Original artwork description:

This is a portrait of Milou, a much loved family member. I very rarely paint or draw traditional, life-like images of animals, with the exception of my Aesop's fable etchings and marine life in my fantasy mermaid etchings. However, watching Milou curled up looking so content on the stair, I couldn't possibly resist.

The inspiration behind the chalk drawing is the poem "Half Way Up The Stairs" written by A.A Milne - author of Winnie The Poo, later sung by Kermit The Frog to a charming little tune which became a popular song on Top-Of-The-Pops in the late 70's. I remember the song well from my childhood, and have always been particularly drawn to the words which I think fit very well with the image, and my personal image of Milou as a calm, intelligent, philosophical and contemplative cat:

THE VERSE:

"Half way up the stairs is the stair where I sit.
There isn't any other stair quite like it.
It's not at the bottom, it's not at the top,
So, this is the stair where I always stop.

Half way up the stairs isn't up or isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery, it isn't in the town.
All sorts of funny thoughts run round my head.
It isn't really anywhere, it's somewhere else instead."

A.A. Milne

MY OWN INTERPRETATION OF THE SONG CORRESPONDING TO MY IMAGE: "CAT ON STAIR".

""Half way up the stairs" is a sacred place - a place of refuge, or a place which is neither here, nor there, but which offers respite in order to reflect upon the meaning of life and the universe."

Materials used:

Chalk on sugar-paper

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