This is an original Acrylic artwork created by Marlene Kallstrom-Barritt.
A soft, intimate portrait of a long-haired cat fills the square canvas. The artist works in a restrained, almost monochrome palette — silvery grays, deep charcoals and a few warm neutral tones — which gives the piece a quiet, timeless feeling. The cat’s face is the focal point: large, reflective eyes look slightly upward with a mixture of curiosity and gentle alertness. Tiny highlights in the pupils catch the light and give the gaze a living, watchful quality.
Brushwork varies across the painting. Around the cheeks and chest, the strokes are feathery and loose, suggesting the plush, layered texture of the fur. Whiskers are rendered as confident, bright arcs that cut crisply through the softer grays, adding striking linear contrast. The nose and mouth are treated with softer blending that anchors the expression and lends the animal tenderness.
Compositionally, the cat is presented in a three-quarter view with the head turned just enough to invite engagement. Subtle tonal shifts and the visible weave of the canvas or paper give the work an intimate, handmade quality.
Overall the piece feels contemplative and affectionate: a close, almost quiet study that captures both the physical softness of the animal and the watchful intelligence in its face. The signature tucked at the lower left is a small reminder of the human hand behind the observation.
This picture is on stretched canvas.
Marlene created this artwork in 2026.
This artwork is 12" x 12" and is unframed.
This piece is part of the temporary exhibit "Pigment of Your Imagination" Come and see it in person through the months of April and May 2026.