Christina Hess is an illustrator from south Philadelphia. In addition to freelance, she is a member of the United States Mint’s Artist Infusion Program. She is also the Illustration Chair at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
“I didn’t want to be that illustrator that painted animals in clothes. But after I completed Queen Elhissabeth for a family friend I realized that I could have fun with this idea. A lot of fun. Using numerous pets and celebrity animals from charities like Big Cat Rescue for inspiration I started recreating historical icons as animals. Some paintings are created traditionally in oils like William Shakesbeard and others are digital like Queen Elhissabeth. It just depended on how I wanted to work at the time. I launched the idea on Kickstarter and it was funded by 123 backers,” Christina wrote on Bored Panda.
She is featured in “Women of Wonder” and exhibited in the “Point of Vision” show at the Society of Illustrators, NY. You can also find her work at Ian Russell Gallery in Prescott, AZ. “I sell prints and mini booklets in my Etsy shop as well as on my website. My original paintings can be found at Ian Russell Gallery of Fine Art in Prescott Arizona.”
“Now I am continuing the series and planning on adding many more characters on the wild side. Mary Shelly, Bessie Coleman, Bass Reeves, Billy the Kid and Nikola Tesla are only a few of the new personalities on the roster. I’ve got foxes, pit bulls, skunks and rabbits in my mind for the future.”
More info: Etsy | christinahess.com
#1. Marie Antoinippe
#2. Queen Elhissabeth
#3. Anne Of Sleeves
#4. M.l. Jobs
#5. The Fitzgeralds
#6. William Shakesbeard
#7. Cleopetra
#8. Kiddy Roosevelt
#9. Elvis Petme
#10. Bodhissatva Jizo
#11. Cata Hari
“Painted in oils and silver leaf on 11×14 board. This is a feline spin on the double agent Mata Hari. Many awesome photos taken by Big Cat Rescue were used as inspiration. All the detail is like therapy for me.”