We’re always finding creative talent in the cat-o-sphere and recently were introduced to a wonderful pet portrait artist named Vicki Liu.
She did this beautiful 5×7 watercolor portrait (w/ gold leaf) of our two boys (photo below).
Always sketching as a small child, Vicki participated in elective art classes in high school, went onto MIAD for a year, with a focus on illustration, and ended up transferring to UW-Oshkosh to attain her BFA in Painting & Drawing.
While in college, Vicki received one of two collaborative research grants given to art students each year. Since then she has been working on many ceramics, paintings, drawings, illustrations, plein air work and much more.
Vicki was kind enough to offer 1 custom water color portrait for a lucky Purrington Post reader to WIN!
* Contest Now Closed
This contest ended on Feb. 15th, 2019 and was available to residents worldwide. To enter you simply needed to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cat’s name is [insert your cat’s name] and he/she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because [your reason]
The winner was chosen by the artist from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email.
You can read more about Vicki on her website at vicki-liu.com.
May cat is Cecil. I would like to win
a watercolor portrait of him.
I lost my Cat Cecil July 2018.
I miss him so much.
My cat’s name is Barney! He is an orange & white 16 pound purrson that came to live with me on April 1, 2018! I adopted him because this was a sad home. My Mother-In-Law passed away in November 2017. I had to bring new life back in this home & plants won’t doing it!! After a little adjustment time for me, I soon found out I had adopted a little BOY! Barney is ALL BOY TOO!!! He LOVES his Daddy!! He sits on the end of the couch, with his arm propped up on the arm of it, and watches football, basketball & soon NASCAR with Daddy! He will come to me and PURR, PURR, PURR, with the volume turned all the way up. He will crawl in my lap for a belly rub! I rub up & down until the purring stops & he has fallen asleep. He chases his Sister all over the house. Then she will chase him. He LOVES to play with her. I can’t think of any other way to honor Barney than to have a water color Portrait by Artist Vicki Liu to hang on the wall with the rest of the family Portraits!!
My cat’s name is Ms. Sparkles and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is an only child, stately, serene, and has the prettiest green eyes, and we’d love a portrait for our wall.
My cat’s name is JJ and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he just exudes personality and he is really cute.
My cat’s name is Velcro and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she left me in 2016 and this would make an awesome way to have a piece of her back with me.
My cat’s name is Daisy and she would make the purrfect meowdel to be drawn by Vicki Liu because a rendering of her would only beautify the world.
My cats name is Lilly. She passed away from mouth cancer on 07-28-18. She would be a beautiful model for artist Vicki Liu.
Oh meOW!! My cats’ names are Molly, Hatchet and Beaver and any one of them would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn/painted because of their glorious whiskers! Molly and Hatchet have all white whiskers and Beaver has all black whiskers and their Meowmy thinks they’re the most beautiful babies in all the land! ^..^
My cat’s name is [CK] and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she’s the world’s most stunning cat. She’s 14 years old and we don’t know what we’re going to do when she’s gone.
My cat’s name is Koko and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he is a beautiful boy with one of the sweetest temperaments ever.
I am owned by a pair of cat brothers, Boris and Igor. They came to me as tiny kittens, bottle-fed and lovingly raised after being abandoned at three weeks old. Boris is an ultra-slender butterscotch tabby, and Igor is a sleek gray/white tuxedo cat. They are the most friendly cats you can imagine, racing out to greet and be loved by any stranger, of any age. Boris is a shoulder cat, always attempting to climb or jump onto shoulders. Igor wants to be held, full-time. Strangely they both love home renovation projects, and are instantly attracted by the sound of power tools. Boris is currently helping with my drywall project, leaving his footprints on the windowsills, and adding blobs of drywall joint compound to his tail.
My cat’s name is Catniss Everpurrand she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she’s the softest and prettiest Lil lady in the known universe!
My cat’s name is Dexter and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he’s my best friend. He’s always there to put me in a good mood and to help get me through tough times. I can always rely on him to put a smile on my face and for a good cuddle. He’s also always good for a some laughs as he tends to get into some mischief.
my cat is Sam. he was born in a laboratory and rescued 2 yrs later. I would love to have him painted because all cats are beautiful and deserve love
My cat’s name is Luna and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is such a beautiful cat and is very special to me!
My cat’s name is Buddy and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because my husband and I found him under his truck and took him in. He is my husband’s first pet ever and they could not be more in love with each other. He was just diagnosed with kidney disease and we would love to have something to remember him always.
My cat’s name is Chloe and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because her kindness and beauty show in her beautiful serene eyes.
My cat’s name is Karin, and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she has lived (inside only) with us for 12 of her 13 years…since we got her from a shelter where we volunteered… and still won’t let us touch her. She likes to be close to us, but not TOO close. She is going in for hyperthyroid radiation treatment next month, and this would be a wonderful commemoration.
My cat’s name is Boots and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is a diva and would love to admire her own portrait. She’s fabulous!! Who wouldn’t want to draw her?!? 😁😁😁
My cat’s name is MooCow and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he is no longer with me and I would like to immortalize him.
My cat’s name is Millie and she would be the purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she acts like a supermodel by sashaying around our condo with an air of cool confidence. This is a far cry from the overly shy kitty we adopted from the shelter 2 years ago who hid in her carrier for hours along with her sister Moxie!
My cat’s name is Sunshine and he/she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she thinks ‘she is all that and a bag of chips.’. A portrait would prove this to the other cats.
My cat’s name is Woody and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he recently crossed the rainbow bridge at 10 months old. He lost his battle with the wet form of FIP. I am absolutely shattered. He and I bonded on another level. He is my soul kitty. He loved everyone and everything. He followed me everywhere. Always wanting to be near or on me. He always reached out to touch me with his giant polydactyl paws, asking for pets and cuddles and love. It would mean the world to me to have a portrait of him to share with the world and have in my home.
My cat’s name is Spider and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because his mummy misses him so so much, as he crossed to the Rainbow Bridge at the ripe old age of 18, in September 2017. Also, I have had a couple of other artists draw him when he was still alive, but none could quite get him right, and I think Vicki will be doing a fantastic job and a much better one than other artists before her! 🙂
My cat’s name is Blackfoot and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he has never had his portrain drawn.
My cats are Alpha and Delta. They were a part of a litter of four that were found on the streets after their mother died. A rescue rescued them and took care of them until they were old enough to be adopted. Their brothers were adopted right away, but my babies were at Petsmart for over a month and no one seemed to want them. I finally talked my husband into adopting them and now they are just big babies! They both are so adventurous, but they definitely want to know where mommy and daddy are so they aren’t alone. We love them so much!
My kitties names are Gabrielle & Mandi Kay and either one would make a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because they are Pixie Bobs and are stunning to start with, I am sure Vicki could bring out their “wild side”! =^..^=
My cat’s name is Jasper and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because today marks the 2nd year anniversary of losing him, and I can’t think of a better way to commemorate his life. I want the world to know just how handsome he was, and what a beautiful soul shown in those eyes. He was my tough-luck case from a hoarding situation, but I was immediately his Mommy and his world. There was NEVER a time he wasn’t by my side, especially when I was sick for a long time, and my little shadow who loved chirping at me. We only had 2 1/2 short years with him, to help him trust, grow, and know love… but he did. More thank I think he, and we, could have ever imagined. By the end I held him (something he didn’t care for), fed him like a baby, bathed him, and held on to him as he left this world, taking a piece of me with him. I would LOVE to have a portrait of my little soul mate to look at every day. He taught me how to love someone for where they are now, to be patient, always show love, and have faith. I have since rescued and rehabilitated other “undesirable” kitties with that lesson forever engraved on my heart – the lesson of Jasper.
My cat Skylar would be the purrfect meowdel because she is the most purrfect kitten in the world!
My cat’s name is Angel and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she she’s so purrity both inside and out!
My cat’s name is Daisy–but sometimes I call her Daisy-bug, Sweetpea or my wild mini-Tiger– and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is not only my best friend but a friendship ambassador to my neighbors (she walks on a leash with me).
My cat’s name is Bella and he is a boy who I thought was a girl until I took him to the vet. I couldn’t identify his gender when I found him, because I wasn’t familiar with cat anatomy. Bella would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he’s a beautiful big black cat with intense eyes, who learned to trust me to keep him from harm, and even to take him off the roof when he’s afraid of coyotes. But after reading about Jessica King’s cat, Jasper, I think she deserves the portrait more than me.
My cat’s name is Tori and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she has a personable face.
My mother’s cat’s name is Belle, and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is beautiful, inside and out. I have three cats of my own, but my mother has been in and out of the hospital since November, and I think this would be the best medicine for her. Thank you.
My cat’s name is Rocco and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he’s the cutest Marshmallow
My cat’s name is Pandy, and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he is such a beautiful and sweet cat.
my cat’s name is lucy and she would be the perfect model to be drawn by Vicki Liu because of course she is lovely lucy
My cat’s name is Shirley and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is my best friend and I love her so much. She is the most beautiful cat I’ve ever seen.
My cat’s name is Hurley and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he is the sweetest cat (seriously…his shelter name was “Sweetie”)
My cats name is Thomas and he would be the perfect model for Vicki Liu because he is a twin of Newman!
My cat’s name is Pico and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he is very jealous and feels that his handome older brother Romeo gets all the attention, when he is just as gorgeous, has a trimmer figure and obviously a much better personality. Pico says he would also like to be able to give this to me as a gift because he knows he can be a bit of a jerk sometimes and it’s his mother’s (my) 50th Birthday tomorrow on Feb. 2nd. (Pico is definitely the clown of the family, but both boys are beautiful and loving. P.S. Pico is just a little “jelly.” He gets tons of love and attention too!)
My cat’s name is Daisy and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is a beautifully marked calico. I know I am biased, but I can’t help it. She is my love!
My cat’s name is Coopurr and I rescued him from becoming a show cat. He’s an orange and white Persian with just enough snobbery to go with his looks. He licks my cheek when I come home and makes his wants known in no uncertain terms. If he doesn’t get them he will run and slide across my kitchen table and out his pet door into my pool cage area making a lot of noise while going through it. He will keep this up until he gets what he wants. In the morning he jumps up beside me and purrs until I get up. It’s actually my white noise and puts me back to sleep. I would love a drawing of him because he is beautiful and I love him, cranky or not.
My cat’s name is Eowyn and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is the best cat in the entire universe. Eowyn lived from 1978 to 1997, and she was so special that I still carry her fur in a locker around my neck in 2019 despite having had four other cats since her death. I also adopted two of her sisters and she outshone them by lightyears. Eowyn was smart, brave, talented, dexterous, talkative, friendly to everyone, snuggly, and determined to be with me until the end. The day before her death I had put her in a restricted area with a baby gate because of incontinence. I closed the gate in the morning, and went upstairs to make breakfast. I turned around and she was sitting in the kitchen looking smug. I put her back downstairs, started to go upstairs, and turned around to see this cat in the end stages of renal failure climbing over the baby gate. The baby gate went down and she slept on my pillow the last night of her life. Eowyn was a zen cat — always in the moment, always content (unless going to the vet). I wish I could achieve her self-confidence and her ability to weather anything life threw at her. She was a five-year survivor of cancer. She also overcame three months of quarantine when we moved to Hawaii and tolerated the introduction of several other cats to the household. She defeated a small dog and a miniature goat in combat. In her youth she was a skillful and considerate hunter, always leaving some part of her kill on my bed. She was my soulmate, and now she is my soul guide. All my photos of Eowyn are faded with time, so I would love so much for Vicki Liu to paint her so the green of her eyes would glow again and the beauty of her tortoiseshell coat would shine.
My cat’s name is Lil Missy and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is a Huge Fabulous Fluffy Feline!
My cat’s name is Kacey and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because after He passed to the Rainbow Bridge 2 years ago , a painting would be the purrfect reminder of him!
This is amazingly done. My mom would love one of these of our pup at home!
My cat’s names are Screamer and Rosko and they would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because they are PRINCES, and love to look at photos of themselves! 🙂
My cats name is Kitty Boy. He’s a large, handsome tuxedo cat. That wasn’t always the case. He started out as a tiny evacuated foundling and has blossomed into the personality he is today.
My cat’s name is Milky and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because even though he’s an average cat, I love him and would love to have his portrait hanging in my home.
My cats’ names are Choo Choo, Branson, Quincy, and Pengo and they would be a purrfect meowdels to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because they’re very photogenic and the sweetest boys. When I talk to them they look at me as if they’re interested in and understand what I’m saying. All four are rescues and came from the same shelter at different times.
My cat’s name is Charlotte and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Charlotte was dumped at our local shelter at the age of 12 (a senior!) with a small tumor, and I adopted her because she would have been otherwise euthanized. Now, two years later, her cancer has started to spread and we are giving her the best vet care possible to extend her quality of life. She is the sweetest girl ever and is tolerating her treatments very well. I would love to have a portrait of her done while she is still healthy and feeling good.
These are to CUTE. I am obsessed with my pets and would love to have one of these done! Amazing.
These are adorable… I love the water colors. I’ve been looking for a great portrait artist for the longest time
My cat’s name is Spunky and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is beautiful, spirited and has a great energy! Plus Vicki does an incredible job bringing out each animals personality!!
This painting is amazing! It is so realistic looking.
My cat’s name is Tabitha Wren and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because I took her in after she had four kittens in my shed. She has terrible allergies and we have finally (one year later) managed to stop her scratching her face until it bleeds. Its taken immuno-surpressants to achieve the desired result but she is now fluffy, scar free and a truly beautiful calico. I’d like a pawtrait so that she can always see how gorgeous she is and encourage her not to harm that stunning little face ever again.
Incredible artwork! The attention to detail with each piece is so well done. Fantastic job.
My cat’s name is Misty and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she was my best friend. I wanted a Maine Coon for so long. They just cost alot, I had an opportunity to get Misty as a retired breeder. From the day we met she was my pal. She followed behind me just chatting away. Her favorite time of the day was my shower time. I was her captive audience. She told me so many stories while I was showering with me saying, really, oh no, that’s good and on and on. When I got out she needed to be dried off too and brushed, I always told her she was my little peaches and cream baby. When I put on my baby powder she waited for her tiny bit rubbed on her back, talking all the time. Sometimes it would get on your nerves and I would say Misty give it a rest. My husband passed and Misty was the only sound in the house beside me crying. I don’t know what would have happened without. A year later she developed brain cancer, I took care of her till the end and stayed with her until the end. I would give anything for one more girl talk. I would love for her to be rewarded for her love and devotion, a special place by Daddy’s picture, a picture of my peaches and cream.
My cat’s name is King Miles. He would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because he is a one of a kind, rescued Bengal. When I brought King Miles home from the shelter, he was much sicker than they thought. After several months of medical treatment and TLC he is healthy. His ears are scarred from one of the many untreated health problems he had. But they are what makes him handsome, and one of a kind. If you would like to see the changes, please look at his IG post on 1/24/2019 @KingMiles2018. There are before photos shown. It was our 6 month adoptaversary. He fills my heart with joy! If you would like to know more about his story, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your consideration. ❤️ (Forgive me, if he is entered twice. I pressed send, but it appears to have reset)
My cat’s name is Lawrence. He would be the purrfect meowdel to be drawn by Vicki Liu because he has the purrfect markings on his face of a grey moustache and goatee on his white face. He is quite the gentleman by his appearance.
My cat’s name is Willie and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because of the excellent detailing!
My cat’s name is Rumor and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because I lost her a year ago, at 20 yrs old, and my heart has never been the same.
Well, I live with (only) four cats, but I think the best model would be Hugo, who was a feral born-in-the-woods cat I trapped and tamed. He’s a handsome tuxedo who knows how to get along with my domestic bullies. He has manners!
I have nine feral babies of varing ages and to have a portrait of anyone of them would be a blessing.
My cat’s name is Stevie and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is an exquisite subject – as a pastel tortie with big green eyes, she deserves to have her beauty celebrated!
My cat’s name is Pearl and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is my heart….and beautiful….and a little stinker!
My cat’s name is Stitch & she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because she is a dear, sweet, precious little soul. Up until December of 2018, it was always my Father, Stitch & me. My Dad passed away just before Christmas, so now it’s just Stitch & I, and we both miss him more than words can say. But Stitch is so remarkable – always there for me, she keeps me going, she gets me through – she is my light in the darkness – my strength & my heart. I always tell her that it’s her & I against the world – all we have is each other now. She is going to be 17 this year – we have been through so much together, I don’t know how I will ever survive this life without her by my side. I only know that for however long God allows me to have this little angel here with me – she is treasured, & I am blessed by his gift. Stitch is so incredibly beautiful & brave – I would truly cherish a portrait of her.
Thank you Vicki, for your consideration.
My cat’s name is Squintin and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because it would be the purrfect Valentine’s present!
My cat’s name is Harley and she would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because it would be a loving Valentine present to me. Harley is so full of love and i would love to be able to have a lasting memory of her forever.
I used to have a cat and he would have been a great fit to be a model for your drawings!! A great memory for a gift!
I would have loved for my dog to be a model. Watercolor paintings always turn out so unique!
Wow, this artwork is absolutely stunning! I can’t believe how lifelike the artist makes the cats look.
id be so happy if my pup would be modeled! hes so photogenic and the painting would turn out great.
My cat’s name is Leo and he would be a purrfect meowdel to be drawn by artist Vicki Liu because:
My name is Leo and I am a male cat
My mommy loves me and thinks I am all that!
She has no kids so I am her fur baby
I am writing this poem so she will win…maybe?
A portrait of me she has too few..
so Meowyplease -paint my photo dear miss Vicki Liu!!!