Ulysses’ Pet Portrait

BY ERICA ERIKSDOTTER

This painting was commissioned by a client in Virginia at the same time as Minerva’s Portrait. She commissioned them as a holiday gift for her husband. She shared with me that they rescued Ulysses four years ago, when he was four. Today he is eight and a mommas boy, perfect at cuddling, hanging out wherever she is, and also is quiet the talker. Maybe he was a royal kitty cat in a past life because he definitely has that regal essence to him. I loved being in the studio working on him because he had such calmness over him.

The client gave me free range with the background color, a bravery that is always appreciated. I knew Ulysses and Minerva would hang next to each other and yet because of their differences it was challenging to find a color that would work for both of them. Instead, I honored their differences and at the same time linked them together – the lightest shade of this green is picked up from Ulysses eye color, and Minerva’s fur is what inspired Ulysses’ background color of charcoal gray. A subtle, yet meaningful connection to tie them together. Doesn’t the charcoal gray look so good against his orange and white fur and long whiskers?