A Welsh Cat in a French landscape – the story behind the painting.

5ft x 4ft (1.5 x 1.2 meters) oil on canvas.   A Welsh Cat in a French Landscape.Painted during lock down, this symbolic image of Christeve the Cat overlooking the village of Mas Cabardes – SW France  demonstrates why sketch books are so vital in the life of an artist.

I used two of the many rapid sketches I produced in Mas Cabardes eleven years ago as the foundation block for this image. Sketches are thoughts on paper…in this case very quick responses to what I was seeing.         They can become excellent reference material.    

Given that Christeve the Cat lived with me in Wales for several years, I have a zillion sketches of her:)

In many ways Christeve the Cat is my alter ego.    In the little children’s book,  ‘Christeve the Cat finds her Home’.  –  she is lost and alone and looking for a home of her own.

The book is about homelessness,  courage and trust in the unseen and is directed to children of all ages from different belief systems.     Yes, the magical hummingbirds play an important part in the story. 

Ultimately, Christeve the Cat finds that her home is right there in front of her.

‘As Little Cat came closer to the only light she could see, she realised that it was shining from the cottage across from HER tree’

So why a French village given that the book is set in Crickhowell Wales (the Magical Town of Crickadoon?).         

I have always loved the French landscape and particularly the villages of  SW and Southern France with their orange roofs.    I have many dear friends in France and have painted and exhibited there a great deal.       For many years I have wanted to live there…and maybe one day I will,    but not wishing to sound like a cliche – the lock down has reminded me that home is ‘within’.

Plus as we now must surely understand.   ‘everything is interconnected’

Wishing one and all a beautiful and creative weekend.

Janet 🙂