Harold by Anni Morris

Comments

What an interesting excerpt. I've never heard of Louis Wain, but will certainly look into his work, as it sounds fascinating. I love this painting - it's whimsical, yet captures all the essence of the feline. And I love the Cheshire Cat grin!

Posted by Seok Yam Chew on Sat 26 Mar 06:55:14

Hello Seok Yam Chew, Thanks for viewing this and your thoughtful comment. Louis Wain drew/painted thousands of cats. They are often portrayed in comical scenes, wearing human clothes. Glad you like Harold. Kind regards ~ Anni www.annimorris.com

Posted by Anni Morris on Sat 26 Mar 07:49:23

What a happy portrait of Harold, just the sort of pusscat you want to meet first thing in the morning ( although my Wolfhound might not agree). Thank you for the information about Louis Wain too I will look out for more of his work.

Posted by Brenda Wren on Sat 26 Mar 08:13:29

Hahaha!! Fabulous, would love to see this when i open my eyes in the morning cos it would make me smile!!

Posted by angi m. hackett on Sat 26 Mar 08:45:24

Hi Brenda, Thanks for looking at this and your comments. I think Harold would feel somewhat dwarfed by your Wolfhound and his grin might disappear. I'll expect you will start to see Louis Wans work everywhere now it has been mentioned (that is what usually happens). Kind regards ~ Anni www.annimorris.com

Posted by Anni Morris on Sat 26 Mar 10:11:02

Angi, If this painting has made you smile it has been worth painting. I hope your long cold winter up there is coming to an end and you have a beautiful and warmer spring. Kind regards ~ Anni www.annimorris.com

Posted by Anni Morris on Sat 26 Mar 10:12:57

I know the work of Louis Wain, and I like your big, fat, happy, marmalade cat.

Posted by Robert Jones, NAPA on Sat 26 Mar 20:26:33

Hello Robert thanks for taking the time to view this and comment. Yes I think most of us would have seen a Louis Wain cat somewhere, his work is popular and was very widespread. It is now very collectable. Kind regards ~ Anni

Posted by Anni Morris on Sun 27 Mar 08:28:26

Hi~Anni. Instant recognition as ever...one day just one day when I'm too old to travel I will finally get my cat...she will be just like this. Hope all is well in your world too? Love it.

Posted by Phil Kendall on Sun 27 Mar 11:21:49

Hi Phil, Well cat companions are multi-purpose...they keep you warm in winter, don't answer back and supervise you in the garden :) It has been rather a traumatic time recently what with the Christchurch earthquake in February and then a few weeks later the terrible earthquake in Japan, It seems this world has become a very uncertain place. Always good to lose myself in my art. Best regards to you ~ Anni

Posted by Anni Morris on Sun 27 Mar 11:31:42

Hang on Studio Wall

31/03/2015

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Acrylic on canvas Size: 10 inch x 10 inch 0r 25.5cm x 25.5 cm He reminds me of the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. He has a very wide grin and a big heart. This work is in memory of Louis Wain who was an English artist best known for his drawings, which consistently featured anthropomorphised large-eyed cats. He was born in 1860 and had an extremely sad life. He was the first of six children (the only boy) and none of his five sisters ever married. He had to financially support them all and his mother, At the age of 23 he married his sisters governess (10 years his senior) quite a scandal in those days. Soon after they married Emily (his wife) discovered she had cancer and died 3 years later. Louis used to entertain her when she was ill in bed with his whimsical cat drawings and even taught his own cat tricks and made him tiny little spectacles to make her laugh. Although his art was extremely popular he was ripped off by various business people/publishers. His health steadily grew worse and he was diagnosed with schizophrenia (more than likely had Aspberger syndrome). Penniless he was admitted to a paupers ward of a mental hospital in London. A year or so later H G Wells and the then Prime Minister of the day learnt of his fate and intervened and had him transferred to a peaceful sanatorium near St Albans in Hertfordshire. Here he spent the remainder of his life relatively happy drawing until his death in 1939. Kind regards Anni www.annimorris.com

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Anni Morris

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