Hello -- Here is a cronological sequence of the creation of this portrait done in acrylics on canvas.
"Mango" (an appropriate name if you ask me) is a much loved family member of an old pal of mine who requested this portrait to present to her husband for Christmas. "He loves that cat more than anything," she claims, and has tried himself to paint Mango to no avail. And so this is where I have stepped in and done my best to represent Mango's love of spending time in the garden.
And so naturally this one isn't for sale... !
To paint an animal portrait most artists rely on photographs. Animals are difficult subjects to photograph when you want them to "pose". Co-operation? -- what's that? I personally think the best poses are when they're caught off guard doing something they love (eat, sleep, hunt, watch birds, etc.). In this digital age of photography, snap away! -- you can always delete the ones you don't like.
Anyone else who wants their dog or cat immortalized by me please contact me
here.