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A grandma in glasses paints a landscape at a wooden easel in her garden while a black Maine Coon lies in the grass beside it. 17 / 24

Grandma Nell Set Up Her Easel in the Garden. Her Model Showed Up Uninvited.

AI imagemaine coonpaintinggarden

A wooden field easel stands in the middle of the backyard garden, its legs pressed into the grass and a paint-smeared palette resting on the tray. Nell sits beside it in her denim shirt and glasses, braid trailing down her back, brush poised over a small canvas filled with soft greens and sky blue. Lavender and herbs bloom in clay pots along the path behind her, and a watering can rests near the fence. Stretched out in the grass right at the foot of the easel lies Onyx, his long black coat spread like a shaggy rug, his paws tucked under his chest, and his golden eyes gazing out with calm, regal patience. He looks every bit the artist's model, whether or not he is in the painting.

Painting outdoors with a pet nearby can be a relaxing creative ritual, but art supplies call for a little caution around cats. Many paints, solvents, and thinners contain chemicals that can be harmful if licked or absorbed through paw pads, and cats groom themselves constantly, so any paint on their fur can end up being swallowed. Keep palettes, brush water, and open containers out of reach, choose nontoxic, water-based paints when possible, and clean up spills right away. If a cat gets paint on its fur, gently wipe it off with a damp cloth and contact your vet if you are unsure.

Onyx seems perfectly content to keep his distance from the palette, lounging in the sun as Nell works. Maybe the next canvas will feature a large, shaggy black cat in the garden. He certainly looks ready for his portrait.

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A grandma with a silver braid sorts old black-and-white photographs on a table while a black Maine Coon sniffs the pile.Grandma Nell Emptied a Shoebox of Old Photos. Onyx Had to Inspect Each One.A grandma with a silver braid gently bathes a soaked black Maine Coon cat in a galvanized metal tub in the backyard.Grandma Nell Filled the Old Washtub. Onyx Did Not Agree to This.A grandma with a silver braid holds a damp black Maine Coon wrapped in a chunky cream knit blanket by a rainy doorway.The Rain Came Down Hard on the Walk Home, and Grandma Nell Had a PlanA grandma with a silver braid holds out a vanilla ice cream cone as a black Maine Coon cat sniffs and licks the scoop.It Was Too Hot to Do Anything Except Eat Ice Cream, So Grandma Nell Shared