A feline version of Vermeer's 'the girl with the pearl'. The iconic combination of the soft blue turban and a shiny pearl that precisely catches the light. The warm ochre tones in the cloak contrast with the deep, black background, adding life to the green eyes and long whiskers. The famous Dutch light and calm of a classic museum portrait combined with the world's favourite pet: our house and garden tiger.
The idea came about during an evening in the living room, when the cat gave exactly that "what's over there?" look. In digital, oil-like layers of paint, I slowly built up the light: first the large areas, then the subtle sheen on the pearl, the silk folds of the turban and finally the sparkles in the eyes. If you look closer, you will see small highlights on the whiskers and soft transitions around the nose bridge details that make the portrait almost tangible.
The work feels at once chic and playful. It fits above a sideboard, in the hall or children's room, but also does surprisingly well in a coffee shop or boutique. The message is simple: a smile on the wall, with a nod to the old masters and a big dose of cat charm.
Created by Studio Ypie with support from AI.
I let my passion for art and design express itself on all kinds of media. Since I could hold a pencil, my creativity quickly flowed from my head onto paper. My education at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam further sharpened my skills and broadened my horizons, .. Read more…