Mochi: Custom Calico Cat Oil Painting

This original 10x10 inch oil painting captures the curious and striking gaze of a calico cat named Mochi, painted on a premium cradled wood panel.

Capturing the Perfect Gaze

I loved working on this piece because Mochi has such beautiful, expressive eyes. The goal was to take a favorite reference photo and elevate it into a bold portrait that emphasizes her alert, curious personality. I paid special attention to the unique patch patterns of her coat and the glassy depth of her eyes, using light green and amber tones to make her expression feel alive and completely focused.

I chose a rich, deep teal for the background to create a strong, clean contrast that frames her face beautifully and makes her warm orange and cream fur pop. Even though the focus is on a real pet, I pushed the color shifts in the shadows, tucking in soft lavenders and cool pinks to add dimension and volume. I applied the professional-grade oil paint heavily using my signature brushwork, creating a thick, buttery texture across the surface that highlights the handcrafted look of the studio-prepared wood panel.

Why I love this piece

• Vibrant Background Contrast: The solid teal backdrop acts as a modern, striking canvas that amplifies the warm tones of the calico fur.
• Expressive Eye Detail: Extra time was spent capturing the reflection and glassy texture of the eyes to bring out a natural, alert look.
• Thick Impasto Strokes: Heavy layers of oil paint give the coat a sense of real texture and physical presence.
• Premium Cradled Wood: Painted directly on a prepared cradled wood panel for a sturdy, high-end presentation that is built to last.

Technical Details

• Original Oil painting by Alai Ganuza
• 25x25 cm (10x10 inches)
• Premium prepared cradled wood panel
• Certificate of Authenticity (COA) included
• Worldwide tracked and insured shipping via FedEx