KittenChops Illustration-Heart Opening Energy™

Mother's Day wishes and hugs!

2009-05-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring Engergies!

2009-04-23T16:29:00.001-07:00

Spring has sprung and so have the Easter eggs!

Apartment for rent! Cosy and bright with lot of sunshine.

The Bun family. Mama just had a new baby...

On this picture you can see how the Eggs arrive (in some parts of the world:) during the spring time from the mountains...the Bunnies have been waiting for them....Maybe Mr. Bunny's outfit can be a clue to the particular country... :)

The prettiest Mama Bunny has the cutest eggs!

Hello dear spring flowers, I am fresh out of the Egg!

KattenMelk!

2009-03-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

It was the most adorable surprise to receive this tiny pack of KittenMilk imported from Holland! My dear friend LeiLei's gift. But the most fun part was to see the actual story of the product in its native setting! :)

This is KittenChops too-2!

2009-03-23T16:25:00.001-07:00

I just had the honor of illustrating one of my favorite author's website and blog. Her name is Mary L. Tabor. We had a wonderful creative process working together. All the illustrations are based on Mary's writing/books. If you would like to check out her blog, you can do so here: http://www.maryltabor.blogspot.com/

This is KittenChops too-1!

2009-03-23T16:19:00.000-07:00

This coconut+neroli organic tanning oil label illustration was done for Beautyceauticals. It feels like a new style...maybe getting away from the inked outlines is a good idea?

Amazing feline spirit + grace

2009-02-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

I had the chance to visit Sigfried & Roy's Secret Garden this weekend in Las Vegas. It showcases several varieties of big cats and dolphins. The animals' presence kept me mesmerized as I looked into their eyes through my camera lens....I felt awed by their stunningly gorgeous appearance and humbled by their spirit that seemed to have such power....my heart was in my throat, happily fluttering for a whole afternoon.

SUPER SQUISHY kitten paw key cap from Japan!

2008-11-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

This key cap was a gift from my friend Satoko (who is also responsible for my Japanese name: Nekoyama!) While she was visiting Tokyo late summer she spotted a capsule toy machine (gashapon) and immediately knew how much I would love a squishy cat paw key cap souvenir!!!
This is Satoko's umbrella shop site with the most amazing umbrellas you have ever seen:http://www.pareumbrella.com/store/default.aspx

Alpaca Sunday In Washington state

2008-11-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

How cute are alpacas!? The CUTEST! :)
If you like them too, you can see more photos I took here:
http://www.kittenchops.com/AlpacaSunday/index.htm
Did you know that "alpaca fiber is classified as a rare specialty fiber and that it is five times warmer than sheep’s wool and more luxurious than cashmere! " This is the farm's website:
http://www.moonshadowalpacas.com/

KittenChops interview in Precious Magazine (in Japan! :) "Life is so Precious"

2008-08-18T19:34:00.001-07:00

This is the article above and the magazine cover below:

The interview questions I still remember were:

-What do you have in your purse that you do not leave home without? Toothbrush.
- Do you have a lucky charm? No.
-What is the best thing you did in your twenties? Discover/get on track with my graphic design career.
-What is the best compliment someone can give you about your work?
It makes them happy!

As far as the rest goes, I hope you have reading knowledge of Japanese and can read it yourself :)

Photography by the super amazing Rodrogo de Maideros. http://www.ratedr.rodrigod.com/

New illustration, see the inspiration :)

2008-07-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

This is a promo illustration I have recently made for a company making baby slings. And below is my blond bebe and mama photo from a long time ago.... :)

Icon 5 Illustration conference Wall

2008-07-06T21:20:00.001-07:00

At the Icon conference in NYC there was a huge wall/board space where you could just stop by and draw/paint anything. This was my ("whipped cream kitteh") and Suzie Roo's ("Lucy") contribution. Single arm stand girl is by Fernanda Cohen. Elephant by Christine Ohara Hale .

Jeff Koons sculptures in NYC

2008-07-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

This is "Sacred Heart", "Balloon Dog" and "Coloring Book" by Jeff Koons, on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum's rooftop garden in NYC. (Gorgeous views of Manhattan and Central Park in the background). I just saw these sculptures during my MET visit in NYC while attending the Icon 5 illustration conference. Supercool and very inspiring!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to UUU :)

2008-05-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

My wish for you/the sentiment inside the card (to be read in a cute singsong voice): "May you be as happy as a fresh strawberry on the kitten cake of life." xoxoxo! ^..^

Spring color energy!

2008-04-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend I have visited the tulip fields by Mount Vernon in WA. The colors and the beauty of the flowers was delightful! See more pictures here: http://www.kittenchops.com/tulipweb/index.htm

Theo Chocolate (in KC packaging) on the Today show :)

2008-02-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

Go green this Valentine’s Day
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23110662#23110662

New Tasty flavors from 3400 Phinney Chocolates!

2008-02-07T15:46:00.001-08:00

Check out these yummy treats! Hazelnut crunch is so tasty... and Fig fennel is elegantly flirty!

Illustrations for the Art with Heart "Art Buddy" Book

2008-01-27T17:17:00.000-08:00

I have just finished creating illustrations for the "Art Buddy" manual , which will teach creatives how to use their talent to give back to their community. This manual will encourage even more adults to take an active part in helping under-served children." Find out more, see if you would like to participate as well:
http://www.artwithheart.org/

Korean Kim Chee story

2007-11-25T18:26:00.000-08:00

This illustration is for a short story by Jenny Kim about a Korean immigrant girl trying to find her identity in the USA.

"Nobody “told” me that the woman in the family serves herself last. I watched my mother bustle around the kitchen after rushing in from a full day of work, not even taking time to change her clothes. When the When the dinner was ready, she would scoop a heaping mound of fresh, hot rice for my father first, then my younger brother, then me. Then she’d scrape together a small handful from the bottom of the rice cooker and take the smallest piece of fish for herself, insisting she wasn’t hungry. When I was younger and couldn’t finish my food, I’d give my plate to my mother, not realizing what I was doing. I was giving my mother the leftovers, something she grew up with as a postwar Korean female—the generation that knew firsthand that things, dignity, family, and friends, peace, and national unity, could be taken away at any instant, and that woman were taught to put themselves last. Hearing about her impoverished childhood made my eyes sting, my privileged conscience uneasy, and my own childhood stories pale by comparison. For her, scraping the rice pot sometimes yielded nothing, an humble survival came down to accepting leftovers from your own—it was one of few constants provided in the former precarious world of hers. (old habits are hard to break.) Yet, my mother told me not to stand there with both hands open, meekly waiting for things do happen. An ambitious and generous woman, she even chose the name Debbie(meaning “industrious”) when she immigrated to the U.S. Nothing gets accomplished sitting down, she says. I was left with this contradiction and a half-eaten bowl of rice. Watching, waiting, and never understanding."

KittenChops at Licensing Asia TOKYO ^,,^

2007-11-15T00:18:00.000-08:00

I just got back form my favorite city in the world, Tokyo. I have exhibited my work at the the Licensing Asia show. It was fantastic to be in such a fun, creative environment with many talented artists and all the big players. I am now working on following up with some potential Japanese clients. Superspecial thanks to my dear friends: Cindy and LeiLei and my onee-chan/translator: Motoko.
You can check out the few photos I have from this trip! :)

Pawses II

2007-10-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

New and cuter! Thank you to Hana-chan, Ruby and red neighbor kitteh who have contributed the fur photos that turned into the new Pawses characters. I have also updated my TREATS page on my website so you can download some super fresh KittenChops desktops! www.kittenchops.com/treats.htm

KittenChops for IPOP magnets

2007-10-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have just received my sample box of magnets from iPOP! So much fun!!! ^,,^ Of course the package had to pass inspection by the home safety supervisors: Mitsu and Cicka! :)

Illustrations for Wild Dill

2007-10-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

These illustrations for Wild Dill an online Children's Organic Clothing store are made with a new style and technique. I usually work/collage in Photoshop but this time I wanted to create a softer and more gentle look and tried out Illustrator. So here are some cute bugs living in the meadow in the shade of some fragrant dill flowers :)

You are sweeter than jub-jubs (gulab jamun)...

2007-10-11T02:14:00.000-07:00

Gulab jamun (gul-aab jaa-mun) is a popular South Asian dessert, made of a dough consisting mainly of milk solids, (often including double cream and a little flour) in a sugar syrup flavored with cardamom seeds and rosewater or saffron.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulab_jamun

Love you more than I love cake!

2007-10-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Check out the new pastel palate...very elegant for a kitteh wedding! :) Mouse is peeking out from behind the cake and snaps a photo of the happy couple. Fur texture is kindly provided by Cicka and Hana (Satoko's kitten).

I like you painting

2007-09-26T16:03:00.001-07:00

I liked the I LIKE YOU illustration I have done for Madison Park Greetings so much that I made it into a painting on canvas! It is 36x48. It was so much fun to paint with acrylic! I would love to do more paintings and have a show.