6 Purr-fect Portraits That Showcase Feline Personalities
Whether rendered in colored pencil, pastel, oil, or charcoal, these cool cats take top honors.
Top Cat Winner
“We adopted Harry and his brother, Sam, both brown-and-white tabbies, when we were living in Manhattan, and both returned with us to Maryland. From the start, Harry loved to have his picture taken. Not that he understood what I was doing, of course, but he always perked up and stared directly at me when I approached with a camera. He wouldn’t get up or try to sniff the lens; instead, he’d hold his pose, maintaining eye contact, while I took photos. When I moved, he’d adjust his own position accordingly and stare at the camera again. It was uncanny, sometimes, that response, that connection. Then there was the fact that he and Sam both liked to sit wherever the sunlight came streaming in as bright bars through the not-quite-closed Venetian blinds. Apparently, tabbies believe you can never have enough stripes.”—Deborah Maklowski
Why It Stands Out
“This wonderful drawing immediately stood out to me and drew me in with its compelling and beautifully rendered shadows. Upon further inspection, the mark-making on the textiles and fur were amazingly drawn. One of the most important elements in the success of a piece is getting the values correct, as they give it depth and form, and this artist executed them perfectly. Harry’s pose and pensive gaze really engaged me as well, making this a very thoughtfully drawn piece deserving of first place.”—Kathryn Hansen, Juror
Meet the Artist
Maryland artist Deborah Maklowski received her bachelor of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and spent 30 years working for the Department of Defense before retiring and returning to art full time. She often draws her cats, but otherwise focuses on the landscape and landscape-inspired motifs, producing work in the studio and en plein air in acrylic, colored pencil, pastel, mixed media, graphite, and ink. With an emphasis on excellence in composition, her primary goals are to manipulate color, value, line, and edges to draw the viewer into and around the picture plane; to create the illusion of atmosphere and depth; and to provide an engaging mental space in which viewers are invited to find their own compelling story in the work.
She’s a dual Signature Member and past president of the Colored Pencil Society of America; a Signature Member and past president of the Maryland Pastel Society; and a member of the Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington D.C., the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, and the International Society of Experimental Artists. Her award-winning work has been shown in New York City; Paris; Carmel, Calif.; Cape Cod, Mass.; and Alexandria, Va., and has been featured in numerous publications.
An Animal Artist’s Greatest Asset
“I suspect opinions vary here, but in my estimation, the most critical factor is empathy,” says Maklowski. “Each and every living creature is an individual, with his or her own personality and uniquely expressive physiognomy, and cats are no exception. I know my own cats very well, and I’ll decide to draw one only when I’m certain that my photo has caught the essence of that individual cat. It then becomes my job not only to capture the likeness, but also—and more powerfully—to help the viewer look past the externals and connect on a visceral level with that one special living creature.”
Honorable Mentions
“Love You is a white Persian cat that I drew for a friend. It was difficult to depict the texture of his long, soft, and silky fur. I loved working on her blue eyes with multiple shades. Love You remains one of the portraits that I enjoyed creating the most.”—Cécile Carrega
WHY IT STANDS OUT
“What caught my eye instantly was the direct and intense gaze of this beautifully painted kitty. Those eyes held me in place for a long time. The artist was so smart to intensify the cat’s eyes by painting a blue background and foreground. Having such a limited palette like this really sets a mood and creates a lovely harmony that enhances the composition. The rendering of the fur is so beautifully handled that I can almost feel the softness of it. It’s such a stunning piece that I kept coming back to it again and again.”—Kathryn Hansen, Juror
“Mad Kitty is a pastel portrait of a white ragdoll kitten with a fierce attitude. The contrast between light and dark helped me create the abstract feel. This piece was inspired by a brave and beautiful kitten I met. I was taken not only by the kitten and its personality but also by the contrast of its white fur against the dark hallway behind it.”—Nancy Ness
WHY IT STANDS OUT
“This incredible piece initially gave me a good chuckle, as I’ve had hair days like this. But the artist clearly understands how to draw a viewer in with their unique style of mark-making. This painterly style is filled with emotion, spontaneity, energy, and movement, which is very exciting. The deep shadows, whiskers, and powerful gaze of just one eye are beautifully painted. The expressive expression on the cat’s face makes this a compelling painting worthy of placing it in my Top 5.”—Kathryn Hansen, Juror
“My lovely friends, Ollie and Simon, were the inspiration for this painting. It was a winter afternoon, and the sun was streaming through the window. I loved the way they were snuggled together. This painting flowed easily and came together with some good success.”—Juanita Nelson
WHY IT STANDS OUT
“What drew me to this piece straight away was the amazing lighting. Lighting of a subject is one of the key aspects in a good composition. Not only does it add depth to the piece, but as viewers, we respond to it emotionally. In this piece the light makes the cats appear to jump right off the surface, along with the artists’ clever and thoughtful use of mark-making. Every area of this beautifully executed piece is well thought out, yet seemingly instinctive. These kitties are a total joy to look at—and it’s such a memorable painting.”—Kathryn Hansen, Juror
“I believe the best subjects are those close to us. I love cats for their grace and their soft, delicate fur. I find there’s no pose cats take that isn’t photogenic. My challenge was to capture the atmosphere of serenity that emanated from this peaceful moment featuring my beloved cat. I chose to use complementary colors; the cold blue contrasted well with the warmth of the orange. I also chose to illustrate the contrast between the fabric details and the broad brushstrokes to define the cat’s fur to draw the viewer’s attention into the painting.”—Dominique Bisson
WHY IT STANDS OUT
“What caught my attention in this painting was the beautiful use of complementary colors. Orange and blue are opposite each other on the color wheel and are a natural fit, especially when used in saturated shades. They create a high contrast when used together, which results in a dynamic, vibrant look. The adept use of strong angles led my eye to the focus of this piece—the kitty. Confident and lively brushstrokes, as well as the lovely lighting on the fur, make this painting a winning piece.”—Kathryn Hansen, Juror
“I was inspired by my cat, Kropka, and I’m pleased that I captured her character, especially in her eyes and smile. I planned to expose her dark pelage over a brighter, abstract background for a greater contrast. It was a hard task to show the value nuances between her hairs while maintaining an impression of their softness, but I think I got good results.”—Filip Kolat
WHY IT STANDS OUT
“This piece captured my heart right away with its bold, intriguing mark-making. The marks on the right side look like claw marks, mimicking the way the light hits the cat’s whiskers, which is so inventive. And that little dash of light on his nose, breaking up the black, was beautifully thought out. All of that, plus the cat’s sweet expression, countered by his claws being out, sealed the deal for me. Awarding this wonderful piece has been a great pleasure.”—Kathryn Hansen, Juror
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