Two inseparable cats.
When I was told the story of Gary and Stella, I just had to see photos. They are so cute together that I wanted to paint them for my portfolio.
Now that the portrait is completed, the cats’ owners want to buy the portrait.
We agreed that I will paint another portrait using a second similar photo as reference, and then Gary and Stella's owners will choose one portrait, and I will keep the other.
Gary was painted once before on a wood slice as a Christmas gift from the client to her adult son and his partner.
Stella, on the other hand, was reunited with Gary when the breeder decided she no longer wanted to keep her. They often cuddle together so the photos show their typical behaviour. This is Stella's first portrait.
Doesn’t she look absolutely happy to be with Gary once more?
Details of the portrait.
Gary and Stella are painted on 9 x 12 watercolour paper in acrylics. I used a combination of fluid and heavy body acrylics.
Once again, as in my most recent pet portraits, I limit my palette to the following colours: Alizarin Crimson Hue, Quinacridone Magenta, Titanium White, Paynes Grey, Hansa Yellow Opaque, Phthalo Blue (Green Shade).
The Cornish Rex.
Many people might be unfamiliar with this very unique cat breed. I know I was!
With a bit of research, I found that the Cornish Rex are about as close as you can get to having a dog within a cat’s body.
"Cornish Rexes may be seen as the border collies of the cat world. They're always on the move and do better if they have a job to do."— CHYRLE BONK, DVM.
Characteristics of the breed.
Displaying lots of confidence and highly intelligent, the Cornish Rex loves people and follows them everywhere around the house, just waiting for a lap to sit on, much like our canine friends.
This breed loves to perform tricks for an audience. Unlike many felines, the Cornish Rex is happy to receive lots of attention and is willing to show his agility or any other tricks his owner might want to train him to do. For example, this cat will happily retrieve objects much like any dog.
"Art has something to do with the achievement of stillness in the midst of chaos." Saul Bellow
May you find moments of stillness this week,
Louise
This is an adorable painting, no wonder the owners like it.
Thank you Vivienne.
You captured the essence of Gary & Stella so eloquently Louise.
I really love the rich jewel tones you chose for this painting.
I enjoy seeing what you are creatively doing and like the variety in your work.
Thank you Dianne. I am perhaps a bit of a rebel, and have been for the last 8 years because I don’t particularly have what I think many artists have, which is a style that is recognizably my own. I used to fret about that but now, I am more interested in learning new techniques, experimenting, and having fun in the process. Have a great day and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
This is such a wonderful painting, especially for cat lovers.You captured the beauty of both cats in a great kind. Thanks for sharing this, dear Louise.
I am glad you liked my interpretation of these two cats. Thanks Birgit.
Wonderful as usual Louise, I think with this process you have found a niche that people love, therefore no absolute perfection, as long as it is a likeness. I really do admire your artistic talent.
I prefer painting in various colours such as in the recent portraits I have painted for my portfolio rather than the pet’s true colour, but I will paint whatever the client requests. With this particular method, as long as the values are correct, the animal can be any colour whatsoever. Thank you Sally.
You do such wonderful work with your pet portrait paintings, Louise. These cats, Gary and Stella, look so adorable!
Awwww, that is so kind of you to take the time to leave a comment. I do enjoy painting pets and in particular, the Cornish Rex, and learning more about this breed. Have a great week Phil. I know you will find many lovely landscapes to photograph in Tennessee.