I wanted to create something in memory of my first cat, Kitsune. He was weird, fluffy, loving, awkward, the best fluffernut pantalooned cat anyone could hope for, my boy. I’ll really miss him. It’s a small gift that he made it to such an old age, and lived so cared for. My parents and I all took turns hand feeding him, special little cut up pieces of chicken cooked to perfection. Benches in beautiful gardens to sun himself, trees to climb and weird dogs to protect him. My first cat, first real companion that felt like mine, even though he claimed us all. He slept on my lap at my computer, or behind me on the chair, always on my bed at night or somewhere in the room, I knew because I’d hear his gentle snores. He modeled for me often, letting me paint and draw him in sunny spots or in the garden. He attacked me many times and I have the scars to prove it! Love bites I will never forget.

I wanted to make something small and sweet, a little reminder of him. I had some polymer clay I keep meaning to play with and figured now was as good a time as any. I looked through my cupboard of art supplies which is full of things that look interesting and I don’t have a use for yet, or old mementos and second hand things I’ve bought for reuse. I found some tiny box frames which always inspire me but never enough to do anything about. This time was different. They looked perfect for some 3D elements.

Next to the drawing board. I knew I wanted kitsune in the frame, and I thought him in the garden was a good idea. He loved it, smelling flowers and watching the birds and butterflies. He deserves an eternal garden spot. I thought including all the flowers and plants we have in our garden would be nice. Bougainvillia, black eyed suzies, succulents, blue sage and lavendar. I draw them often.

I sketched a few different body shapes to see what would work, and settled on a simple seated pose with his tail covering his toes. His most common. So regal. I did some vague sketches of where the plants would go, but I knew I’d have to wing it because I wasn’t sure how small I’d be able to sculpt yet. It’s been a while since I’ve worked in Polymer clay and it was always a nightmare. Why did I choose to use it, you ask? Good question, I’d like the answer too.

I chose to keep Kitsune quite simple in the sculpt stage and paint in detail. I just wanted him sweet and fluffy. Basicall an egg shape, two triangle ears, a small round snoot and a huge tail sausage. Those are technical sculpting terms. The leaves and flowers were made from thing rolled out sausages cut into discs, then flattened, curled, twisted and stuck together. The thing with polymer clay is you can’t really… sculpt it. Smooth it out or texture it, or add any detail like you would in river clay. You kinda just have to make shapes that look right and stick them together.

I really liked his tail hanging over the edge of the frame, and it inspired me to add plants around the edge as well, even though my original idea was to fill the inside of the frame spilling out. I liked this a little better.

All the pieces had to be taken off the frame and put on a silicone mat to put in the oven for baking. I had some clay left over so I made 3 teeny cat beans to represent my other cats.

I also tried making some worry stones, by pushing my thumb into a ball of clay and rounding the edges. I really liked these, they still have my finger print in the middle, and it feels nice to the touch.

The one has cat ears, obviously.

Necessary quality inspection before after baking.

The painting begins.

I ended up choosing the cream frame instead, which I think makes the colors pop more. The composition is also looking much better.