This is an homage to my cat Shari, with whom I used to walk within a little natural resort of a nearby stream. In this painting, I have combined different styles of art informal and a few realistic elements (e.g., the head of the cat). Additionally, the light during the so-called blue hour highlights reflections on the waves and contrasts with the deep blue shadows of trees and branches. The roughly indicated few ducks in the back seem to doze on the water already. The pet in the front appears to enjoy the last beam of the evening sun, but the mystic atmosphere of the contrasting light in the whole painting may already lead to an upcoming tragedy.
It came out one day that Shari’s naturally protected area, where she was safe, became too small. So the kitten stretched her exploring walks beyond its borders, where one day she was overrun by a subway train whose line was cutting her playground.
I would be happy if her story might also point to the threat and stress for highly endangered species like her bigger relatives in Asia and Africa. Their traditional living areas for tigers and cheetahs are massively reduced and fragmented by human settlements, roads, agricultural land use, etc. To avoid wild animals becoming extinct, human behavior must be controlled more effectively. Mourning alone won’t help them.