Angela Cater's Pet Portraits & Illustration
Welcome to my Cat Gallery
Samson 1990 - 2008
Samson was originally a farm cat and had several homes before deciding that he was going to live with me. He was a remarkably good looking tabby and a great conversationalist. At the grand age of 15, he won third prize in a world's cutest pet competition, and went on to star in two of my children's picture books. There are now at least two kittens named "Sailor Sam in his memory. He died in June 2008, aged almost 18, after a short battle against cancer of the colon.
Samson was originally a farm cat and had several homes before deciding that he was going to live with me. He was a remarkably good looking tabby and a great conversationalist. At the grand age of 15, he won third prize in a world's cutest pet competition, and went on to star in two of my children's picture books. There are now at least two kittens named "Sailor Sam in his memory. He died in June 2008, aged almost 18, after a short battle against cancer of the colon.
Old Jack 1988 - 2006
Jack lived with me for just 9 months. I don't know where he came from but was a very old and frail cat with a deformed sternum and obvious kidney problems. He had certainly experienced a lot of cruelty in his long life and could never relax enough to become the lap-cat that he wanted to be. He wasn't much of a beauty but I liked his squinting old face. He collapsed and died during the heatwave of July 2006.
Jack lived with me for just 9 months. I don't know where he came from but was a very old and frail cat with a deformed sternum and obvious kidney problems. He had certainly experienced a lot of cruelty in his long life and could never relax enough to become the lap-cat that he wanted to be. He wasn't much of a beauty but I liked his squinting old face. He collapsed and died during the heatwave of July 2006.
Henry (1992 - 2009)
Henry came to me in 1995 as his owner worked away a lot and couldn't look after him properly. At first, he was vicious to say the least, but we gradually established a three stroke rule. He mellowed in later years but still remained somewhat grumpy and unpredictable. He was a very good footballer (we almost named him Eric, after Cantona) and also had a keen interest in gardening television programmes.
Henry came to me in 1995 as his owner worked away a lot and couldn't look after him properly. At first, he was vicious to say the least, but we gradually established a three stroke rule. He mellowed in later years but still remained somewhat grumpy and unpredictable. He was a very good footballer (we almost named him Eric, after Cantona) and also had a keen interest in gardening television programmes.
Molly (1992 - 2009)
Molly came from the same household as Henry and they spent their whole lives together. One of her earlier less endearing habits was scratching at the wooden toilet door - until we could eventually see daylight through it. She was a typical teenage girl who loved handbags, shoes and older boys and thought that every telephone call was meant for her.
Molly came from the same household as Henry and they spent their whole lives together. One of her earlier less endearing habits was scratching at the wooden toilet door - until we could eventually see daylight through it. She was a typical teenage girl who loved handbags, shoes and older boys and thought that every telephone call was meant for her.
Bruiser (1985 est. - 2005)
Bruiser was a shy stray cat who lived behind our dustbin for a number of years until a particularly harsh winter forced him to pluck up enough courage to come indoors. Back then, he was so malnourished that his coat was dull and grey and he had no whiskers. Several years of good food, warmth and love made the world of difference. Due to his rough start in life, Bruiser was a chronic carrier of cat-flu and had a recurring growth in his mouth which required several operations. Despite this, he was a very happy and appreciative cat and his snores and purrs could be heard all over the house. He had a lovely nature and was a great teacher to younger cats. He died in May 2005 after a short illness and will be forever missed.
Bruiser was a shy stray cat who lived behind our dustbin for a number of years until a particularly harsh winter forced him to pluck up enough courage to come indoors. Back then, he was so malnourished that his coat was dull and grey and he had no whiskers. Several years of good food, warmth and love made the world of difference. Due to his rough start in life, Bruiser was a chronic carrier of cat-flu and had a recurring growth in his mouth which required several operations. Despite this, he was a very happy and appreciative cat and his snores and purrs could be heard all over the house. He had a lovely nature and was a great teacher to younger cats. He died in May 2005 after a short illness and will be forever missed.
Jet (1987 - 1995)
This is a portrait that I painted in remembrance of Jet following his death in February 1995 of both Feline Leukaemia and Feline AIDS. I obtained him from a shelter in Sheffield as soon as I left college and was able to have a cat again. He was for me the perfect cat, never any trouble, and we were totally besotted with each other. Nursing him through his long illness was mentally and physically exhausting, but there was plenty of time to prepare and make his last months as happy as possible.
This is a portrait that I painted in remembrance of Jet following his death in February 1995 of both Feline Leukaemia and Feline AIDS. I obtained him from a shelter in Sheffield as soon as I left college and was able to have a cat again. He was for me the perfect cat, never any trouble, and we were totally besotted with each other. Nursing him through his long illness was mentally and physically exhausting, but there was plenty of time to prepare and make his last months as happy as possible.
Morgan (1991- 1994)
Morgan was a young stray cat who joined our household when I was living in Sheffield. He had a great sense of humour and seemed to enjoy making people laugh with his ridiculous positions and antics. Having never had a day's illness in his life, he died very suddenly of Feline Leukaemia in November 1994. Morgan provided the model for my painting "Cat Dracula" which is my best-selling greeting card.
Morgan was a young stray cat who joined our household when I was living in Sheffield. He had a great sense of humour and seemed to enjoy making people laugh with his ridiculous positions and antics. Having never had a day's illness in his life, he died very suddenly of Feline Leukaemia in November 1994. Morgan provided the model for my painting "Cat Dracula" which is my best-selling greeting card.
Felix and Sid
Felix and Sid belonged to our next-door-but-one neighbours and seemed to view our house and garden as an extension of their own. I used Felix as a model a number of times as he was very striking with that pretty 'beauty spot.'
The family later moved to Shropshire taking the cats with them. Felix loved the new country life but Sid went missing soon after.
The family later moved to Shropshire taking the cats with them. Felix loved the new country life but Sid went missing soon after.
ARTHUR (1985 approx - )
Arthur belongs to my parents and being female, is quite inappropriately named. She was living in their garden for many years before a cold winter made her decide to ignore the resident dogs and move in. We have since discovered that she originally lived just a few streets away and was called "Diamond". She is a very friendly and pleasant natured cat, and I enjoy making a fuss of her whenever I visit my family. She is however an absolute terror where birds are concerned, and similarly will line up rows of dead mice as an offering. We are unsure of her age but she is certainly in the region of 25 years old and still shows no signs of giving up hunting. A few years ago, she had to have the tips of her ears removed due to skin cancer but this seems to have given her a new lease of life.
Arthur belongs to my parents and being female, is quite inappropriately named. She was living in their garden for many years before a cold winter made her decide to ignore the resident dogs and move in. We have since discovered that she originally lived just a few streets away and was called "Diamond". She is a very friendly and pleasant natured cat, and I enjoy making a fuss of her whenever I visit my family. She is however an absolute terror where birds are concerned, and similarly will line up rows of dead mice as an offering. We are unsure of her age but she is certainly in the region of 25 years old and still shows no signs of giving up hunting. A few years ago, she had to have the tips of her ears removed due to skin cancer but this seems to have given her a new lease of life.
Bill and Bert
Bill and Bert belonged to my friends Terry and Liza who used to live just around the corner from me. They are both very friendly and striking looking cats, especially Bill with his white muzzle and shirt front. Sadly, Bill had to have one hind leg amputated in 1999 due to a tumour, but he recovered very well from his ordeal and continued to model for me.
Bill and Bert belonged to my friends Terry and Liza who used to live just around the corner from me. They are both very friendly and striking looking cats, especially Bill with his white muzzle and shirt front. Sadly, Bill had to have one hind leg amputated in 1999 due to a tumour, but he recovered very well from his ordeal and continued to model for me.
Henry & Molly (1992 - 2009)
Henry and Molly were 3 years old when they were given to me as a pair. They had a love-hate relationship - a mutual grooming was usual followed by a box round the ears. They spent their whole lives together and in October of this year, they went into decline and were put to sleep together.
Henry and Molly were 3 years old when they were given to me as a pair. They had a love-hate relationship - a mutual grooming was usual followed by a box round the ears. They spent their whole lives together and in October of this year, they went into decline and were put to sleep together.
