An ongoing series of commissioned pet portraits done in a technique known as scratchboard. Scratchboard is not a photograph. Developed in the 1800s, it is a form of hand-illustrated engraving that is making a resurgence in the fine-art world. A masonite panel is covered with white Kaolin clay, followed by a thin layer of black India ink. Using a small blade, I "scratch" away the black ink, exposing a variable degree of white clay underneath and creating a highly-detailed and nuanced portrait that can last forever.
Feel free to write me through the Contact page here or directly at jenniferkayartist@gmail.com if you are interested in discussing a portrait! Portraits start at $900 for an 8x10" size, featuring one animal, and can take 2-4 weeks to be completed. Larger sizes include a 9x12” and an 11x14” (a menu of sizes and prices is available upon request). Have a beloved feline or horse companion? All species deserve some love; contact me and I’d love to create something special for you or a loved one!
Enjoy your visit here!
Labrador Retriever; 11x14”
8x10”
Feline; 8x10”
Chihuahua mix; 8x10”
Golden Retriever, 8x10”
Savannah cat (domestic x serval (wild African cat)); 8x10”
German Shepherd (blind since birth); 8x10”
Mixed breed/Rescue; 8x10".
English Springer Spaniel, 9x12".
Husky/Shepherd mix; 8x10".
Mixed breed, 8x10".
Husky; 8x10"
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Chihuahua Mix; 11x14".
Framed portrait sent by her owner for me to see the final result. Love his choices!
Chow/Cattle Dog Mix; 8x10"
Chocolate Labrador Retriever; 8x10"
Pug; 8x10"
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; 8x10”
A favorite medium of mine for natural history paintings and illustrations.
The first of a series of lake map paintings starting in the Minnesota and Wisconsin region, Prior Lake is a beloved and popular destination on the southwest side of the Twin Cities, MN. Hand-painted, hand-drawn, using a variety of reference materials to reflect artistic accuracy in the depths of the lakes as well as the surrounding terrain. An elegant way to connect with a hometown, a favorite vacation spot, or a place visited once — all that left great memories to treasure.
Privately commissioned for my client’s family cabin on the shores of the Chippewa Flowage. She was looking for something technically accurate and yet more artistic than the typical fold-out. My first attempt at a watercolor map and it has inspired me to create more. 24”x18'“.
Enteroctopus dofleini. Inspired by the specimen at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, this was painted on a scrap piece of black mat board. 4x4".
Ardea herodias. Along with the Sandhill Cranes, part of a private commission. 16x23".
Grus canadensis. Private commission. 16x23".
Painted on black mat board, this piece was created to illustrate the various shapes, colors and sizes found among deep-sea jellies. 22x15".
Thaumoctopus mimicus. Created for an educational display, the octopus and fish were painted in gouache, with text digitally added later.
Private commission of the client's hunting dog. 16x23".
Traditional botanical dissection plate rendered in gouache and graphite. 11x14".
Aix sponsa. Private commission.
Privately commissioned by co-workers for a marine biologist who had worked tirelessly for the education, conservation and research of marine animals around the state of Florida. It was requested that her favorite species have special attention; they were rendered in full color. 16x23".
The Sweet Lines collection - a series of casual but elegant sketches that embody and embrace sensuality, intimacy and connection. An ongoing series that will have continual new sketches added. Prints available for purchase in the Print Shop.
Pen and ink is how professional illustration all started for me. I enjoy the stippling technique, and do layer upon layer to get details of form and shading accurate.
Eurypelma sp.. 8.5x10".
One of four in a privately-commissioned series, highlighting trees around Madison, WI that the client had always loved. Each was picked for its personality to shine in a specific season. 23x16".
Privately commissioned by a marine mammal trainer at the Shedd, highlighting his favorite specific animals, along with the iconic front steps of the Aquarium itself. 15x22".
Value study for a future painting.
Molucella laevis. Graphite on coquille board.
A range of subjects and purposes, from private commissions to educational exhibits and biomedical research.
Cutaway rendering based on textual descriptions found in marine research, imagining the hydrostatic pressure still maintained. Spines were rendered in graphite, organs digitally rendered.
Five of 20 fish identifications created for the Shedd Aquarium's Amazon exhibit. (Copyright John G. Shedd Aquarium, used with permission)
One of a series commissioned to illustrate research performed on bacterial symbiosis with the epithelium of the squid.
A broken-down map of our solar system's location within our home galaxy.
Educational illustration.
Educational illustration.
Informational handout.
Illustrations created for a variety of medical clients, both human and veterinary.
Commissioned pieces for a veterinary reproductive physiologist; 13x24” each, pen and ink; 2018.
13x24”; pen and ink; 2018.
Basis for series of illustrations showing potential wound healing techniques.
Illustrating the use of a free auricular cartilage graft to repair an oronasal fistula in a canine, as well as the placement of the cartilage and the sutures.
Illustrating the angle of suture in relation to a damaged cranial cruciate ligament in a canine, and the placement of suture through the proximal tibia and fabella; pen and ink.
Illustrating the surgical stabilization and placement of pins for a broken humerus in a whooping crane.
Basis for a series of illustrations showing correct angles for ultrasound imaging.
One of two activity/coloring books commissioned to educate children about the importance of veterinary medicine.
