Artist. Architect. Pet Person.
Hi! I’m Steve Socha—a Toronto-based artist, architect, and lifelong animal lover. I specialize in hand-drawn pet portraits that honour the animals we hold closest to our hearts.
I’ve been drawing animals since I was a kid. My first “commission” came shortly after my parents gave me a book on how to draw animals—and I haven’t stopped since.
In 2015, I turned this passion into a part-time business: Portraits by Steve Socha. Since then, I’ve created over 110 custom portraits for people who wanted to celebrate, memorialize, or surprise someone with a meaningful gift.
Each piece is drawn by hand, based on your photo, using professional graphite or white charcoal. Every portrait is also filmed in time-lapse and added to my YouTube channel—so you can watch the process unfold from start to finish.
Your portrait will be shipped in a sturdy cardboard tube, or you can pick it up from my home or office in downtown Toronto. I offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee—because this kind of art matters, and it should feel right.
💬 What Clients Say
“He captured our dog’s soul like he knew her.”
“Best gift ever. I’ve ordered four so far.”
🎁 Interested in a Portrait?
It’s easy:
📧 Email me at pet.portraits.toronto@gmail.com or use the Contact page
📷 Send your favourite photo(s) of your pet
✏️ I’ll get back to you with details and confirm your spot
Portraits make perfect gifts for birthdays, holidays, memorials—or just because you love your pet.
🎸 When I’m Not Drawing…
I work full-time as an architect at Diamond Schmitt Architects. When I’m off the clock, you’ll find me:
Hanging out with my cat, Archie
Swimming
Playing guitar or ukulele
Throwing axes
Always thinking of Rodney, who was with us 17 years.
Portraits by Steve Socha 