Pete was black and scrawny-looking in the cage that day at the shelter, and I was not interested in him. Besides, black cats are bad luck. But there he was sticking his paw out while all of the pretty long-haired cats were asleep, trying to pretend I wasn't there. Pete was looking for someone to come play with him and I was looking to "replace" Slim. Slim, my cat of 13 years, was a little gray short-haired cat who wanted to be with you all the time, and the more I thought about it, Pete seemed like he might fit the part.

At first I made one painting of Pete; a thoughtful piece with mostly white space. I painted him deep blue because it is one of my favorite colors and also beause I didn't know if people would want a painting of a black cat. At that time I was painting a lot of landscapes and old houses. Without thinking about it, I just stuck the painting of Pete in the bin at one of my art shows and was overwhelmed with the response. Customers couldn't get enough of Pete. People have continued to buy as many as I can paint. The main thing that I have learned from painting Pete is how many people love cats, and I have to agree that they are very special.