Central & Gus
Kingston Westhill Three Toed Sloth Portrait Study
Kingston Westhill Three Toed Sloth Portrait Study
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Kingston Westhill Three Toed Sloth leaned the ladder against the eaves and began his climb. The thatched roof of his treehouse was nestled among the cecropia tree branches, providing both protection and the perfect platform for snacking on the leaves that offer nourishment. He moved with intention; he was deliberate in all that he did. He was a planner. Honestly, there were more than a few Gantt charts along the way. But it was because it wasn’t just for him.
No: Kingston carried an entire community on his shoulders. Actually, an ecosystem: within his fur, covered in green algae, live a whole host of Pyralid Moths. They would not survive without Kingston, and he knew this. And, with this knowing, he chose to make decisions not just for himself, but for his community. He wanted them to thrive; it was part of his purpose, his legacy. About three quarters of the way up, the sun was on its way down. The sky shone in beautiful coral, pink, and tangerine hues. Finally perched on the rooftop, he looked upward. Tucked in his ‘beach’ chair, it was a perfect gallery for watching the stars. Maybe, once the sun had set, he’d be lucky enough to spot a shooting star or a comet. The moon was not even a sliver of a crescent, so his timing was serendipitously ideal.
The heavens did not give him even one celestial happening, though. Even the stars seemed to remain tucked in for the night. But that was just fine, the universe had other plans: just before the sun dropped below the horizon, the moths, en masse, rose from his coat and danced in the last light of day. As if perfectly coordinated, only even better in its spontaneity, the moths were saying thank you for every gift that Kingston had given to them through their show…being just who they are. And it was beautiful.
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Portrait Study, 8x10”, 9x12”, or 11x14" in protective cello. Each Portrait Study is accompanied by a whimsical tale of the animal featured. Entirely collectible, the stories intertwine, creating a much-loved community of characters. We print on a luxurious 318 gsm, 100% cotton paper. Soft and durable, this paper showcases crisp detail and vibrant colour.
We donate a portion of gross sales to animal welfare.
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I have so many repeat customers who are collecting these precious pieces of art. From bathrooms, to children's rooms to living rooms each chosen piece tells a story for my customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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They are — and that's one of the things that makes Central & Gus so unique. Every character lives in the same universe. They know each other, reference each other, cross paths at the switchboard, in the woods, at the patisserie, on the road. Collecting them is a little like reading a novel one chapter at a time — except each chapter fits on your wall or popped in the post for a stamp to someone you love.
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We spent a long time on this. Every Central & Gus illustration is hand-drawn in pencil — and so we are eternally inspired by the classic #2, enrobed in that particular shade of yellow. For that, we call it Ticonderoga Harvest. Studies on colour and emotion find that people associate this shade with joy — which felt exactly right. It also nods, quietly, to our farm roots, everything that grows out of the land, and also to a less tangible but just as important creative harvest. The envelope is not an afterthought. It is part of the story.
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They are extraordinary gifts — and we say that not as a boast but as something we hear constantly from our retail partners and customers. A Central & Gus card is not a card you send and forget. It is a card the recipient reads, re-reads, frames, or keeps in a drawer to return to. The story on the back transforms it from a greeting into a small, meaningful object. We have heard from one customer who had special date-day trips with his young daughter, each time choosing one special card for her coveted collection. The goldenrod envelope alone tends to stop people in their tracks. Another, a fiance purchased the entire set for his partner, a reminder of a day they spotted them in a shop and giggled while reading the stories aloud. These are not cards. They are moments, saved.
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Wholeheartedly yes — and the characters seem to know instinctively which age they are speaking to. Children are drawn to the illustrations, the names, the animals. Adults read the stories and find themselves unexpectedly moved. We regularly hear from customers who frame them in nurseries and living rooms alike, who give them to grandparents and grandchildren in the same gesture. The world of Central & Gus does not have an age. It has a sensibility — and that sensibility tends to recognise itself across generations.
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Yes — and we love that you asked. We offer curated collections and themed bundles. Our Open Water & Coastal set, our Woodland & Hedgerow set, our Wetland & Waterway, or our Start Your Collection bundle are all wonderful entry points. And for those that just wantall of themat once, The Whole Gang brings every character home together at a saving. Bundles make particularly wonderful gifts — there is something about receiving a community of characters at once that feels genuinely special.
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We do — and this is at the heart of everything we do. A portion of every gross sale goes directly to animal welfare. The characters you collect are not just whimsical illustrations — they are advocates. Every purchase is a small act of care for the natural world and the creatures in it. We are deeply grateful for every order that makes this possible.