Yoshi Cat Commission

Here's a fun painting of Yoshi, a spoiled cat painted in acrylic on a 10x10 Gallerywrapped Canvas. It sure brightened up my easel throughout all the gloomy weather we've been having lately!.

Sneak Preview - New Pendants

Here's a special, sneak preview of my brand new domino pendants. Keep an eye out for them!. I have to say, I'm particularly fond of the Dachshund & Sushi and Bulldog. If you happen to have a suggestion for the next breed I should illustrate, feel free to drop me an e-mail!.

Available soon @ Kayann Works Gifts

Fox Terrier Commission

I'm very pleased to announce many, brand new, upcoming designs for my domino pendants and earrings. Look forward to them!. Meanwhile, this here is Peanut -- a cute little rescue that strongly resembles a Fox Terrier. The background is very textured on this one, which doesn't show up well on the scan. Acrylic on 8x10 Gallerywrapped Canvas.

"What me?" Commission

Another day, another commission. Loved working with the all warm colours in this one. Acrylic on 8x10 Gallerywrapped Canvas.

New Logo

That's right, Kayann Works has finally gotten a logo change!. This new permanent one is sure to give Kiba an ego boost. It's been in the works for months until I was finally satisfied with the right design. Look forward to brand new packaging and other related updates!. :)

Gwen the Pug Commission

Hope everyone is enjoying the rest of their Labor Day weekend!. This here is a commission of Gwen, a Pug with an irresistibly silly grin. Smush-faced dogs have to be the most entertaining to paint, I always love their expressions. Acrylic on 9x12 Gallerywrapped Canvas.

New Pendants & Earrings

More brand new domino jewelry, featuring my newest illustrations. I'm starting to notice how my designs reflect myself more and more - love of the beach, tropical locations, Asian culture and favourite foods. I'm surprised coffee hasn't worked it's way into my art yet!.

Keep an eye out for them at my Etsy Shop

New Pendants

Whew, it's nice to sit down for a coffee break before starting work again!. Here are four new pendant designs, with many more on the way. They all feature my recently finished illustrations. The Snake has to be my favourite of this particular selection, I'm partial to the bright colours on the smooth pitch black background. :)

Be sure to take a look at my Etsy Shop where they are sold!.

Rain, rain, go away...

Kayti : Do you see this doofus?. I told you he was crazy.

Kiba : La la la..

My little door-rusher, trompin' through the water like the boy he is.
When it rains in Louisiana, it floods.

To Kayti from Kiba

Dear Kayti, Please stop hogging all the toys, I'd really like to play with them too. You've already taken my puppy kong that Heather got me and constantly put my favourite red motorcycle out of reach. You know I can't get to those high places. Also, try to hold yourself back from asking everyone to throw the ball for you once in awhile. The moment you wake up, you barely stumble out of bed before you want to fetch. I'm starting to become concerned at your addiction -- have you tried intervention yet?. P.S. Maybe it's also all those candies that great grandma is giving you. Resist!. I bet they contain a lot of sugar that you don't need. Lots of love, Kiba the Welsh Corgi

Beagle Beach

Just a fun little ACEO I did with the intention of using it as one of my pendants.

Mention in Petcentric

When representatives from Purina's Petcentric contacted me in early May about doing a mention of Kayann Works for their August issue, I was delighted. They conducted a survey between dozens of pet artists and I was thrilled to have a part. Here's their very useful article regarding portraiture that I was quoted in. It was an honour to be reviewed alongside other fantastic artists such as Cyrille Jubert, Renee Grant and too many others to name.

Quoted from Pet Portraits - Full article at Petcentric ... " ... Communicate! Provide details about what your pet likes to do, the funny quirks she has, anything that helps the artist get to know your pet’s personality. You may even want to send a video. A portrait is personal. You should feel a connection to the person who is painting the friend you love. Style over cost: It’s more important to find an artist and style you connect with than it is to get the lowest price. A portrait is something you’ll be looking at for a long time. One of the big reasons people commission a portrait is to have a special lasting memory of their pet. Pet portrait artists often receive requests for portraits after the family dog or cat has passed away. New Orleans artist, Heather LeMay, offers some uplifting advice for pet owners in that situation: “It's my firm belief that a pet no longer with us should be remembered in happier times, which is why a lot of my portraiture turns out vibrant, expressive, quirky and fun…Don't be afraid to branch out and get something colorful or eccentric. When I think of a portrait, I want to smile instead of getting teary eyed!” ... "

Cairn Terrier Commission

Here's adventurous little Cricket. Acrylic on 11x14 hardboard panel.

New ACEOs

I've been dabbling in more ACEO work, which are miniature sized paintings roughly as big as a trading card. Here's two new ones I did over this past week.

I plan on using these designs for my domino pendants, in the near future. :)

Zero Chihuahua Commission

This had to be one of the most enjoyable commissions I've had the opportunity to paint lately. Being a fan of Nightmare Before Xmas myself, I was thrilled when the client requested the background. Acrylic on a 12x12 Gallerywrapped Canvas.

German Shepherd Commission

Just finished this one a couple of days ago for a friend, of their German Shepherd who is no longer with us. Acrylic on gallerywrapped canvas, 8x10.

Tortoiseshell Cat Commission

Finished this a week ago today. The fur was sure tricky, but fun. :)

New set of earrings

Just a shameless little plug to remind you about my new domino earrings. Each are made with sterling silver findings and swarovski crystals, in limited edition sets of 10. Click for larger view.

Located at my Etsy Shop ...

Long Overdue

Well, it's been quite eventful these past few weeks!. I have to begin with thanking Lisa of Bailey Bowls for making such a marvelous, unique sushi platter. When I first saw her work, I immediately asked whether she did customs. I was absolutely ecstatic with the outcome. Lisa was such a wonderful seller to work with and I'd recommend her hand-thrown pottery to anyone.

As you can imagine, Mr. Roo (my affectionate nickname for my #1 Welsh Corgi companion) is quite pleased with himself. Afterall, how many owners can say they have their pet personally engraved on a sushi platter, of all things?. The small symbol in the lower corner of Kiba's outlines is his name in Japanese kanji/calligraphy. How fitting!.

I've also been busy doing more commission work recently, as well as planning an update for Kayann Works website. This here is Rory, a lovely little Boston Terrier (brown!) from the boston_buddies LJ community. Her owner provided some of the nicest photographs to work with, it was very refreshing to do.

I'm going to be very busy these coming weeks, as I have another 3 commissions currently lined up that I'm excited to do!. It'll be a brilliant time, if only I could keep my pendants stocked. :)

Pomeranian Commission

I'm happy how this one came out. Was a very fun piece to do, I hope the client who commissioned it enjoys it for Mothers Day. This little Pom was actually part of a Mardi Gras crew, the reason for the different crown comparing to my other 'spoiled' pieces.

"Pomeranian Commission"
Acrylic on Gallerywrapped Canvas
10x10

Dynamics of a Painting

It's strange how painting works. One moment I can be so unsatisfied, I nearly want to start over. Brushing my paint to canvas, I fix and blend, eventually walking away out of frustration. A completely ruined piece can suddenly come alive with just one simple stroke. One fill of a mistake, one well placed swatch of fur. It is only then that I step back and tilt my head, wondering how it migrated from the disarray it was before.

Boston Terrier Commission

Just finished this commission yesterday and haven't had a chance to post it until now. :) Another two should be on the way, shortly.

"Billie Holiday"
Acrylic on Gallerywrapped Canvas
8x8

Osaka - Fugu fabric

After opening an Etsy shop, I couldn't resist browsing some of the items. Kiba is growing a tad too long to fit in his crate, and I've been wanting to make a nice bed for him. This adorable fabric immediately caught my eye, who can resist blowfish!. I ordered a fat quarter of it today directly from Osaka, Japan.

The only problem I'm having now is being jealous. I've been wanting to try my hand at making a wallet out of scrap fabric and am starting to ponder whether Kiba's bed really needs to be this stylish..