By contributing artist Dora Hathazi Mendes
Dora Hathazi Mendes is based in Portugal and she creates the most beautiful cat portraits and designs, including commissions. An avid cat lover, she has created a design, available on a jigsaw puzzle, about the ‘House of Nekko’ an amazing cat playground created by Peter Cohen. Every sale creates a donation for a non-profit charity entitled ‘Zen By Cat’, also founded by Peter.
About The House of Nekko
‘Nekko’ means ‘cats’ in Japanese. Peter Cohen originally started with just two cats and over the years his adoptions continued until he reached 24. By using his expertise in construction, Peter transformed his home by installing colourful ‘cat walks’ on his walls. There is also a Koi fish pond and a ‘kitty room’ that any cat would want to play in.
Zen By Cat
Zen By Cat is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising both awareness and money to help save cats’ lives by fighting against FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) a horrible disease. FIP affects up to two per cent of kittens and up until now has been 100% fatal.
Why The Focus On FIP?
One of Peter’s rescue cats, Miss Bean, was found to have FIP and was unable to be saved. In memory of Miss Bean and all other victims of FIP, Zen By Cat was established as a non-profit to raise money and awareness for FIP research. Since the charity started, they have managed to save 25 cats struck down with FIP. With every jigsaw puzzle sale, a donation is made from Dora’s artist profit to help this important cause. By using a special code at checkout ZBBNBR we will know that with your purchase you want make a donation for FIP Research.
The Painting ‘House of Nekko’
Dora’s original painting, which is featured on the jigsaw puzzle, is an imaginary composition. It was created from the details of the House of Nekko, including 25 cats, 23 of which are currently resident and sharing home with Peter. Peter cares passionately for his cats and as a cat lover herself, Dora could really relate to this piece.
The painting composition is created in great detail, based on the cat walks and the amazing details of the House of Nekko. Let me introduce you to all the cats. You can find them all in the painting and, of course, the Jigsaw Puzzle.
Starting at the right hand top corner, Butter is sitting in front of the window. To the left is Vanilla in a yellow look out, and to the right Poppyseed who recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Next to the entrance, Cheesecake is enjoying a cat walk around the tree. Bolumo, Blackbird and Professor are relaxing where they can also watch the Koi fish and the turtle in the pond. In front of the aquarium, Nutter and Mini Bean are having a snooze together. At the center of the image Smokey is exercising in the colorful cat wheel. Mango is at the great lookout on the green spiral cat tree.
The three black cats, Smudge, Nugget and Jupiter Jones are enjoying the green shelves on the climbing wall. Meanwhile Climber, the tortoiseshell cat is lazily stretching above them in front of the painted tulips.
Resting under the green arch is Coffeebean, a snowshoe Siamese and under there is Secret and Chocolate, each asleep in comfortable cat beds. Going down the blue stairs is Mikan and Donut is enjoying a blue cat bed. The two blue cats, Rumple and Cookie Monster are enjoying themselves, staring out of the window.
At the top of the cardboard tower is Crumple and Little Mocha is peeking out from inside a box. Finally, the red cat Kabocha is enjoying the warmth of a pumpkin bed with a paw stretching out towards a toy snake.
Dora’s fabulous painting connected all the spaces so the cats walk around freely, as they do in the actual house created by Peter.
How To Purchase A Jigsaw Puzzle
Purchase a designer jigsaw puzzle at: https://dora-hathazimendes.pixels.com/shop/puzzles and use code ZBBNBR to ensure a donation is made from your purchase to Zen By Cat.
For more information visit Zen By Cat at https://zenbycat.shop/collections/karavella-atelier All puzzles include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Click to learn more about the artist: Dora Hathazi Mendes.
