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Watercolor Pet Portraits and Original Artwork, Hand-Painted in Mars Hill, NC

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Hand-painted from your photos.
One-of-a-kind pieces designed to be treasured forever.

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I’m Heather Coggins, a watercolor artist in Mars Hill, North Carolina. I paint custom pet portraits, Appalachian landscapes, and home portraits on commission for clients across Asheville and Western North Carolina. Every piece is an original, hand-painted in my studio, usually with two dachshunds asleep at my feet.

Artwork That Holds Meaning

Some paintings are wall decor. Others are the things you hand down.

Clients across Asheville and Western North Carolina commission artwork to:

Honor beloved pets and their personalities

Create meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts

Capture homes, landscapes, and special places

Invest in heirloom-quality pieces with emotional value

Custom Artwork You Can Commission

Commission options include:

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Honor beloved pets and their personalities

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Create meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts

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Capture homes, landscapes, and special places

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Invest in heirloom-quality pieces with emotional value

If the subject matters to you, it’s worth painting by hand.

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How it Works

1

Send me your photos. A couple of clear shots of your pet, your view, or your place. I’ll tell you if I need anything else.

2

​We talk through the details. Size, composition, background, framing. I’ll walk you through the options so you are not guessing.

3

I paint it, then it ships. Every commission is hand-painted in watercolor and packed carefully so it arrives ready to hang or gift.

An Artistic Style That Feels Personal

My work blends expressive detail with a sense of warmth and character, creating paintings that feel both lifelike and deeply personal.

 

What my work leans into

Capturing the unique personality and spirit of each subject

Vibrant, layered color and soft movement

A balance of realism and artistic interpretation

A collaborative approach that keeps your vision central

No two paintings are alike. Each one is created to feel entirely your own.

 

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Featured Portfolio Pieces

Custom watercolor pet portraits and original paintings I’ve made for collectors across North Carolina.

120+

Pet Portraits Painted since 2018

60+

Homes and “Favorite Places” Commissions painted

Kind Words From Clients

“Heather did portraits of our puppies from photos. The results are breathtaking! Spot on! We have three of her portraits hanging in our home. Give her a try, she is really good!”

Bernie Straub

Folly Beach SC
(commissioned pet portrait)

“Everytime I look at the painting I find some new detail that I love even more than before. It is perfect and exactly what I was hoping for.Thanks for working with us. I just know she will love it, too!”

Matt Lang

Birmingham AL
(commissioned painting for wife’s birthday)

“Sadie (AKA the 12 pounds of terror) is very happy with her portrait. As the Boss of this house, she feels that it suits her assertive personality perfectly. Thanks so much - I love it!”

Jimmy Landry

Asheville NC
(commissioned pet portrait)

Exhibitions and Events

Original watercolor artwork is featured in exhibitions and local showcases throughout Western North Carolina.

Current Exhibition

Modern Local ARTSOUP Gallery

42 N Main St., Mars Hill, NC 28754
On display and for sale through July 31, 2026

Coming Next

Wolf Laurel Property Owners Association Gallery

91 Village Lane, Mars Hill, NC 28754
Exhibition begins August 1, 2026

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About Me

My work is rooted in Madison County, North Carolina, a rugged, forested corner of the Appalachians brimming with wildflowers, wildlife, and endless inspiration. I paint what brings me joy: dogs being their goofy, loyal selves, mountains standing timeless, and the flora and fauna that make this place like no other on the planet. My dog portraits are full of color and attitude. My landscapes and nature studies are love letters to the region’s beauty.

I’m a Carolina native and retired English teacher who can’t resist a good book or an heirloom seed packet. A life-long painter, I find joy in capturing the colors of the world around me, usually with my two dachshunds at my feet in the studio. When I’m not painting, reading, or digging in the dirt, you’ll probably find me out wandering in the woods or planning my next creative project.

Create Something That Means Something

Commission a custom watercolor painting designed to capture what matters most to you.

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