This artist turns funny animal photos into believable human characters
Creative Bloq
by Joe Foley February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Connie Kang is an artist who has gained social media fame by transforming funny animal photos into relatable, human-like characters. Drawing inspiration from nature, she creates unique designs that blend personality, storytelling, and aesthetics. Based in Los Angeles, Kang has worked for major companies like Disney and Sega, but her personal projects stand out for their creativity and depth. She anthropomorphizes animals in everyday scenes, such as monkeys turned gangsters or ring-tailed lemurs as prisoners, using their gestures, colors, and shapes to craft believable human characters with strong personalities.
Kang’s work is deeply inspired by photographer Gerrard Gethings’ side-by-side comparisons of pets and their owners. While she focuses on the visual aspects of animals, she also emphasizes their personality traits and emotional connections, making her illustrations both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Even animals like cats, dogs, birds, and insects are transformed into human-like figures with distinct styles and fashion sense. Her expertise in fashion illustration is evident in how she designs clothing for her characters, often drawing inspiration from the original animal photos.
In addition to her professional work, Kang has published two books, *Metamorph Volumes One* and Two, showcasing her animal-to-human character designs. She also sells her creations through an Etsy store and shares her art on Instagram. Her unique approach to blending nature with human storytelling offers a fresh perspective for anyone interested in design, illustration, or concept art.
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Originally published on Creative Bloq on 2/22/2026