Budda’s Portrait
I was looking on Melanie’s blog the other day and she mentioned a couple of pet portrait friends had come over for a visit. So I followed their links back and was once again impressed with the skill they possess at capturing not only the likeness but also the personality of their subjects. All that talent got me inspired to try to do Budda.
He is such a mischievous little bugger that I thought perhaps him napping might be a nice change of pace. You know . . . something I could reflect on art wise. So when he has done something really naughty, I can look at it and sigh wistfully.
The opportunity to take a couple of candid snaps presented itself much sooner than expected. He was passed out on the rug in a spot of sunshine after a full afternoon of pushing my buttons by climbing on top every surface in the gallery, where he is not allowed.
Okay here’s the odd bit. He meows to get my attention when he’s being bad. Oh yes, he knows he’s not supposed to be on my framing table (nothing more annoying than having to open up a frame because Budda left a calling card hair inside). But if my attention is otherwise occupied he wants to make sure I know he is being bad. I mean really what fun is being bad if no one “knows” your being bad.
So he meows plaintively, like he is hurt or lost. I come in slightly worried only to see him him lazing on some surface. I swear he mentally says “Tah Dah!” I growl a “Get down!” I am relieved he is okay and annoyed he has once again tricked me into rewarding his bad behavior by doing exactly what he wanted, And then he flees the room quite proud of himself. Only to meow 15 minutes later from another counter in another room. (I am seriously thinking of getting him a pet dog to keep him entertained.) Perhaps he is bored, but Mike and I give that cat so much attention and affection and . . . Oops got a little lost from my topic there.
So I see him napping and I grab the camera and gently ease myself down onto the rug with him. Yeah okay, so I should have guessed that as soon as he had my undivided attention he’d quit napping.
He promptly gets up and comes over for a cuddle. It’s hard to remember that I am annoyed with him when he is all warm and purring against my cheek. Little plushkin knows just how to play me.
Nothing here is portrait worthy. I’ll try again as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
LOL — love your Budda stories and the photos! That middle photo looks like it could be worked with, but you know what you want from Budda sleeping and he’s got you completely figured out. He’ll string you along for days.
He might be happier with a cat friend. Ari and I have always been a one-man, one-cat buddy pair, though he makes friends easily with other cats if I live with someone else who has cats. He’s picky on which cats he likes or not, it’s all about how they treat him and their personalities.
So a few months ago, my daughter came home from the grocery to find a seven pound tortie waif who looked like a half grown kitten meowing plaintively at our front door. Doing her best impression of Scarlett O’Hara “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Kitten could not resist big round green eyes and that loud motorboat purr, so she picked up Gemini and brought her inside.
We spent two weeks trying to find her previous people, but no luck on it — best guess is that she was just abandoned by some college students renting a house nearby when they left. So Kitten got her to the vet and chipped and checked out and treated for everything minor she had. She was skin and bones, poor little thing, and so loving with everyone.
She cemented her place in the household immediately when she let five year old Sascha pet her and didn’t run away even when Sascha grabbed her by the head or leg. Now Gemini is Queen, she is the little cat princess of the house. My room is Cat Central. I get both of them all the time because it’s the dog-free zone.
At first Gemmi didn’t really like Ari but he was so much of a Southern gentleman courting her that now they’re very close friends. They play a lot and keep each other occupied. Midnight crazies now get dual participation.
Both of them do a lot of things deliberately to get attention but most of the time it’s not mischief to get attention. I use my Holbein water mister on Ari if he makes trouble or gets on something he shouldn’t. Once I pick it up, everything stops, he’s not showing off any more but dodging out of the way and avoids it.
He will do the sweet meows and get attention though, he’ll actually tell me to get up and fill his bowl, or decide he wants attention and just walk into my lap whatever I’m doing. I usually stop for cat loving so maybe that’s why he’s not doing the bad-boy act. We’ve had years to sort this out, he was a real ruckus as a kitten and young cat.
Budda will make a lovely painting! Im looking forward to seeing it and ejoyed reading about Budda being naughty! Neither Nick or I have ever painted any of our pets, how sad is that! We should take a leaf out of your book and do Amram one day. I think he will be a good pencil drawing. Both Sally and Sarah’s work are inspirational aren’t they, glad you enjoy their sites.
Robert I had thought about another cat but I think it may well just double my troubles. Also he really hates cats. The few that have visited drives him to attack and kill mode. He hates dogs also, but small dogs he tolerates pretty good. Curious even. We have a few visit regularly. And the other thing is I really am more a dog person. Dogs (and horses) understand group dynamics and following a leader. Cats . . . not so much.
Melanie What’s that old saying . . . something about a cobblers children run barefoot. It makes perfect sense that you don’t do your own because that’s what you do, pet portraits. I rarely do any portraits so on occasion I do my own critters. I did my greyhounds (about 10yrs ago) but haven’t done any pets since (not counting chicory)
Actually the last photo you had of Amram napping I thought would make a great portrait. I won’t ask about him as I know this is a hard time for you. Budda and I send much love.