willow our Border Collie on the other hand looks like she is about to cock her head to the other side and leap off the page in search of a ball for me to throw! The precision of the watercolours is quite incredible, they look almost photographic, the detail on each dog is amazing, I have no idea how she does it, but Deb is one talented Lady!

Tatty Happell

Armadale, Vic

We are thrilled with the portrait you recently did of "I'm a little Scottie". You captured her beauty, strength and personality perfectly.

She has been such an extraordinary horse, it's wonderful to have your painting as a reminder of the great times I've had with this special animal.

Your portraits of Corduroy and Easter are so true to life and superbly painted with just the right amount of detail.

The paintings show the beautiful natures of these two retrievers who are very much part of the family and spoiled rotten.

Thanks again, you talented lady, we really love your work.

Sid Myer

Toorak, Vic