Lydia's first muse was a brain-damaged puppy abandoned in a junkyard. Then there was Bart, who’s heart was filled with heartworms; Valerie, neglected and exploited for breeding; and Cobalt, a perfect boy overlooked for being a cropped-eared pittie. Each of them left an indelible mark, shaping not only Lydia's life but the purpose behind her work.

Rooted in the traditions of classical realism, Lydia uses the discipline's reverence for beauty, anatomy, and form to elevate the non-human animal to the same level of dignity and significance long reserved only for human subjects.

Her paintings invite viewers to recognize a shared kinship across species, exploring the idea that all living beings are interconnected expressions of Nature equally worthy of compassion, reverence, and wonder.

Lydia has studied with the Academy of Realist Art Boston and Grand Central Atelier. She lives in Louisiana with her partner, where they rescue and rehabilitate homeless dogs, and help run a dog rescue and advocacy group.