In-progress: painting leaves. “The Adventures of Princess Piccoli”. 36”H, 24”W, acrylic on canvas, 2021.
In the past two years I’ve lost a beloved elderly cat, my father, and finally another well-aged cat. I have one left, and feel no need to replace the other two. Out of step with my normal portraiture, I decided to paint my third and only cat: Piccoli. She is a tiny six pound cat who survived living in the Sierras of Northern California for months only to end up hiding within my wall-protected garden for a month’s time until discovered. I thought she came to visit during the day, but in actuality, she was living under my deck and ate the leaves of my plants, specifically my David Austin roses, to stay alive. I am grateful for her-—even though I saved her as malnourished forced vegan—she has been by my side for six years, and helped me cope with the loss of my three loved ones.
