The Court Painter Was Missing Only One Thing: A Subject
Against the darkness, a black cat shines with amber eyes. He wears a flat velvet cap trimmed in gold, a black velvet coat with golden embroidery, and a froth of white lace at the throat. In one paw he holds a wooden palette crowded with bright blobs of red, blue, yellow, and white paint, the only splash of color in the picture. His whiskers are bright against his dark fur, and his gaze is steady and thoughtful, the stare of an artist studying a subject.
Black cats are often overlooked in shelters, a trend some call black cat bias, though adoption groups work hard to show how wonderful they are. Their personalities are as varied as any other cat's, from calm lap-sitters to mischievous climbers. Black coats can look rusty or brown in strong sunlight, which is a harmless and common change in some cats. Providing perches, toys, and scratching posts keeps any cat busy and happy, and a regular visit to the vet is the best way to keep a cat healthy. If you are thinking of adopting, a shelter can help you find a good match.
Whatever the painter is working on, it is surely a masterpiece, probably a portrait of a favorite sunbeam. Do not touch the paints, though. A cat's paw prints are famous, but this artist is rather particular about them.
