Barnaby, a stout ginger and white tabby, was a simple creature. He enjoyed naps in sunbeams, the sound of the treat jar opening, and occasionally chasing invisible dust bunnies. He did not enjoy high art.
His companion, however, was determined to unlock Barnaby’s inner creative genius.
One Tuesday evening, she laid a trap on the living room rug. It was a canvas slathered in thick blobs of various blue and white acrylic paints. Crucially, the entire messy affair was covered tightly with clear plastic cling wrap.
Barnaby approached cautiously. It smelled faintly of chemicals and plastic. He was unimpressed and turned to leave.
Knowing her audience, his person sprinkled a generous dusting of high grade catnip and crushed salmon treats across the surface of the plastic.
Suddenly, Barnaby was very interested in art.
Barnaby stepped onto the crinkly surface. He sniffed intently, his whiskers twitching as he located the savory morsels. With every step and every press of his nose to retrieve a treat, his weight pushed down on the plastic barrier.
Underneath, the wet paint squished and slid. Deep indigo blended into bright azure, creating organic, cellular shapes that Barnaby neither noticed nor cared about. He was focused solely on the snack extraction mission. He kneaded the plastic surface, unwittingly marbling the colors below into a chaotic, watery landscape.
Once the treats were gone, so was Barnaby’s artistic temperament. He shook his paws, disdainful of the crinkly plastic, and departed for a nap.
She took over. She carefully peeled away the plastic, revealing the raw, chaotic patterns Barnaby’s paws had wrought. Once the blue landscape was dry, she spent hours with a fine brush and metallic gold paint. She traced the edges of the shapes Barnaby had created, turning accidental smudges into gilded islands and swirling nebulas. The final result was a striking piece of abstract expressionism.
Finally, it was time for the unveiling. The painting was propped against the couch cushions. Barnaby was placed next to it for the official artist portrait.
Barnaby sat in a perfect loaf, gazing away from his creation with profound indifference. He might not have realized he painted it, but as he sat next to the shimmering blue and gold canvas, he seemed to understand one thing: he was the star of the show.
Shannon Willis can usually be found in the company of furry friends. A passionate animal enthusiast, her work is often inspired by her deep love for cats, dogs, and the animal kingdom as a whole.
