Drawn from life
Real dogs. Real stories. Moments worth remembering.
Aspen
Brisbane, Australia
After spending most of her life in a cage in rural Queensland until her owner died, Aspen was sent to an overcrowded shelter, expecting to be euthanised the next day. A rescue organisation stepped in, and Aspen was the featured at an adoption event at a local aged care facility. And, you guessed it, residents and staffers fell under the spell of Aspen’s charms and adopted her on the spot!
Whiskey
Juneau, Alaska
Whiskey is another fine graduate of the brilliant foster system. Shelters are unnatural, chaotic places that most dogs don’t do well in, so in order to get through it, lots of their behaviour gets suppressed. A new dog parent can really only know their dog after about a month of living in their home. Adopting a pup fostered in a home that is close in make-up to their own home increases the chance of healthy transition from shelter to home. Kudos to the magnificent foster community for giving dogs that extra chance of survival.
Angus
London, England
With beautiful, soulful eyes like this, Angus was always going to be a candidate for a foster-fail. Taken from a high-kill shelter on the outskirts of London, Maryanne’s first objective was to save Angus’ life, then to find him a happy home. Enthusiasm to find this home however, began to falter after about three weeks, as Maryanne began to fall for the charms of the adoring Angus. To be honest, Maryanne was never really looking that hard, and deep down, knew all along that Angus had already found his forever home.
The Drawn Free Collection
Explore our collection of illustrated narratives that celebrate the resilience and spirit of rescue dogs.
Drawn Free
A heartfelt collection of hand-painted watercolour portraits celebrating rescue dogs and the stories that gave them a second chance.
Drawn Free II
A new volume of expressive rescue dog portraits and real-life stories capturing resilience, companionship, and hope.
Drawn Free III
Continuing the Drawn Free journey, this collection honours more unforgettable rescue dogs through vibrant watercolour and storytelling.
Commission a custom portrait
Every dog has their own personality, spirit, and story — and a custom Drawn Free portrait is designed to celebrate exactly that. Whether it’s a tribute to a lifelong companion, a rescue story worth remembering, or a gift for someone special, each illustration is created by hand with care and attention to detail.
All portraits are individually hand drawn using high quality watercolour inks and professional watercolour paper, giving every piece its own unique character and texture. No digital filters or AI generation — just traditional illustration, created one piece at a time.
To help capture your dog’s personality as accurately as possible, please upload a selection of clear reference photos when placing your enquiry. Straight-on photos taken at your dog’s eye level tend to work best, particularly in natural light. The more expressive the photos, the better.
Custom commission portraits are priced at US$150 plus postage. Once your enquiry is received, you’ll be contacted with turnaround times and any additional details required before work begins.
In watercolour
Hand-painted portraits inspired by rescue dogs and the lives they change.
Kind words
Stories, memories, and reflections shared by fellow dog lovers.
Bought these as gifts and the recipients loved them. Wonderful art and cause.
Mary R
New York, USA
These will be my special stocking stuffers this year. whenever you are feeling a bit down hearted, pick up these books.
Connie B.
Colorado, USA
Wonderful book full of vibrance and character. A must for all dog lovers. A worthy book for a worthy cause.
Albert L.
Sydney, Australia
His art work reflects the true spirit of each rescued dog! Drawn Free is masterfully written! A must read!
Gary V.
West Virginia, USA
James Wadley keeps getting better! I absolutely LOVED the first Drawn Free, and the second topped it!
Kelli B.
Colorado, USA
Bought this as a Christmas gift and it is FANTASTIC!! Beautiful watercolor artwork and sweet stories.
Alisa J.
Colorado, USA
Capturing the personality of your dog in art is a gift that lasts forever. Truly special work.
Sarah M.
London, UK
The storytelling is just as moving as the art. A beautiful tribute to rescue animals everywhere.
David K.
San Francisco, USA
Giving back
A portion of Drawn Free proceeds helps support rescue organisations caring for dogs in need.
I’m incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of the Drawn Free community. Every purchase, shared story, and kind word helps turn artwork into real-world rescue support, with each Drawn Free book continuing to help rescue organisations care for dogs searching for a brighter future. Thank you for being part of the journey and helping make a genuine difference.
The story behind Drawn Free
James Wadley is a Sydney-based artist with a deep love for rescue dogs and a passion for capturing their stories through watercolour.
His illustrations are hand-drawn, loose and expressive, using vibrant colour and gentle unpredictability to reflect the spirit, resilience, and personality of the dogs who inspire them.
Each piece is created not to chase perfection, but to celebrate connection — preserving the quiet joy and individuality that make every rescue story unique.
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What began as a simple thank-you painting for a friend who had adopted a shelter dog soon grew into something much larger. One portrait became many, eventually inspiring the first Drawn Free collection — followed by Drawn Free II and beyond.
Today, every book continues to celebrate real rescue dogs and the stories behind them, while also helping support rescue organisations through a portion of every sale. If these stories resonate with you, you’re already part of what helps make them possible.