As heard on NewsWorks Tonight: South Philly artist paints pets into history

    Consider your pet particularly regal? Then your animal companion may be perfect for Christina Hess, a local illustrator painting pets into history.

    The South Philly artist recently began work on a book that inserts the faces of our beloved pets into historical, and pop-culture images. NewsWorks Tonight host Dave Heller spoke with Hess Friday about the book. You can hear from Hess during our show at 6 p.m. on WHYY-FM 90.9.
    She’s already placed a variety of animals into well-known portraits of Elvis, Queen Victoria, William Wallace and others. The idea for the project came from a client who had peculiar request for a memorial painting of his elegant cat. What was missing, says Hess, was a story. So, as she painted, she slowly inserted the cat into the life of a noble lady. Since then, she has searched for animals with the right look to fill historical roles. In the future, she says she is thinking about trying her hand at a pope, or even the Phillie Phanatic.

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