Birdie
Deborah Trent, 2022 · Watercolor on paper
In January 2022, during a brutal Minnesota winter, a stray cat survived on birdseed spilled from feeders and sheltered from 20-below-zero temperatures in a culvert beneath my son and daughter-in-law’s driveway. They watched where this resilient drifter disappeared each night and were determined to rescue her and try to find her family. When no owner could be located, “Birdie” was taken to the vet for vaccinations and a wellness check—and was promptly adopted into their home, joining two cats, two dogs, and one rabbit.
Inspiration
As the saying goes, “the eyes are the window to the soul.” From the moment I met Birdie, her eyes—and her gentle, steady presence—captivated me, knowing what she must have endured to survive. I painted her as a gift for my son and daughter-in-law.
Artistic Process
I started by sifting through several cell-phone photos of Birdie. Her expressions were so engaging that choosing a pose proved difficult, so I decided to focus on her eyes. After many pencil sketches, I began painting: a Princeton Round natural-bristle brush for her thick Coon long hair, and a grainer/rake brush to define the top layer of fur. I blended and layered the following paints to match the colors of her eyes, fur, and nose: Yellow Ochre, Lunar Black, Sap Green, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, and Titanium White.
Reflections
I set out to capture Birdie’s steadfast resilience—and the fairytale ending she won against all odds.
Date of Creation
February 12, 2022