The Three KittiesSusan K. Donley, 2004. 15x22 inches, watercolor and colored pencil on paper. Kitty (orange and white tabby), Smooschie (long-haired tortoise-shell), and Leroy (long-haired tan and white) were the pride of the Donley family over a span of 20 years, together for about ten years. Kitty was unopposed queen over Smooschie and Maggie (the dog) for eight years until Leroy arrived to try to claim the throne. Kitty the Elder was not giving in; Leroy wasn't going to submit to a girl, for heavens' sake! All this to say, I had to combine two photos as references when I decided to paint this memorial painting of the three of them for my mother. No picture existed with Kitty and Leroy in the same frame! Smooschie and Kitty, yes. Smooschie and Leroy, yes. But Kitty and Leroy stayed at a distance. I was lucky to find two photos -- one of Smooschie and Leroy sitting together and one of Kitty -- that had compatible lighting, angle, and expressions that I could combine. This group memorial portrait could only have happened in Heaven where the Lion lies down with the Lamb and, presumably, Kitty and Leroy can sit together without hissing!
Commission a portrait of your cat! |
