JmurArt in Chesapeake, Virginia
Custom Cat Portraits
Turn the cat who rules the room into original artwork with color, character, and a point of view all their own.
A familiar presence
Make room for the cat who makes the rules.
Cats have a way of making ordinary moments feel like part of a private ceremony. There is the look from the windowsill, the exact place they claim on the bed, the sudden sprint down the hallway, or the unspoken expectation that your lap is now occupied. A custom cat portrait gives those little rituals a lasting place in your home.
Joseph Murphy creates original cat portraits through JmurArt, his Chesapeake studio. Your photographs are the starting point, then his saturated color, graphic marks, and expressive energy carry the piece into something made to live on the wall. The result keeps the details the people who love your cat recognize immediately, while still feeling like a work of art rather than a copied snapshot.
More than a cute picture
Let their particular kind of strange come through.
The cats we love are rarely just calm, photogenic little creatures. They can be dignified, dramatic, intensely curious, quietly affectionate, or completely committed to knocking one object off the table at a time. Those contradictions are exactly what make a portrait feel personal. The point is not to make every cat look polished and interchangeable. It is to bring forward the mood and attitude that make yours impossible to confuse with anyone else’s.
JmurArt is a strong fit when you want color and personality in the finished piece. Joseph works from the facial markings, eye color, pose, and energy in your reference photos, then responds with his own unmistakable visual style. Spend time in the Gallery before reaching out to see whether that style feels at home with the kind of artwork you want to live with.
Explore the gallery →A simple place to begin
Start with the photo that feels like a visit.
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Choose the image with personality
Begin with the photo that captures your cat’s real expression, not necessarily the most technically perfect image. A relaxed loaf, a watchful profile, an unmistakable stare, or the pose they always take in their favorite chair can say more than a posed picture ever could. A clear face and visible eyes help, but the feeling in the photo matters just as much.
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Share the details only you would know
Include a name, a nickname, a favorite habit, or the story behind the image. Mention the markings you do not want missed, the room where the artwork may hang, and whether the portrait is for your own home, a gift, or a memorial. Those details help give the conversation a center before a single mark is made.
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Talk through the piece directly
Use the inquiry form, email, or phone to connect with Joseph. You can share the photos, talk about the feeling you want the work to hold, and ask any questions you have about the commission. The conversation starts with your cat, not a complicated checklist.
For a cat you know by heart
A personal gift should feel as specific as the relationship.
A custom cat portrait can be a thoughtful choice when an ordinary present feels too generic. For a birthday, anniversary, new home, or someone who has already received every sensible cat-related gift, it begins with one particular relationship. The finished artwork can hold humor, companionship, and a familiar face in a way that feels deeply personal without becoming overly precious.
It can also be a meaningful memorial. The photograph that matters most is often not the one with perfect lighting or a perfect pose. It may be the sleepy look you saw every morning, the stretch that took over half the couch, or the small glance that still feels immediate. Send that image. Additional photos can help with a marking, the color of an eye, or another angle, while the first picture keeps the memory close to the center of the piece.
Before you commission any portrait, look at the artist’s existing work. Style is not an afterthought when the artwork will live in your home every day. Joseph’s work is for people who are drawn to strong color, layered movement, and an image with its own energy. The best result comes when your love for the cat and your response to the artist’s point of view are both part of the decision.
Choosing reference photos
Give the eyes, markings, and posture room to speak.
Cats can look completely different from one image to the next, especially when the light changes or their ears decide they have had enough of the situation. Choose one primary photo that feels most like them, then gather a few supporting images if you have them. A front-facing photo can help show the eyes and facial pattern. A side view can make a distinctive profile clearer. A wider photo can show the curve of a tail, a favorite resting pose, or the way they hold their body.
Do not worry if your favorite image is a little soft, cropped, or taken in the middle of an everyday moment. The photo with the feeling is often the right place to start. A second or third image can answer practical questions about color and detail without replacing the first photo’s emotional pull. The goal is not to assemble a perfect catalog of reference material. It is to share enough of your cat that the artwork begins with something true.
If the portrait is a surprise gift, bring together what you can and explain the relationship behind it. A favorite story, a familiar phrase, or a note about why this cat matters can be more useful than trying to guess every visual choice alone. A good commission begins with the part nobody else could have supplied.
Artwork that belongs in your home
Think about the place that needs more of them.
A cat portrait can make an entryway feel more like yours, add color to a living room, make a quiet office less anonymous, or become the first thing you notice in a hallway. You do not need to have the room completely designed before you reach out. A piece of original art can become the starting point, giving the rest of the space a little more direction and life.
Tell Joseph where you picture the finished work living and what you want the room to feel like. Maybe you want an unmistakable burst of color. Maybe you want a daily reminder of the cat who has claimed the house. Maybe you are giving someone a piece of the companion they miss. That context makes the first conversation more useful and helps the artwork become part of the way you actually live.
The finished portrait is not meant to replace the photographs you love. It gives them another life. Your cat’s distinctive details provide the recognition. Joseph’s color and expressive treatment give the piece presence, so it can keep drawing you in long after it is hung.
Start your commission →Start With A Favorite Photo
Give their favorite look a lasting place.
Share the photo, the story, and the cat who gives your home its particular character.
Start a cat portraitFrequently asked questions
What photo should I use for a custom cat portrait?
Choose the image that catches the expression, posture, or familiar ritual that feels most like your cat. A clear view of the face and eyes is helpful, and extra photos can fill in markings, color, or a favorite angle.
Can I commission a portrait for a cat who has passed away?
Yes. A memorial cat portrait can begin with the photograph that brings them closest. Share that image along with any additional reference photos and the details you want the artwork to hold.
Will the portrait look exactly like my cat?
Joseph uses your cat's recognizable features as the starting point, then creates an original artwork in his own vivid, expressive style. It is a portrait with personality, not a copied photograph.
How do I begin a custom cat portrait?
Use the JmurArt inquiry form, email a favorite photo, or call the studio. Share your cat's name, the image you love, and anything you want the finished piece to remember.