Encounters With Doby in Wonderland

The smallest feline is a masterpiece, often found lounging in the sun. ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Doby the Cat, mixed media by K. M. Anderson

The subject of meditation is often discussed here at Whisperia. One reason for this is because it’s an excellent way for us to attune ourselves to something other than the external material world about us…

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Back in March, I posted yet another article focused on this topic of meditation. In it, I shared that - on most mornings - I meditate in my bathtub. I included a photograph of this particular place in our home and discussed some of the reasons why this particular setting was conducive for me to enter a meditative state. (To read this article entitled “Mastication, Rumination and Meditation,” see link just below.)

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Not long after publishing that article, I had a challenging experience with sciatic back pain that was, initially, so debilitating I could hardly walk. Getting in and out of the tub was out of the question. Just like that, I could no longer meditate in my bathtub each morning.

While recuperating, I was commissioned by a woman in New York to paint a watercolor portrait of a deceased cat. She wanted to present this painting as a gift to an important person in her life.

Usually, when painting an animal portrait, I try to meet the animal in person. During this meet- and-greet session, I take many photographs from different angles, in different kinds of light, and from various distances. I use this time to interact with the animal, to sense the animal’s personality and to observe its movements and expressions. What could be worse than rendering a portrait that in all respects faithfully pictures a beloved pet, but that fails to capture the essence of their spirit? However, it’s not always possible to meet an animal that I’m commissioned to paint. Certainly, it’s impossible if the animal is deceased.

By Louis Wain, in the public domain

I’ve been confronted with just this circumstance in the past. My way of dealing with this has been to obtain as many photos as possible. In addition, I ask the client (person commissioning the painting) to complete a questionnaire regarding the deceased animal subject.

Now, in this case, even the completion of the questionnaire was problematic as the the woman commissioning the painting had not been the owner of the deceased cat. The cat belonged to someone for whom she wanted to purchase a portrait and to bestow it as a gift. But, she wanted it to be a surprise. Therefore, she couldn’t ask too many questions about the cat...

So, I couldn’t meet or interact with the cat. There were only a limited number of photos available. Moreover, the client didn’t even have much information. How could I become “acquainted” with this beloved cat?

Perhaps the most important ingredient in my attempts to create animal portraits is that of patiently meditating and “meeting” the animal. Yes, before and during the process of painting a client’s pet, I meditate about and with the animal. I send my thoughts inward and I focus my attention, fully, on the animal. Inwardly, I watch the animal, allowing it to “come alive, ” while observing it’s movements and expressions; interacting with it while my concentration is fixed upon it; opening myself to whatever it wants to show me about itself; and absorbing whatever information, feelings, thoughts, or messages the animal shares with me.

Truly, the person who stated

“Every cat carries a secret - an ancient wisdom known only to those who are patient enough to listen,”

was articulating an important truth. For me, this is so, not only concerning cats, but about all animals, just a few of whom I’ve had the privilege to paint or draw.

By Louis Wain, in the public domain

Now, to return to the description of my process: After going within, I ask for help. I ask for guidance.

Sometimes, for several days and nights, I’m obsessed.

This process, as described above is what I did regarding Doby, the deceased cat I was to paint for my client in New York. During this encounter with him, he revealed his nobility; a nobility that transcends time.

Upon completing the portrait, I sent the client photos. She said it was beautiful. However, I wasn’t so concerned with whether it was “beautiful.” What concerned me (and what always concerns me when doing animal portraits) is whether or not I’ve “captured” the essence of the animal. I want to reveal the qualities of personality that the client sees in their animal friend. With further probing, I found that she didn’t feel that the painting showed the playful nature of the cat. I told her that I’d gladly do another portrait.

By Louis Wain, in the public domain

This was the first time I had missed. When I say I “missed,” I mean that I didn’t immediately capture what the client was seeking. But, I was glad that she’d been honest with me. The last thing I wanted was for this client to be less than pleased and enthusiastic about a portrait they’d commissioned me to do.

I made an inner decision to look upon this as a learning experience. Of course, I wasn’t sure exactly what I needed to learn, but I decided I would do so.

However, for several days I felt very tired and I didn’t want to paint. I suppose these may have been symptoms of a small crisis of confidence. Anyway, after several days, I decided it was time to re-visit Doby in Cat Wonderland. I re-embarked on an inward meditative journey in which I focused, once again, on Doby the Cat. After a few days during which I seemed to eat, sleep and dream - all while focused on this little feline - he sent me an image. I caught and held this image in my mind’s eye. This image was one in which Doby, looked with fascination and playfulness at a fluttering butterfly in a field bathed in bright sunlight.

Beyond this message from Doby, I received another message: The client was going to tell me that she wanted both portraits, since each one captured different aspects of Doby’s personality. In light of this, I should use the same palette of colors I’d used for the first painting, enabling the paintings to be viewed as a “set.”

This was it! I began painting afresh with enthusiasm.

Doby the Cat II, mixed media, by K. M. Anderson

After completing the second painting, I sent the client some photos. During our subsequent conversation she said she was thrilled. Moreover, she informed me that she wanted to purchase both paintings! She wanted them both so that the recipient of the gifts could display them as a set that would show various aspects of her former, but still beloved cat.

I was very happy.

Since then, I’ve mulled over the question: What did I learn?

I learned that it’s alright for the creative process to take a bit longer via some detours. I learned that I shouldn’t allow myself to be discouraged. More importantly, I was struck - once again - by the fact that accessing wisdom and knowledge from within is extremely helpful. I was reminded that this kind of knowledge is incredibly accurate and predictive. During these meditations, Doby showed me how to paint him. But, I was also shown that the client was going to want to purchase both paintings as a set. Knowing this ahead of time guided me to use the same color palette, enabling me to create the second painting as one of a pair.

Here at Whisperia, I often encourage readers to meditate, to go within. Above is just a little sample of how effective, enlightening, gratifying and practical this can be. I’m thankful to Doby. His interactions with me helped me to paint him and helped me to recover during a physically challenging period.

By the way, at this point, I’m able to enter and exit my bathtub. So, I’m meditating in my “sensory deprivation tank,” once again!

Until next time,

K. M. Anderson

PhD, Metaphysics

PhD, Spiritual Counseling

Whisperia

P. S. You may have noticed that I’ve included a few charming images created by Louis Wain, a remarkable artist who was instrumental in changing several societies’ perceptions and feelings about cats. I hope you enjoy his delightful artwork!

By Louis Wain, in the public domain