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My cousin Pamela in New Zealand has a Devon Rex called Jeffrey, known to me only in photographs, but in those a bewitching creature that I referenced for this design of a shadow-puppet cat. Yesterday’s brief sketch has here been worked up more thoroughly into a mixed-media drawing (calligraphy ink, Conté, frottage and collage) in which I’ve tried to capture the sense of the animal’s elegance: his stretch and flow and those tiny dancer’s feet!
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Jeffrey and Steve
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OHhhh Clive how beautiful, you have brought me to tears – all my love from New Zealand,
Pamela xxx
Pamela, your Jeffrey is the most wonderful creature. In the films you’ve sent I absolutely love that incredible focus he has on everything that passes in front of him. It’s as though the experience of life is minted afresh for every moment of his day. Watching him is a joyful experience. No wonder the Ancient Egyptians had an honoured place in their pantheon for the cat!
The photograph reminds me a bit of my tiny, silky Burmese, Dunya, who lived for 17 years. Never had another cat love me so much.
I’d been watching films of Jeffery that Pamela posted on Facebook, and I realised afterwards that I’d been smiling non-stop, ear-to-ear.
Lovely! Ah, they can be bewitching…
My little cat liked to ride between shirt and a sweater or hoodie, and pop her head out to watch the world. The cat-in-the-hood shot took me back there.
I hope Pamela knows Christopher Smart’s homage to his cat of the same name in “Jubilate Agno!”
I’ve seen photographs of Jeffrey in Steve’s pocket, body and legs crammed into a space the size of a small cup, but with this comical head sticking out. Priceless!
ha! my cats range from 16-23 pounds…sounds like a bad idea
Except of course that Smart spelt his cat’s name Jeoffry ‘For I am possesed of a cat surpassing in beauty’
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/11/25/paul-bommer-christopher-smart-his-cat-jeoffry/
Thank you, Paul, for the link to your splendid illustrated version of Smart’s paean to that well-loved cat-cat-of-many-qualities.
ack! i love those kohl-lined eyes, the pattern on his left hip, the hooked tail, and yes! the tiny, tiny paws
what a lovely photo, as well–fantastic angle, perfect cat-character
Jeffrey’s paws are amazing. His toes appear to be far more dextrous than I’ve seen in other breeds, and as a result they really do give the illusion of fingers. In reality his paws are quite large, a fact you notice when he’s concentrating on using them in a hand-like way. However because his back legs are so much longer than his front ones, the illusion given when he’s running around playing/hunting/teasing, is of a ballerina, all elegantly high extensions and pointy-toed speed.
more photos are up! what a creature, i am in love! those ears, too, are wonderful, and i love the way you have rendered them… it’s really clever how you’ve translated those toes…
jeffrey, come to america!!
I think Jeffrey is happy with his current humans in New Zealand, more’s the pity. I’d have him in a flash!!!
Jeffrey is a handsome boy, what a nimble shadow puppet he will be.
I do hope so.
He is everso sprightly, something you have captured perfectly Clive.
As a man who’s captured cats with a splendid insight yourself, Mr Bommer, I shall accept that as praise from one who knows! (-;
What a character! Yes lovely dainty dancer
I could look at Jeffrey all day!