It began with Studio JS...

Studio JS was founded in 2010 by Miguel C. Hernandez, and I (Michelle) was initially known as Penhitsthepad. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, we specialize in making comics, designs, sequential art, and creative concepts. We are an artistic duo (siblings) full of spirit and much inspired by martial arts, 80s-90s anime, nature, and music. 

Vanilla Star Art and Café:

Step into a world where creativity meets heart. I've launched this micro shop in Spring, 2024 to share a carefully curated collection of accessories—vibrant stickers, dynamic prints, plushies, and unique treasures. The name holds meaning: vanilla flowers bloom with five petals, just like my five incredible children. And the star? That's me, Starrelish, pouring my passion into every piece.

What's the story behind the name?

Me and my younger brother Miguel adopted two cats while in high school and caring for our sick grandfather. There was so much going on then that it felt like I was running a daycare center. I decided to create a story and named it Kat Daycare. This story combines two worlds. One is about a college student named Kat (me) who was short on cash and decided to start a home daycare for cats.

The other part of the story involves a squirrel living just outside Kat's bedroom window in a magical tree. In this tree, he owns a café or coffee shop named Vanilla Star Café. The main cat of the story, Champion and Mr. Wal the squirrel, meet at an unexpected time as they both take on some great adventures! 

This story is set to release in late 2026. Since making the comic Kat Daycare, I have begun making miniatures that will appear in the comic from Mr. Wal’s coffee shop, Vanilla Star Café.

^_^ - Michelle