ADVERTISEMENT

I started making hybrid animals during the pandemic lockdown as a hobby to do while I was stuck at home. It was inspired in part by Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake and by an old film called The Island of Doctor Moreau.

Initially, I used an old editing program called “Pixelmator” which is where the name Pixelmated Animals came from. Later I switched to Photoshop, but the process is still very similar. I choose either a background or a face and then scroll through Adobe stock looking for options that either blend well or look absolutely ridiculous. It’s only a few steps away from collage-making in that I cut out the parts I’ll use and overlay them onto the new image. Then erase, blend, and color correct until they fit together as seamlessly as possible.

Generative fill is a brilliant new tool to enlarge and expand images, but it is the only AI element I like to use.

More info: Instagram

Here is me with a weird-looking poodle

When I first started I would make animals based on unique or quirky images I’d find by scrolling through Adobe Stock. Eventually, as my @pixelmatedanimals account on Instagram grew, I started getting requests and doing more and more pet portraits, which has led to my account being dominated by mostly dogs and cats.

There are particular combinations that I think work especially well - Sealpups, Cowdogs, Catfish, Alpacats - but it’s really only limited to what can be imagined.

I grew up on Cortes, a small island off Vancouver Island, Canada. I moved to Mexico for several years before coming back to work in construction and commercial fishing in the Pacific North West of Canada. It’s nice to have a creative outlet to counter the monotony of manual labor and the winters here in general.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Alpacat

Alpacat

Report

Add photo comments
POST
tw 72
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm just not sure the world needs an animal the size of an alpaca with the attitude of a house cat...at least, not MY house cats! 😸

Ms.GB
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can you imagine the zoomies at 2am...my house would be ruined and I'd probably have a few broken ribs.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Starting out, my only goal was to amuse myself and a few friends and I’ve been lucky enough to have my work shared by everyone from Amanda Seyfried and Kate Beckinsale to Tucker Budzyn and Sharon Osbourne. I make a lot of custom pet portraits for people and since it’s not a job per se, I like to do fundraising campaigns where I make portraits in exchange for donations to charities that I think are important, such as Inara.org

#6

Whino

Whino

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cat Conatser
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear God, could you imagine running into this? No thank you! Lol

View more commentsArrow down menu

The best part of making them, from the first poorly put together Baboodle to now, are people's different reactions. Getting a laugh or a smile, cheering someone up when they’re having a bad day or even a 2-page angry message ranting about how these are unnatural and wrong makes it worthwhile.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kevin the Manager
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Yes, boy, I'm excited to see you too! Okay, okay, yes, good boy! OH MY G*D! MY INTESTINES ARE EVERYWHERE!!!!"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Mooseal

Mooseal

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kevin the Manager
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL @ the cheetah's expression! "What the fu*k did I get up to last night?!"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Juniper Squirrelfox

Juniper Squirrelfox

juniperfoxx Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#39

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sarah Runyon
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never seen anything quite as judgemental or as disgusted as this cowl is.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#49

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#59

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lotekguy
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A tarantula that can open trash cans. Just what the world was missing.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#61

Report

Add photo comments
POST
I_imagine_even_worse_w***s
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh god that's all we need is crazies wanting teacup pandas to match their outfit

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#68

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Truice Zer0
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Endony... Clearly the superior way for Luke to get through the moons forests

View more commentsArrow down menu