Is this a strange/offencive gift?

It’s very thoughtful and I’m sure they’ll like it but don’t give it as an engagement gift. Just say, I painted this for you in memory of Dcat.

Yes. Some of it is criminal.

I think a print of the picture on a card might be the best idea.

I’d like it, I’d think it was thoughtful.

@moanycoo well if I was the recipient I would love it and would be flattered

I wouldn't gift people home decor in general. I assume you'd be hurt if it was never displayed? This makes it awkward for them if they don't want to display it (as they may not want to, even if it is a nice painting). The postcard idea is much better. 😊

Perpetrator?

I'd love it, maybe not as an engagement related gift, just as a lovely shared memory. My dad made our cat's little grave marker when he died (cat not dad), he carved it himself from wood and it's one of my favourite things he's given us. I think it's a lovely thing to give to them, but maybe as a "thanks for the lovely cat cuddles, I miss her too" not as a "wahoo you're getting married"

I think you need to think about if this couple are friends or clients. If you socialise with them as well as seeing them in a professional capacity, then I'd say they are friends. If you see them once a week in a purely professional capacity, then they are clients. You can still like a client, be friendly but essentially they are clients, not friends.

Would it be appropriate to give clients an engagement present....no. Would it be appropriate to give friends an engagement present...yes. Would you give a client a painting of their deceased cat.... absolutely not. Would you give a friend a painting of their deceased cat....very much depends on how you think they'd react.

The fact you are not sure on the right choice suggests to me that this couple is a client, and actually you don't know them enough on a personal level. If you did, you'd know which choice to make.

I would like it. Like a few have said I would just make it a general gift though nothing to do with the engagement

You sound very thoughtful OP but I think it's a bit off the mark for an engagement gift or even a card. I don't think it needs to be linked to this and can't think of a good reason why that would be beneficial.

As others have said it does depend how good the painting actually is I think, if the quality and resemblance is there then I would consider giving as a separate gift, with some context such as a note or conversation expressing that I miss the pet and think of her/him often so wanted to paint them, hope you like it but don't feel obliged to keep it if it isn't to your taste type of thing. That takes some of the awkwardness out of it.

I do pet portrait commissions sometimes... I really hate doing ones of animals who have passed, because you really really have to get them perfectly, somehow more so than an animal who is still alive.

So I think unless you can hand on heart say this is professional quality, someone who didn't know the cat would instantly say 'oh yes thats the same cat as in this photo' when faced with both painting and reference image... I would not gift it as an engagement present.

I might.. at some point in the future say 'I painted your cat would you like to see' and then if they like it, they can have it.

You also have to consider that unless you gift something fully mounted and framed, you are giving the recipient a fairly expensive obligation, framing is not cheap.

Sorry but no, I wouldn't want to be gifted a picture of my dead pet, especially as an engagement present. I would find it quite a shock. You're well intentioned but you don't know how it will be received so I just wouldn't risk it.

I would show it to them and say they are welcome to have it, but no problem if they would rather not.

I'm not sure about this. People are often their own worst critics, and are often far more talented than they give themselves credit for!
(That said, I'm sure we all know a few deluded souls).

Honestly, I think it would be a lovely gift, but not for an engagement.

I wouldn’t give it to them, no. The art you hang on your walls is a very personal thing. If they don’t like it, the whole thing is just going to become problematic and embarrassing for all concerned.

I personally wouldn't - one because they might not want a reminder of their cat because it's too painful, and secondly because art is so personal in taste to what someone likes and doesn't.

Don’t do it.

Very sweet of you x

My friend did this for me and it was a lovely, lovely idea.

There will always be oddballs who will find a reason to find something offensive or strange but that's not your problem. A normal person who doesn't like the picture will appreciate the thought, thank you and put it in a cupboard.

Don't allow your life to run along the same lines as the oddballs!

Most amateur art isn’t quite as good as the perpetrator thinks it is.

Some people would love this but for most people I think a picture of their dead cat might not feel like the most joyful engagement present. I wouldn’t gift this at this time.

This is a good idea

I voted YABU as it could potentially be weird, awkward or upsetting for them. It could be lovely for them but I wouldn’t chance it and certainly not gift it as part of their engagement present unless there is prior discussion that they want it.

My DD painted the late dog of one of her friend’s dads in her teens and gifted it to him. 7 years later it is still on the wall behind his desk. I suspect they would love it. I’d love one of mine.