Kayanna Clark-Downen has been creating art for as long as she can remember. But it wasn’t until three years ago that she turned that lifelong passion into Kay’s Caricatures—a small business built on big emotion and meaningful connections.

“I specialize in custom closing gifts that are artful, emotional, and completely unique to each client,” Kayanna says. “That includes house portraits, personalized greeting cards, and family or pet-focused artwork.”

The concept is simple, yet distinct: hand-drawn art pieces that real estate agents give as closing gifts, helping them stay top-of-mind with their clients long after the deal is done. It’s a niche that blends artistic talent with an understanding of relationships—something Kayanna has always been drawn to.

“I love that my art becomes part of someone’s ‘home story,’” she says. “Whether it’s a cozy painting of their house, a drawing of their pets, or a keepsake they send to friends and family, I know that it’s going to be a piece they cherish.”

Her offerings include everything from heartfelt home portraits to personalized art cards with the client’s new address. She also offers live caricature services at open houses, client appreciation events, and community gatherings—each piece crafted with care and precision.

Agents, she says, are not just buying artwork. They’re buying a connection.

“When agents gift one of my pieces, it tells their clients ‘You matter, and I see you,’” Kayanna explains. “That message sticks.”

It’s this attention to detail—combined with a high level of reliability and communication—that has helped Kay’s Caricatures grow almost entirely by word-of-mouth.

“I’m not a print shop or a plug-and-play gift service,” she says. “Everything I make is customized and built around that specific client, home, or family. Communication is quick, turnaround times are reliable, and I’m always open to feedback.”

Her unofficial motto? “Commission event, money well spent.” What started as a lighthearted phrase now serves as a guiding principle.

“When it comes to closing gifts, it’s really about creating something that reflects the care and dedication of the agent who gives it,” Kayanna says. “I treat every piece like it’s going to hang in someone’s forever home, because in many cases, it will.”

Originally from Belleville, Illinois, Kayanna earned her associate’s degree in Fine Arts from SWIC. After experimenting with live caricature events, it was a single home portrait gift that changed everything.

“I saw how deeply it touched the recipient,” she recalls. “That’s when I realized the power of custom artwork as a client gift.”

Today, she manages all aspects of her business herself—from the art to the client communication—but credits her extended network of friends and collaborators as a key support system. “While I don’t have employees yet, I treat every partnership as a team effort,” she says.

At home, Kayanna’s life is full. She helps care for her mother during the week, and shares a cozy life with her husband, James, along with four cats and a gentle pit bull named Pepper.

“I love cozy nights at home with my husband and our pets,” she says. “It’s definitely a work in progress, but I try to find balance. Even when I’m relaxing, I’ll get an idea and find myself right back to creating.”

Looking ahead, Kayanna is focused on growing her network of real estate partners and expanding her custom offerings into more giftable formats. But at the heart of it all, her focus remains unchanged.

“To me, success means doing work that makes people feel something,” she says. “If a client is happy, if they feel seen or special because of something I created, that’s success.”

And for agents who think working with an artist might be time-consuming or complicated, Kayanna offers a simple reassurance: “Send me a photo and a deadline, and I’ll handle the rest—with fast communication and beautiful, professional results.”