A Cosy Afternoon at Honey Trap Bakery: Pet Portraits Meet Vegan Treats in Shawlands

There’s something special about showing artwork outside of a traditional gallery. 

My recent exhibition at Honey Trap Bakery in Shawlands brought together two of my favourite things: pastel pencil pet portraits and a cosy afternoon surrounded by coffee, cake, and community.

Boutique Art in a Local Setting

Honey Trap has quickly become one of the most loved vegan cafes in Shawlands, with its welcoming atmosphere. Exhibiting here felt different from a white-walled gallery space; more personal, more connected.

People dropped in for a cinnamon bun and oat latte, then found themselves pausing at the portraits, recognising the familiar tilt of a Labrador’s head or the soft fur texture of a tabby cat.

It’s exactly why I love showing work in local spaces: art becomes part of everyday life.

Autumn Light and Familiar Faces

The exhibition ran through those first crisp days of autumn, when the leaves in Queen’s Park were just beginning to change. The soft light through the bakery windows seemed to bring out the warm tones in the drawings, and it felt fitting to see pet portraits glowing in that golden glow.

Friends, collectors, and curious locals stopped by, some who had followed my work online, others who stumbled across it while out on their weekend walk.

That mix of planned and serendipitous encounters is what makes small-scale exhibitions so rewarding.

Why Cafes Make Perfect Spaces for Pet Portraits

For me, pet portraits belong in homes, cafes, and other lived-in spaces just as much as galleries.

They spark conversations, invite stories about people’s own animals, and add a sense of warmth and individuality to interiors. Exhibiting in a cafe also makes it easy for people to imagine how a portrait could look on their own walls.

If you’re exploring boutique art exhibitions in Glasgow, don’t overlook the smaller, independent venues. They offer a chance to connect with art in a relaxed, welcoming way - ideally with a pastry in hand!

Take a look at the process of commissioning a pet portrait from me.

Looking Ahead

The Honey Trap exhibition may be over, but I’m already planning the next opportunity to share new work locally. If you’d like to keep up with where the portraits will be heading next, you can join my mailing list or follow along on Instagram.

And if you stopped by Honey Trap during the show, thank you!

It was such a joy to bring pet portraits into one of my favourite corners of Shawlands.