Provenance - In the Studio

"In the Studio," 30"x30" oil on linen © Brian Kliewer

I haven't done a "Provenance" post for quite a while (can't believe it's been a year). So I thought I would write about "In the Studio," and its inspiration.

Pepper was a great cat. A Maine Coon Cat, he weighed 20 lbs at full growth. He used to keep me company as I painted, preferring the chair in the window as you see him in this painting. In the painting, it's a foggy sort of day but with the sun burning through. The composition set up naturally with Pepper being "pointed to" by the way the window frame forms its shape around him. I also like the way the power lines outside balance the blackness of the chair and its shadows. Another point worth mentioning is how the hard and sharp angles of the woodwork are balanced by the soft nature of Pepper's fur and shape. I've been extremely pleased with this painting on several fronts. So much so, it hung in my studio for ten years before I ever showed it publicly.

He was a very friendly cat, almost to the point of being obnoxious. One time he got into my studio ahead of me. I didn't realize the door was open and when I arrived, he bolted down the hallway. But he left a trail of red footprints behind. At first I thought he'd cut himself on something but, further investigation revealed he'd gotten into my palette. I wasted no time in tracking him down and cleaning his paws. He was OK, but I worried about him for a time after that, afraid he might have ingested some of the paint.

We had a good relationship. I've mentioned on my site before that he would lead me to the studio each morning. But it went even further than that. We developed a game. One time, I was standing in the doorway half watching TV, and then looking back at Pepper as he was at the other end of the hall. When I looked back toward the TV, and then back at him, he'd be a step closer. Each time I looked away and then back, he would be closer again. I never saw him move. Eventually he traveled the full length of the hall until he was at my feet. Not once did I ever see him take a step. After he'd come the full distance I would pick him up and give him a big hug. This became part of our routine.

His sister, Sissy, was quite a cat herself. She had to fend for herself around him because he always wanted to roughhouse with her.

More proof of just how smart cats can be....

Pepper would often get into chases with Sissy all over the house. He could have killed or badly injured her quite easily, being twice her size. Anyway, one time they were galloping full throttle throughout the house. They both ended up on the living room floor panting heavily. But the chase wasn't over... Soon, Pepper was at it again. By this time, Sissy had had enough. So, as they came running from one end of the house, they both were headed full steam toward the front door. With Pepper on her heels, right at the very last moment, Sissy jumped into the air and pushed off the door with her hind legs as Pepper went smashing into it below her. She had had quite enough at that point and she was going to finish it one way or another. Pepper looked dazed and got up slowly and planted himself on the carpet beside her. That was the end of the chase.

If I hadn't seen this happen, I wouldn't have believed it. This is kind of an example of "tool" use among animals. I guess you could say that this was Sissy's way of showing Pepper the door!

(black frame)

Sissy was a gray Coon Cat. I never did get any paintings done of her. I'm sorry for that. Pepper died in 2002 and Sissy followed in 2003. Both sadly missed and fondly remembered.