This conceptual charcoal drawing by St. Louis, MO-based artist Kaonis Thomas of KAONISFINEARTS captures Bean, a male, short-haired, fawn Chihuahua.

Bean, born July 2012, was the runt of a litter of four.  He has never used a leash, house trained immediately and absolutely fearless.  Bean is tiny but mighty and he  fulfills all of the snuggles desired by his owner.

Bean was the winner of a Halloween costume contest sponsored by Mattress Dogzzz of Saint Louis.  

This drawing illustrates an adaptation of the attached spider legs costume sported by Bean during the 2024 Halloween festivities. 

Meet Maggie, the matriarch of the neighborhood said the owner Debra.  Everybody loved her here on Peyton Place. Maggie came from heaven to us and returned to heaven 18 years later.  Maggie, said Debra, came to us at the age of 5 and she has been by our side for the rest of time. Maggie enjoyed taking vacations, dressing for Halloween, running loose on the farm and playing with the grandkids. Maggie will always be remembered as a loved family member. 

     A charcoal masterpiece by Kaonis Thomas, "Gratitude" is a heartfelt tribute to the Clark family for their unwavering support of the arts and culture community. This 24"x18" drawing is a testament to the power of gratitude and its ability to inspire creativity and enrich our lives.

     Gratitude is more than a sentiment; it's the lifeblood of the arts. It's the hidden force that fuels creativity, the spark that ignites inspiration. Artists, through their works, express a profound appreciation for the beauty, diversity, and transformative power of culture.

     The creative process itself is an act of gratitude, a way of honoring the world's wonders and the experiences that shape us. From the selection of various paint mediums, numerous textured surfaces, mark making materials to the articulated brushstrokes that transport us to distant realms, art offers a sanctuary for reflection, connection, and personal growth.

     By embracing the creative spirit and nurturing a sense of gratitude, we enrich our lives and discover a profound sense of wonder.

Say hello to Olli, aka Ollivander, the sassiest of tabby cats - a ginger :-) Olli found his forever home when he was just 8 weeks old in 2019 after he was rescued from a kitty mill in Seattle, Washington. 

Sadly, Olli's time with his family was cut short after just 5 years when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He crossed the rainbow bridge on Sept 27, 2024. 

Olli was a sweet boy - he loved playing fetch with his toy mouse; he was always ready for a cuddle and nap; he loved sitting by an open window to keep an eye on the neighborhood; he loved taking walks in the backyard to catch crickets, fire flies and even birds; he could never have enough cookies (aka 'treats'); he enjoyed wrestling with his brother. Olli was a shy boy around most, but once he warmed up to you, he was a sweet boy.   

Olli wasn't just a cat - he was a family member - his family will always remember him as a sassy, sweet boy who was taken far too early. 

Kaonis Thomas, a talented American artist,  rendered a beautiful charcoal pet portrait titled "WYLDER."

Wylder, born on April Fool’s Day 2012, earned his name by outshining his siblings with his lively spirit.  Trained as a therapy dog, he proved brilliant and loyal with a calmness that surpassed all others.  

Due to Mark’s busy travel schedule, Wylder found a happy home with his sister's family, sharing his love with their two daughters.  He had a special bond with children, enjoying simple moments in their company.  

Remembered fondly, Wylder lived a full life, passing away at the age of 84, forever cherished as a beloved family member.

First Challenge of the day: 14SEP2024

Draw Floppy on location at Mattress Dog in St. Louis with store visitors as audience and Therapy dogs everywhere. Loads of fun and so many lovely, special dogs

Second Challenge of the day: 14SEP2024

Force myself to draw Floppy from iphone photograph with a 5 hour time limit. 

GOT IT DONE !!!

Meet Maggie, the matriarch of the neighborhood said the owner Debra.  Everybody loved her here on Peyton Place. Maggie came from heaven to us and returned to heaven 18 years later.  Maggie, said Debra, came to us at the age of 5 and she has been by our side for the rest of time. Maggie enjoyed taking vacations, dressing for Halloween, running loose on the farm and playing with the grandkids. Maggie will always be remembered as a loved family member. 

 Presenting a touching tribute to White, the Turkish Angora, through a stunning charcoal drawing by artist Kaonis Thomas..  White, a beloved companion owned by Mike of California, lived a remarkable 23 years, showcasing the beauty of a Turkish Angora's friendly and sociable nature.  Commission a PET PORTRAIT today and immortalize your furry friend's essence in art. 

Immortalizing memories in art captures and preserves the essence of moments, emotions, and connections, transforming them into tangible, lasting expressions.  Pet Portraits not only honors the subject but also allows future generations to experience and connect with these memories in a profound way.

Your relationships established with pets will never be forgotten.  I smile when I think about pets throughout my life.  I’ve owned dogs, cats, snakes, turtles, iguanas. Maybe my love for animals is motivating me to establish a Pet Portrait drawing Business. 

The creative challenge for this pet portrait consisted of incorporating the owner.  I believe adding people into pet portraits makes the art more special and more valuable.  Art is an investment that appreciates in value. 

A differentiator for me is my ability to draw people and pets equally well.  I am a diverse fine artist, but creating pet portraits is a great way to stay busy creating art, sustain creative skills, meet interesting people, meet interesting pets, explore creative challenges with the elements of art, such as, composition.

The German Shepard, known for its loving nature and trainability, requires ample mental stimulation and exercise to thrive.  Owning this breed can be a fulfilling yet time intensive experience, they love to play.

 Reflecitng  on my German Shepard, I cherish memories of long walks, engaging conversations and spirited play sessions.  Each day with him was a joyful adventure.  Today, I create Pet Portraits and I am pursuing Pet owners and animal lovers that would love to commission a professional, beatiful drawing of their treasured family member.  PETS ARE SPECIAL !!!

My mother told me I have a new little sister.  Of course, my mind shifted to KJV, Genesis 21. Lol.  Then she said her name is Paris.  

Fast forward a year, I took a photograph of Paris in order to practice animal drawing as Pet Portraits.  This is my drawing of Paris, she is spoiled rotten and thinks she is human.  Both, my mother and Paris, smiled when I revealed the framed drawing of my little sister.

I have decided to market KAONISFINEARTS as a Pet Portrait business project  because I enjoyed drawing animals and people love their pets..  This is my first official Pet Portrait Commission.