The little guy in the painting is my cat, Ike. I wanted to render a version of Ike that would not give people allergies. Jokes aside, I chose to paint Ike because he makes me feel both cozy and tense at the same time. This freehand painting offers a comforting pallet juxtaposed with Ike’s intense gaze from above. These aspects speak to a cat’s primal nature, which is playful and affectionate yet mysterious and sometimes naughty. You never know a cat’s next move. I appreciate that they are incredibly flexible and can jump impressive heights. I like to believe, I too, can harness a cat’s superpower by aiming high and pushing limits.