Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Hana

Size: 8 x 10 inches
Medium: Acrylic
Support: Ampersand Gessobord

This is Hana. She passed on in January 2009. About 8 years ago, she started to show up in our backyard and spent all day sleeping in one of my flower pots. Every time we brought food to her, she hissed and tried to bite. One day, we brought her indoor and she immediately turned into a very friendly cat. She had never hissed at us after that. We concluded that what Hana really wanted was a home. Although she never liked other cats much, she loved human contact. We don't know her age. Her vet thinks she was an old cat when she passed.

42 comments:

Mona Diane Conner said...

Wow! Another stunning cat portrait! This is such an appealing pose, and I like how the shadow passes over one eye in this one. It's a very interesting story about Hana shifting personality upon entering your home.

Is there a significance in Japanese to the name Hana, like Shiro?

Mona Diane Conner said...

Akiko, I forgot to add that I am so sorry, too, for the loss of Hana is so recent.

Also wanted to let you know that in looking over your work I saw a larger version of your painting of the three cats sunning themselves, and it is a great one also. I was impressed by how you caught that wonderful, peaceful, closed-eye expression cats always have, and the light is also wonderful in that painting.

artbyakiko said...

Mona thank you so much for such wonderful comments on my Hana and Sunbather paintings. In Japanese, Hana means flowers. My husband named her. Maybe because she took over one of my flower pots... lol

Mona Diane Conner said...

That's so perfect!

Unknown said...

Again... mentioning that sweet hubby of yours. Hana's painting is amazing Akiko. All your works are treasures.

artbyakiko said...

Sheila thank you so much!! :)

adebanji said...

You should be the real "Catwoman"

Great piece!

artbyakiko said...

Adebanji thank you. "Catwoman" sounds great!

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

I am so sorry about Hana Akiko! She looks just like my Charlie who is 18 yrs. now. So hard to lose them at any age.

Beautiful, beautiful portrait! I love the richness of Hana and her background. You truly have no equal!

Michelle said...

Your portrait of Hana is beautiful! What a lovely way to honor her! You are the catwoman...and such a master at fur and eyes!

James Parker said...

It's nice to know that your loving care softened "la corizon" of hard-hearted Hana. I think the same treatment could soften a couple of human hissers I know..Great work. P.S. I'm getting comments now, but I had to disable word verification.

Kathleen Coy said...

Akiko, I'm so sorry to hear about Hana. ((Hugs!)) This portrait is amazing. I love the light and shadow, and how you rendered the fur, especially on her arms. It's perfect!

dominique eichi said...

Oh you are such a master at showing your love of these beautiful creatures. Hana was loved and your work show it.
You are both beautiful !

Dean H. said...

What can I say???....Beautiful...gorgeous ...and all the other superlative adjectives!

artbyakiko said...

Gail, thank you! Charlie is lucky to have you and 18 years old! What an accomplishment for Charlie! All the best to you and him.

artbyakiko said...

Michelle thanks for your compliments! :)

artbyakiko said...

James, a nice and soft bed mostly softened her heart, not us. lol
Good to hear that your comments are working. Will be over there later.

artbyakiko said...

Kathleen thank you so much! (Hugs back).

artbyakiko said...

Dominique thanks for your kind remarks on Hana and me!!

artbyakiko said...

Dean thanks for your visit and wonderful commment!!

Debra Keirce said...

Akiko - the lighting on this piece is stunning! Hana reminds me of a cat I had for 18 yrs. Her name was Chelsie (after the On Golden Pond character.) She looked like your Hana, but she was mean and ornery till the day she passed, but I kept her just because I knew no one else would.

Melody Lea Lamb said...

Akiko...you just continue to take my breath away with your beautiful work!!
~Mel

artbyakiko said...

Deb thank you. Your Chelsie was so lucky to have found you. 18 years are a big accomplishment!

artbyakiko said...

Mel thanks for your compliments!! :)

Amanda Lovett said...

Wow this is fantastic!! You nailed the lighting,,, you can almost see him breathing!!!!
Thanks for the kind words on my blog!! It really means a lot!!

artbyakiko said...

Amanda thank you so much for your visit!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful Akiko, she looks very content. Your lighting is exquisite!

artbyakiko said...

Sam thank you so much!! :)

Ingrid said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your sweet Hana, Akiko. She was a lucky kitty to have had such a good home. Interesting to hear her story.
Your portrait of Hana is gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous...the play of shadow and light. It just invites you in, wanting to give Hana a little pat or scratch.
=0) Ingrid

artbyakiko said...

Ingrid thank you so much for checking out Hana! She really was a sweet girl.

Art By Erika said...

Akiko if there's an afterlife, I want to come back as a cat - your cat! You pay such wonderful tribute to your babies. You make living and passing away so special for these little ones. You very loving person you. Hana looks so cuddly and lovable.

artbyakiko said...

Erika thank you. To join our clan, you must be a homeless cat first though.;)

Vern Schwarz said...

Akiko, sorry to hear that you lost another friend. Your portrait of her is stunning and so lifelike, that it's like I feel her presence.

artbyakiko said...

Vern thank you so much for your visit and wonderful comment!

Hillary Miller said...

I love the play of light and shadow, and the infinite detail and tenderness given to her.

artbyakiko said...

Hillary thank you so much!! :)

Melody Lea Lamb said...

I love this one Akiko! She looks so much like my feral turned lap kitty of ten years. Let me know if you ever make prints of Hana. :)

artbyakiko said...

Thank you Mel! Prints are already available on my website store. :)

Melody Lea Lamb said...

Thanks Akiko...headed over now. :)

Dean Grey said...

This is so good, I almost think it's not possible....but it is!

Another incredible job here, Akiko! Hana is smiling down at this one.

I wish I could give some really profound feedback but this painting is so unbelievable there's nothing really to add.

PERFECTION!!

-Dean

artbyakiko said...

Dean thanks!!

Carmen Diez said...

Very good painting!!!

Beautiful, Tanks!!!!

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