The Intimate Forest

A Celebration of the Beauty of Nature in Oil Paintings by Harlan

 

Tracey's Cat Bertie

Bertie, Tracey's Cat

Oil on Canvas 16x20 2006

In the collection of Tracey Allyn Greene

Tracey asked me if I would be willing to do a Pet Portrait Swap with her for EBSQ's annual show. I was delighted! Tracey and I both love and own a lot of pets. Tracey sent me quite a few photos of some of her cats and out of all of them, I choose Bertie. Bertie was a victim of Hurricane Katrina and Tracey rescued her and gave her a loving home. It had been close to 25 years or more since I have painted a cat which might be considered a bit odd given that I have always had a lot of cats and love their company. Painting Bertie was a challenge. I not only wanted to capture Bertie's purrsonality but the softness of that beautiful fur.