Catnapping

Working from sketches because this cat does not stay still even when apparently out for the count! There is no way on this earth I could ever set up my painting equipment and paint direct from life, even life that is catnapping. He would just know I was there and, as soon as I was about to put brush to canvas, he would immediately turn around, show me his teeth, and settle down in another position. Then when I am about to start again he will do the same again. And so on. You get the picture. But I don't! The solution to this problem is to sit for ages with pencil in hand and do a bundle of sketches, some of which might actually be completed far enough to make something more. Like these two:

Oils on primed cardboard, 20x15cm: "With His Head Tucked Underneath His Tail" I like the fact that you know it's a cat but where on earth is his head!!!!

Oils on canvas, 40x3ocm: "In Slumberland": This cat is the bane of my life but I love him like nothing else. He is wild yet buttermice wouldn't melt in his mouth. Every morning when he comes in after a night terrorising the local mouse community the first thing he looks for, after a small snack, is a cuddle on my knee. Don't know what I'd do without him. This was painted to a much larger scale than the other paintings I've been working on simply because I thought it required it.