Let’s be honest. Cats have got this whole ‘being themselves’ thing down to an art form. Whether they’re loafing in a sunbeam, doing full parkour at 3 AM, or giving you their famous slow blink from across the room, every cat has their own way of communicating.
Their own little quirks. Their own stubborn, sweet, mysterious personality.
And if you ask me, that’s exactly what makes painting cats such a joy.
My cat portraits aren’t just about cute faces (although I do love a pink nose and twitchy whiskers). They’re about capturing your cat’s energy. The expressions. The silliness. The softness. The sass. Whether they’re a lap-cat or a curtain-climber, every single one has something special, and I absolutely love bringing that to life on wall art canvas.
So if you’ve been thinking about commissioning a pet portrait of your favourite feline friend, here’s a little look at how it works, what makes my cat art unique, and why these pieces become more than just decoration - they become part of the family.
Why I Paint Cats
Because cats are walking personalities with fur, that’s why.
Seriously, though, cats have a presence. They move like liquid, pose like models, and manage to express entire monologues with a single flick of the tail. As someone who spends a lot of time studying animals (and talking to them while I work), I’ve noticed that cats are all about the small details.
The slight head tilt. The paw tucked under. The sideways glance when you interrupt their nap. These are the things I love to pick up on and bring into my paintings.
When I paint a cat portrait, I’m not just painting how they look - I’m painting how they feel. How do they behave? How they exist in the world on their own little terms.
How My Cat Portrait Comes Together
Every custom cat portrait starts with a photo (or a few, if you’re like most people and have a phone full of them). I always say, choose one where the eyes are clear, that’s where the magic happens. But don’t worry, if you’ve only got older images or blurry ones, I can still work with them. Sometimes the most-loved photos aren’t the perfect ones, and that’s okay.
Once I’ve got the images, you’ll tell me a bit about your cat. Are they cuddly or aloof? A hunter or a homebody? Do they always sit with one paw sticking out like a question mark? Do they chatter at the birds or demand breakfast at exactly 5:37 AM every morning?
All of this helps me get a sense of who they are, and that’s what I want to come through in the final piece.
My Cat Portrait Style: A Splash of Colour, A Whole Lot of Character
If you’ve seen any of my animal art before, you’ll know I don’t shy away from colour. I love bold backgrounds, flowing paint, and hand-drawn geometric patterns that give each piece energy and movement.
Cat portraits are no exception. Depending on your kitty’s personality, I might work with soft pastels for the dreamier types or bold, jewel tones for the more dramatic divas. The eyes are always the focus, that’s where I spend the most time, layering in detail until they look right back at you.
Some cats have a knowing gaze, others have that wide-eyed curiosity, and some just look like they’ve seen things (and aren’t telling anyone). Whatever it is that makes your cat who they are, that’s what I aim to capture.
A Few Purr-sonal Favourites
Over the years, I’ve had the joy of painting all kinds of cats - snoozy seniors, cheeky kittens, diva queens, and cuddle monsters. Every one of them brings something completely different to the canvas, and I love discovering those little quirks that make each portrait shine.
Take Franklin, for example. He’s a big, fluffy lad with a rumble of a purr you can feel in your bones. Honestly, he doesn’t walk, he glides. Franklin’s the kind of cat who fills a room with calm and comfort just by being in it. I gave him a bold, vibrant backdrop to match his generous spirit, filled with deep colours and soft edges that mirror his gentle nature. His canvas makes such a warm, welcoming statement, the sort of animal artwork that instantly makes a house feel like home.
Then there’s the cat portrait of Lady Marmalade. Lady M is a small cat with a massive voice. She’s got soul, sass, and stage presence, and I swear she channels disco divas on the regular. Her portrait practically sings off the wall, loud colours, dynamic pattern work, and a real sense of movement, like she’s just stepped into the spotlight. It’s one of those framed canvases that demands attention (and gets it). Every time I walk past her, I can almost hear her belting out a tune and calling the neighbours in for a Sunday-night garden concert.
Each of these pieces of animal art tells their own little story. It’s not just about how they look - it’s how they feel. These cats have personality by the bucketload, and being able to capture that on wall art canvas is one of my absolute favourite things. Every time one goes off to its new home, I know it’s going to bring a smile, spark a memory, or start a conversation.
Where Do Cat Portraits Look Best?
Honestly, anywhere you want to see your cat’s face a little more than you already do. Which, let’s face it, is everywhere.
Some of my customers hang their cat portraits in the living room, above the fireplace or next to their favourite reading chair. Others choose a place in the hallway so their cat is always there to greet them. And a few tuck them in cosy corners, beside scratching posts or near sunny spots where their real-life cat likes to nap.
I’ve even had people create memory walls with pet portraits of past pets, framed together as part of their family’s story. Those commissions are some of the most meaningful ones I’ve ever worked on.
Framed, Canvas, or Print?
My cat portraits come in a few different formats, depending on what suits your space:
Framed Canvas Wall Art: Bold, ready-to-hang, and perfect for making a statement. Comes with a black floating frame that gives a gallery feel.
Framed Wall Art Print: Framed prints are great for building a gallery wall or adding to a bedroom or office. Available in black, white, or natural wood frames.
Unframed Fine Art Print: A lovely choice if you want to pick your own frame. Printed on high-quality 200 gsm paper using giclée inks that stay bright for years.
Whichever you choose, the colours will stay vibrant, the details will hold, and the personality will shine through.
The Purr-fect Gift
A custom cat portrait makes an incredibly thoughtful gift, especially for someone who adores their feline friend. Whether it's a birthday, a moving present, or a way to honour a much-loved pet that’s passed on, these pieces mean something real.
They’re not just pretty pictures. They’re reminders of companionship, of comfort, of tiny paws and warm purrs and of the quiet presence that only a cat can bring.
Want One of Your Own Cat Portraits?
Here’s how it works. I open up custom portrait slots twice a year, and they tend to go quickly. The best way to grab a spot is to pop your name on my waiting list. That way, you’ll be the first to know when bookings go live, and trust me, your cat will thank you for it (probably with a slow blink or a tail flick).
Once your slot is confirmed, we’ll chat through photos, colours, and all the little quirks that make your cat special. I’ll take it from there - paintbrush in hand, heart full, ready to bring your whiskered wonder to life.
So, whether your cat is a cuddly sidekick, a dramatic diva, or an aloof mystery, there’s a cat portrait waiting to be painted and I’d be honoured to do it.
Let’s celebrate those quirks in full colour.
Join the waiting list or explore my cat artwork collection.
