These eyes ... is it any wonder the basenji makes such a compelling subject for Valerie?

Born to farming parents in the summer of 1943, Valerie Cortez (nee Schumacher) moved to Washington State when she was eight.

It was at this age that Valerie became interested in drawing. She was encouraged by a talented mother who took Valerie for her first drawing lessons at around 13 years. "I loved it," Valerie says. "I started to paint shortly after this and joined up with a teacher who taught just oil painting."

The aristocratic Saluki, by Valerie Cortez.

Fate intervened when, at 16, Valerie met and fell in love with "the most wonderful man", and she ran off and married him. "My art lessons stopped at this time. I always wanted to continue but I spent most of my efforts raising six children. Life just did not let me have the time or the space to paint so I put that on the back burner."

Things began to turn around when Valerie's daughter Martina, at 16, wanted to get a basenji dog to show. Eventually, a basenji was found and they fell in love with the breed. "We were hooked. We spent most of our weekends going to dog shows."

Dependable Doberman: portrait by Valerie Cortez.

Martina had given up her horses to have the dogs and the dogs became their passion. Valerie still wanted to paint and draw them so for a few years, she dabbled in it, making cards for other people.

"I lost my mother the same year I got cancer and this made me realize that life is short. If I were ever to get back to painting, I would have to do it now. I was 60 years old."

Ever-watchful, a Border Collie with a keen eye.

Valerie drew strength to fight her cancer from the example shown by one of her foundation basenji bitches which had earlier been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. "It was found after it had metastasized," Valerie explains. "I took her every day to the cancer centre in Portland for treatment. She is OK to this day. When I got cancer, I knew if that little dog, so brave and strong, could get past it, so could I."

Martina also showed artistic talent and she wanted to do some work and sell it on eBay. So Valerie would go to her daughter's house every day and fit in drawing and painting with her cancer treatment.

Portrait of an Irish Wolfhound.

"People loved my paintings, so I would do one here and there for others. Then I was offered money to paint some pictures and I have not put the brush down since! Painting is so enjoyable."

Although Valerie started painting horses, the beautiful dogs she came across at dog shows soon became her preferred subjects.

The wire-haired dachshunds by Valerie Cortez.

Her art is realistic and she paints from photos. Valerie says she doesn't have a particular style, she "just paints and it comes out on the canvas. Many times it surprises me".

Much of her inspiration comes from her dogs and, most importantly, from her mother, and daughter Martina.

She still breeds and shows basenjis, admitting they are not the breed for everyone, but they are very interesting dogs. "I have spent hours watching puppies at play with adults."

Valerie does work on commission. Once a painting is complete, she emails the results to her clients who can tell her about any changes they would like made. You may contact Valerie regarding her painting by email here.