“Her Cat’s Cradle” 2.5×3.5 inches watercolor
This a deal that developed during the DSDF Portrait project. I have always admired Akiko Watanabe’s work – it’s nothing short of EXCELLENT. Her attention to details that is always done with such care and impeccable skills. Her love for animals is always manifested through each one of her creations. Here is her website http://www.akiko-watanabe.com/index.html and here is her blog http://artbyakiko.blogspot.com/ prepare to be knocked over 🙂
So I see Akiko as an angel, most especially cats. This is why I thought I’d paint her with wings. And a pair of hands with the cat’s cradle string position to symbolize that cats find comfort with her. I tried with my limited knowledge of cat shapes to paint 15 cats on her shirt. This number symbolizes an important figure to her which I will let her own. It’s a miniature piece of art, but it’s the biggest hug I can send right now and made with love for dear Akiko xxx
By the way, a note to my email subscribers. I didn’t realize the printing some text in blue in my previous post was not a good thing since it’s hard to read oopsie sorry about that!
The glamorous life and times of an artist!
OMG!!!! My eyes are big as saucers because I think you did an OUTSTANDING JOB! From the portraits I’ve seen it is dead on Akiko. You are AWESOME! [okay my eye are back to normal now]
Nice teenie tiny portrait, Erikie! Akiko’s work is amazing. Dang I wish I could do that.
Sheila you crack me up you’re too sweet! But thank you so much for your compliments and support always 🙂
Raspberryfruggy, what a surprise to see you in my blog! Silly fruggy, you are a wonderful artist and you so know it!
What a beautiful portrait of me! Thank you Erika. When I saw this post, I could not stop crying. You are so sweet! These 15 cats will always be with me. They are my precious angles. I hope to be an angel for each cat that I meet as in this beautiful painting.
dammit. some glitch made me lose my wonderful comment. Great painting. would make a great study for a larger version.
FIFTEEN cats in that small space…whooooo. that’s a challenge!
Wow…Fantastic Erika!! Stunning work and brilliantly symbolic!
Akiko I’m so glad you approve I didn’t mean to make you cry though awwww 🙁 I would have mailed it today but I had a couple meetings today so I’ll mail it Monday 😉 You are an angel to cats and all the animals you help with your donations using your art!
Vickilou I think the glitch happens when more than one thing is happening to the blog at the same time.
Glad you like, Akiko and I are regular miniature artists so we know the value of having a small format and what a gem they are. That’s why we both determined to do this teenie weenie 🙂
Always positive thanks so much Theresa!
Lucky Akiko! I love your thought to all the elements of the piece, and your fabulous detail of those tiny tiny cats. What a beautiful piece of art!
Hi Hillary thank you for the kind words. It really humbles me because I know Akiko would have done a knock out job on the “cats” I painted in that tend to look like white mice lol
Hi Erika- I recognize that face! :>) Love the symbolism- you did an awesome job with all of the little details on such a tiny piece!
Hi Tom you honor me with this comment thanks so much! I regard you as an Akiko Watanabe master portrait painter, because your painting of her is simply lovely!