All About Cats - Cats & Authors

Return to Home Page or Cat Home Page

Welcome to the Cats & (Alphabetical) Authors/artists/photographers Page

That is authors who write about cats and authors who live with cats or in most cases authors who write about and live with cats!

Writer in the making

Just thought this might be a writer in the making!

B

James Bowen and his ever present Companion - Bob

Street Cat Named Bob, whose exploits were turned into a best-selling book that helped turn his heroin-addict owner James Bowen's life around, dies aged 14

- A famous cat who has starred in books and been portrayed in films has died
- 14-year-old Bob transformed the fortunes of friend and owner James Bowen
- Mr Bowen was a recovering heroin addict when he met Bob in his support house
- Bob followed him everywhere, including to Mr Bowen's London busking sessions
- Bowen's book 'A Street Cat Named Bob' came out in 2012 and has three sequels

By Sam Blitz For Mailonline |Published: 16th June 2020 | Updated: 16th June 2020

A street cat who helped transform a heroin addict into a best-selling author has died. Bob, the protagonist of James Bowen's memoirs A Street Cat Named Bob, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 14. Hodder & Stoughton, who published the bestseller in 2012, confirmed the feline's death in a heartfelt statement. It read: 'As James and Bob continued to find fans all over the world, Bob led an incredible life meeting well-wishers at book signings, travelling the world and coping with feline fame. 'He was an extraordinary cat who will be greatly missed.'

Bob the cat high fives

Bob and James' signature 'High 5' greeting - image sourced from : imgur.com

Mr Bowen was a recovering heroin addict when he met Bob in the spring of 2007, with the cat lying abandoned and injured in the hallway of his supported housing building in Tottenham. After taking him to the vets for treatment of an infected wound on his leg, the busker put him back out on the streets hoping that he would find his home. Instead, Bob took a liking to his new friend as he followed Mr Bowen around wherever he went - even on the bus he took to go busking in Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.

The real life story of the 'Street Cat Named Bob'

Mr Bowen took the cat in permanently assuming he had nowhere else to go and gave him his name due to the busker's fondness of Killer BOB from American horror drama Twin Peaks. It was the start of a relationship which turned the recovering addict's life around. The cat accompanied Mr Bowen at his musical performances on the streets of London and also in his shifts selling the Big Issue in the English capital. Five years after the pair met, Hodder & Stoughton published Mr Bowen's novel about his relationship with Bob, the first of four books about his furry friend. The World According to Bob, A Gift from Bob and The Little Book of Bob have since been published, with the collection selling eight million books worldwide in over 40 languages.

James Bowen and Bob at a Book Signing

Bob and James Bowen at a book signing - image sourced from : The Islington Gazette

The author's first memoir was developed into a film in 2016, starring Luke Treadaway as the role of Mr Bowen. At the London premiere for the film, Bob met Kate Middleton and was even accused of scratching the Duchess of Cambridge after she was spotted the next day with a plaster on her hand.

Reacting to Bob's death, Mr Bowen, 41, said: 'Bob saved my life. It's as simple as that. 'He gave me so much more than companionship. With him at my side, I found a direction and purpose that I'd been missing. 'The success we achieved together through our books and films was miraculous. He's met thousands of people, touched millions of lives. 'There's never been a cat like him. And never will again. 'I feel like the light has gone out in my life. I will never forget him.'

The sadness surrounding Bob's death has been felt by many across the world. Paul McNamee, Editor of The Big Issue, said: 'First Bob changed James Bowen's life, then he changed the world. He represented a second chance and hope and never giving up on somebody. 'Our condolences go to James, Bob's loyal companion. He said there's never been a cat like him. We couldn't agree more.' Lucy Isabel tweeted: 'I am so gutted Street Cat Bob's died. Met these guys 8 times both out and about and at cat shows and A Street Cat Named Bob was easily my favourite book. That cat saved a man's life. He'll be missed.' Tom Hayes said: 'Aww this is a really sad one. James Bowen and Bob have been through so much, it's sad to see Bob go. If you haven't already, I highly recommend 'A Street Cat Named Bob'. Delightful film based on true events.'

Shaun Bythwell's Bookstore Cat - Captain

Bookshop Cat

Fabulous feline 'Captain' keeps an eye on the going on in Shaun Bythell's second-hand bookshop - image courtesy & © Shaun Bythell via the Daily Mail

Diary of a Bookseller

Taking on the big guys like Amazon who just happen to be selling his book!

Captain in repose

Captain in all his feline glory!

Thanks to the Daily Mail for running this entertaining story about (my former dream) of owning a Shakespeare & Co - style second hand bookshop with at least one cat if not more having a free run of the place as well as being a companion - and then writing and publishing the hard facts of it all! Sounds like a fun adventure! For the full story visit here

C

COLETTE (Sidonie Gabrielle)

Author Collette with catCollette book cover from 1950

Collette always pictured with a beloved cat left (image unsourced) right image - 'Chats de Collette' image sourced from quixotando from via Pinterest

Getty image of Collette and her cats circa 1937

"French writer 'Colette' (Sidonie Gabrielle Claudine Goudeket, 1873 - 1954) with her cats. They are Chartreux, a breed with a thick 'blue' coat circa 1937 (?)" - image courtesy & © of Getty

The Indulgent Husband by ColletteThe Cat New York, Farrar and Strauss 1936

l to r - Colette, "The Indulgent Husband," New York, Farrar & Winehart, 1935. First American English-language edition of "Claudine en ménage," translated by Frederick A. Blossom. - image courtesy of Abe Books via Pinterest | Colette, "The Cat," New York, Farrar and Strauss, 1936. Cover illustration by Suba. - image courtesy of Pinterest (originating link - book-aesthete.tumblr.com - no longer available)

Illustrated La Chatte by Collette

Colette, "La Chatte," P. Arthème Fayard, 1945. Illustrations by Jean A. Mercier. - image sourced from in-quarto-marseilles via Pinterest - I just happened to like this one the most from all the variations that can be sourced on the internet!

Collette

An intriguing pose (apparently) of the author - but oh so fabulous!

 

La Chatte amoureuse (1912)

Pantomime humoristique, musique de Roger Guttinguer, dans la revue Ça grise. Argument : Le sculpteur Pygmalion tombe amoureux de sa statue, Galatée. Par un concours de circonstance des plus extraordinaire une chatte se trouve près de la statue quand un magicien lui donne vie ; la chatte prend taille humaine, tout en restant chatte, et tombe amoureuse, comme Galatée, non pas de Pygmalion, mais de son bel esclave, Ganymède. La chatte est jalouse quand elle est amoureuse ; elle tente par tous les moyens de déranger les amants et quand ses efforts se révèlent vains, elle les fait surprendre par Pygamalion. Les dieux viennent au secours de l’amoureux bafoué et envoient la foudre qui remet bon ordre : la statue redevient statue et la chatte retrouve sa taille d’animal…

Collette acting in La Chatte Amoureuse in 1912

Source and narrative courtesy of amisdecolette

The Loving Cat

A humorous pantomime with music by Roger Guttinger from the 'It's Grey' revue. Synopsis - The sculptor Pygmalion falls in love with his statue, Galatea. By an extraordinary circumstance, a cat is near the statue when a magician brings it to life; the cat takes on human proportions, and falls in love, like Galatea, not with Pygmalion, but with his beautiful slave, Ganymède. The cat is jealous of Ganymède's love and tries to come between the lovers. When her efforts prove in vain, she causes them to be discovered by Pygamalion. The gods come to the rescue of the scorned lover and send lightning bolts to restore good order: the statue becomes a statue and the cat finds itself returned to normal size ...

Colette and a Cat

A review by Margaret Wallace - August 9, 1936, New York Times

"The title of this fragile little novel was well chosen. There are actually only three characters in the story. And of the three, Saha, the dainty little Chartreuse cat with her lady-like ruff and her golden eyes, is by far the most real. Even that half of the reading public which prefers Scotties will find it difficult to resist the aloof charm of this little animal upon whom Colette has expended some of her most subtle literary gifts. Alain had bought her when she was a little five months old kitten at a cat show, because of "her perfectly formed face, her precocious self-possession, her hopeless timidity behind the bars of a cage." "But why didn't you buy an Angora?" Camille asked. "It wasn't just a little cat I was carrying at that moment," Alain mused. "It was the incarnate nobility of the whole cat race, her limitless indifference, her tact, her bond of union with the human aristocrat." Camille was Alain's fiancée, a very handsome and rather expensive young woman of 19. The marriage pleased everyone, save for some possible mental reservations on the part of Alain himself. He had known Camille for several years and rated her at her own valuation as a modern girl. He admired her beauty and her grooming. He knew that she drove a car a little too fast and a little too well. He realized that she lied unblushingly, as do children and very young people. But he found in her, on the whole, a beauty less satisfying and a tact less perfect than Saha displayed to him daily.

The course of this engagement and the honeymoon which follows is the novel's whole theme. Perhaps it would be too much to say that Saha is responsible for the discords which threaten to dissolve this very modern young marriage. Colette manages to imply to us, nevertheless, that this is the case. Alain, a slightly neurotic only child, handicapped by the psychological effects of a prolonged illness in his youth, pampered by his mother, accustomed to a dreamy solitude and the society of his cat, is peculiarly ill-fitted to undertake the responsibilities and adjustments of marriage. Nor is the brittle and empty-headed little Camille apt to prove of much help to him. What gives the novel its air of slightness is the fact that it does not seem to matter very much. The marriage, such as it is, does not seem particularly important or worthy of preservation. There is some writing in this novel which would be hard to match for delicacy and exactness, and there are dozens of delightful pictures of Saha. No one who is fond of cats can afford to miss the acquaintance of this one. Equally, no one who is fond of Colette will want to miss it. But it must be admitted that "The Cat" does not provide the most desirable introduction to Colette's more complex and substantial work. It is definitely one of her minor masterpieces- not only because of its brevity, but because its very substance slips through one's fingers like fine dry sand. She has woven for us a spell out of nothing, and little will remain after the book has been laid aside but some pictures of Saha in an assortment of engaging moods and postures."

There are no ordinary cats - Collette

"Il n'y a pas de chats ordinaires" - Colette

Read more tributes to this author : The Great Cat | Beauty is a Sleeping Cat | The original Cat Woman

John Cunliffe and Jess (Postman Pat's Black & White Cat)

Postman Pat and Jess

The creator of much-loved children's characters Postman Pat and Rosie and Jim has died aged 85. John Cunliffe passed away in his home town of Ilkley, West Yorkshire, last Thursday and is survived by his only son. Tributes to the children's author and poet flooded social media after news of his death was announced in his local newspaper today. Fans wrote of how Mr Cunliffe 'filled their childhood with so many happy memories'.

- A tribute in the Ilkley Gazette today read: 'John Cunliffe left his Ilkley home in a deluge of rain on Thursday, September 20, never to return'.
- 'Even the skies wept for John, the gifted creator of Postman Pat, Rosie and Jim and author of many earlier published collections of poetry and picture story books for children.
- 'John's last poetry collection, significantly entitled 'Dare You Go' has now come to fruition for John has dared to go and has gone.'
- Mr Cunliffe lived in Kendal, Lake District, for much of life, which served as inspiration for the villages Postman Pat worked in.

Images sourced from 'thelatest.co.uk'

The series debuted on the BBC and ran for eight seasons, with a total of 196 episodes. Pat's hometown of Greendale is based on the real-life valley of Longsleddale in Cumbria. A new version of the series was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films from 2003, which expanded on many aspects of the original show. Mr Cunliffe wrote the original scripts and the show was directed by animator Ivor Wood, who also worked on the Magic Roundabout, The Wombles, Paddington bear and the Herbs. Postman Pat first appeared on TV screens in 1981 and the BBC series has aired in more than 55 countries.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: 'Royal Mail was saddened to hear of the death of John Cunliffe. 'He created a character loved by young and old alike, while highlighting the unique role that postmen and women, in their red vans, play in communities across the country.' Director of BBC Children's Alice Webb said: 'We are saddened to hear the news of John's death. 'Postman Pat has been a hugely popular character on the BBC for nearly 40 years and was an absolute favourite from my own childhood.

'Postman Pat's enduring popularity speaks to the genuine charm and warmth that John imbued in the characters that populate Greendale. 'It's a world you'd like to be part of - a community that cares, is full of heart and full of fun - and that is a lovely thing to show audiences, both young and old. 'John created a real and relatable world that will continue to entertain our audience for a long time to come and I count myself lucky to be one of millions of children whose childhoods were enriched by John's creations.'

- The Ilkley Literature Festival tweeted: 'We are very sad to hear that John Cunliffe, creator of Postman Pat and Patron of our Children's Festival passed away last week.'
- Another person commented: 'RIP #JohnCunliffe My daughter was a massive fan of postman pat & rosie and jim growing up back in the late 90's early 00's.'
- One woman tweeted: 'Sad news. I remember going to see John Cunliffe at Waterstones in Leeds many years ago with my children.
- 'My son admired his shoes and he told him they were deck shoes for when he drove the boat for Rosie and Jim. Such a lovely man.
- Another person wrote: 'RIP John Cunliffe you was part of my childhood!' Sourced from the Daily Mail

D

Douglas d'Enno's cat - Misti

Misti is a literary cat with her own author!

Misti goes ski-ing

G

Anne Golon's Cat - Boopy

Anne Golon's Cat Boopy Boopy the Reveiwer

l to r Boopy in cat pose and then inspecting the workload

Another lucky cat to have an author to look after him! And such an author, the creator (creatrix?) of the world-famous Angélique series which has its own section on this web-site. Boopy is not only very handsome but smart as well - he reviews the books he allows Anne to dedicate and makes sure her spectacles and writing implements are to hand (you can just see them by his front right paw).

H

Ernest Hemingway's Cats

Ernest Hemingway and cat

Hemingway cuddling one of this beloved cats

An enormous fan of cats Hemingways 'cat-proof' gate is currently on offer for sale on ebay but his memory lives on in the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum complete with a whole section dedicated to cats!

Hemingway with cat and bottle

Have they had a disagreement about who should have the wine? Hemingway gazes at a very handsome cat keeping him company on the dining table

Shirley Hughes

Telegraph Magazine article Judith Kerr

Shirley Hughes and family cat

Shirley with her eldest sister Brenda during WW2 Image - Courtesy & © of Shirley Hughes via The Telegraph

Shirley tells us this about the image above - "During the Second World War, I was living at home in West Kirby, Liverpool, with my mum and two sisters. My middle sister went off to serve in the Wrens in Portsmouth and my  eldest sister, Brenda, who’s in the picture, stayed at home as a VAD [Voluntary Aid Detachment] nurse. I was too young to serve but, aged 14, joined the Women’s Junior Air Corps, which is why I’m wearing that uniform." The original caption in the magazine mentioned the family cat.

Her adult profession as writer and illustrator tends to concentrate more on a little boy called Alfie and a toy dog "My favourite character that I’ve drawn is Dogger, the toy dog, but Alfie is my main character: he’s a four-year-old up against all the complexities of his life, like trying to get his shoes on the right feet and going to a party without his security blanket – it’s very serious to him."

K

Judith Kerr's life long love of Cats

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Judith Kerr's first book 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea'. Harper Collins have released a commemorative version and the National Trust are hosting a nationwide touring exhibition in honour of the landmark occasion.

Jdith Kerr Tiger Party Book

Judith Kerr's NT exhibition

In 1933 Judith Kerr escaped from Nazi Germany following the persecution of and death threats made to her father Alfred Kerr, who was a towering figure. Famous throughout Germany for his theatre and travel writing – and for witty verse, some of it mocking and reviling Hitler and the rising Nazi Party, Naturally, he became a marked man. After a tip-off from a policeman that the family’s passports were about to be seized, the 65-year-old author disappeared overnight with instructions to his young wife, Julia, and their two children, Michael, 12, and Judith, nine, to follow him clandestinely to Zurich by milk train. From there, they moved to Paris and, eventually, with the help of the film-maker Alexander Korda, to London in March 1936. Source : Daily Telegraph

Judith Kerr on Desert Island Discs in 2004

Judith Kerr took part in Desert Island Discs in 2004

Judith Kerr in her Studio with Katinka

Judith Kerr and Katchinka

'The Mog' author Judith Kerr, with her current cat Katinka, in her studio in south west London. 'All my cats have been mad in different ways' - image courtesy & © of Mike Lawn and The Daily Mail

Judith Kerr and family prior to fleeing Germany

Judith Kerr and family article

And before the cats - there was the tricycle! "Rows of inks and crayons are neatly arrayed on her desk; on the mantelpiece stands a birthday card sent by her best childhood friend in the 1930s. But the eye is drawn to a photograph from still further back that shows Kerr, with her brother, as a tiny child on her tricycle. She has a serious expression on her face. 'The trike was very heavy and I had just learnt to turn corners. I wanted to look like someone who could turn corners.' " - Source : The Daily Telegraph

Stephen King (& Distinguished others)

Stephen King & Cat

Stephen King and a tabby companion (as yet undiscovered name of cat) who features in the book whose cover is graced by Truman Capote looking distinctly like Jack Nicholson! - image © & sourced from Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

Writers and their Cats Book Cover

Truman Capote and his Tabby companion gracing the cover of 'Writers and their Cats' by Alison Nastasi as it appears on Amazon.co.uk

WRITERS AND THEIR CATS by Alison Nastasi

By Katya Edwards for The Daily Mail|Published: 27th December 2018 | Updated: 27th December 2018

What do Charles Bukowski, Joyce Carol Oates and Stephen King (above) have in common? They all love cats. In Alison Nastasi's new book, the bond between writers and their feline friends is celebrated. With adorable pictures and little biographies of the cats and their bookish companions, this is the perfect read for anyone who has been inspired to write prose by their moggy. After all, every good writer needs a mews!

"Mark Twain, Alice Walker, Haruki Murakami, Ursula K. Le Guin―this volume celebrates 45 famous authors who have shared their homes and hearts with furry feline friends. The photographs and stories in Writers and Their Cats capture the special bond between wordsmith and mouser. From the six-toed kitties who still inhabit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Florida to the mewling muses of mystery writer Lilian Jackson Braun, cats are clearly, in the words of Gloria Steinem, "a writer's most logical and agreeable companion." Source : Amazon.co.uk

M

Sir Patrick Moore's Cats

Ptolemy and typewriter

'Ptolemy things he can type.'

Sir Patrick Moore has written a book about his cats and as he is donating the profits and his goodwill to Cats Protection - the full story can be read here. An interesting feature is that any black cat that has shared his life has always been called 'Ptolemy' (presumably gender does not come into it!) and one, in particular has the makings of a literary genius - I am happy to share this 'Ptolemy' preparing to type - just the one cat and a typewriter? Puts all those monkeys and Shakespeare to shame doesn't it?

P

Sir Terry Pratchett (Obituary)

As we bid farewell to yet another literary giant and cat lover, let us not forget that the late great Sir Terry (who died in his sleep with his faithful moggy by his side) treated cats with respect, humour and dignity.

Cat Word Art by Terry Pratchett

"In Ancient Times Cats were worshipped as Gods and they have not forgotten this!"

S

Ronald Searle's Cats (Obituary)

Ronald Searle - beloved for his charismatic and quirky illustrations of cats and the never to be forgotten St. Trinians girls!

Ronald Searle - Big Fat Cat Book

Ronald Searle - Cat of a Thousand Disguises

"Cat of a Thousand Disguises concealing itself as a rug" Lithograph, 1967, a unique proof, with extensive hand colouring, signed, extensively annotated, dated in pencil.

T

Simon Tofeild

Simon Tofeild on Scribble Day

Simon on 'Doodle Day' - not easy to get a picture of him with his own cats who are shown below - all images and comments sourced from and linked to the 'Simon's Cat' website

Simon Tofeilds 4 cats

Hugh was the main inspiration behind the first Simon’s Cat film – Cat Man Do. And Teddy was the inspiration for the Kitten character. Unfortunately Hugh passed away in 2015. You can read Simon’s tribute to Hugh here.
Simon says : "It can be hard to imagine your cats as great writing companions when they’re inevitably chewing the the end of your pen or pencil – whilst you’re trying to write! However, many authors and famous writers throughout history have paid homage to their cats and openly declared their love for their pet."

The creator of 'Simon's Cat' also blogs about :

Nine famous writers who were inspired by their pet cats

Edgar Allan Poe, Judy Blume, Ernest Hemingway (covered on this page), Mark Twain, T S Eliot, Edward Lear, Alexandre Dumas, Caroline Paul and Samuel Johnson read more here

W

Louis Wains Cats

Louis Wain_Flower Cat

So pretty!

The man who started it all - I found this lovely cat with flowers for her eyes whilst looking for a suitable picture to showcase Louis Wain's immeasurable talent.

Louis Wain taking time to stroke one of his cats Louis Wain petting his cat

Wonderful picture of Louis Wain with one of his many beloved cats, who to my mind, resembles our own Nephyr

P.S.

Let us not forget the 'Artists & Photographers & their Cats'!

A History of Art in 21 Cats by Nia Gould Front Cover

A History of Art in 21 Cats by Nia Gould Back Cover

Front & back covers of "A History of Art in 21 Cats: From the Old Masters to the Modernists, the Moggy as Muse: an illustrated guide" Hardcover – 21 February 2019 by Nia Gould (Author, Illustrator) - images sourced from Amazon.co.uk

"Art history has been given a fun feline makeover. - Discover the basics of important art movements through a host of beautifully illustrated cats, each one inspired by a specific period in art history. From Surrealism to Cubism, Abstract Expressionism to Ancient Egyptian art, these creative cats will introduce you to key themes and provide you with all of the inspiration you need if you want to create your own version. Each illustrated cat comes with an overview of the art movement that it represents, plus a breakdown of the cats features, explaining the relevance of each. Accompanied by fun, informative captions, each element - from faces and fur to patterns, shapes and colours - provides a quirky, accessible insight into the history of art. More than just a reference book, A History of Art in 21 Cats is perfect for art enthusiasts and cat lovers alike." Source : Amazon.co.uk

Artists and their Cats

The unmistakeable wide eyed look of Salvador Dali and an extremely exotic looking feline (ocelot) companion on the cover of the book 'Artists and their Cats' by Alison Nastasi as featured on Amazon.co.uk

"Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo . . . so many great artists have shared one very special love: the companionship of cats. Gathered here for the first time are behind-the-scenes stories of more than 50 famous artists and their feline friends. From Salvador Dali's pet ocelot Babou to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's menagerie of cats, including Salt (who was black) and Pepper (who was white), Artists and Their Cats captures these endearing friendships in charming photographs and engaging text and reveals what creative souls and the animals best known for their independent spirits have in common. In this clever compilation, art aficionados will discover a softer side of their favourite artists and cat lovers will enjoy a whole new way to celebrate their favourite furry friends." Source : Amazon.co.uk

Paul Klee

A compilation of cats by Paul Klee

Paul Klee (18th December, 1879 – 29th June, 1940) was a Swiss-German artist. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism. Klee was a natural draftsman who experimented with and eventually deeply explored color theory, writing about it extensively; his lectures Writings on Form and Design Theory (Schriften zur Form und Gestaltungslehre), published in English as the Paul Klee Notebooks, are held to be as important for modern art as Leonardo da Vinci's A Treatise on Painting for the Renaissance. He and his colleague, Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky, both taught at the Bauhaus school of art, design and architecture. His works reflect his dry humour and his sometimes childlike perspective, his personal moods and beliefs, and his musicality. Source : theartstack.com

David McEnery and his cats

David McEnery Cat in Blue glasses

David McEnery

David McEnery - image sites.google.com

David McEnery Smiles

Image sourced from : abebooks.co.uk

David McEnery (1940-2002) was an English photographer born in Walsall near Birminqham. His first foray into the world of photography was as a photographic laboratory assistant for a weekly publication. In 1960 he moved to London as a self-employed press photographer and freelanced for national newspapers. After a decade he produced a succession of reports on human tragedies as a photojournalist. It was a turning point in his career as a photographer, "I found myself unable to photograph such pain", so he made a u-turn in the next stage of his career and decided to use his camera to make people laugh. .

It was from this point that McEnery's true talent was revealed. Initially, he collaborated with major newspapers, the 'London Daily' and the 'Sunday Mirror'. He received an award for one of his images as the 'Best Press Photograph of the Year' and published his first book under the title "Smiles" making him one of the greatest humorist photographers in the world. His images have been published in major magazines and journals around the world, including 'LIFE', 'Stern' and 'Paris-Match'. In 1989, Time Magazine selected a photograph of his as one of the 'best photos of the moment'. In time his fascination with cats made him famous; an adopted kitten named "Sylvester" became his muse and a global star. The interaction with his feline friends proved lightning-quick popular. The pictures of the kitten napping on a hammock, deckchair or bench became instantly known and went viral globally pre-social media. As a result he extended his work to other subjects in the animal kingdom, from pigs to frogs, always with the same perspective, that of placing them in new and exceptional situations. He became a great authority in the field of animal photography illustrating a fantastic, magical and sometimes imaginary world. He has often been said to be the originator of 'photographic comics'**.

David McEnerys Tonic Cat

David McEnery's art showing the great joy between him and his cars - image sourced from sites.google.com

With a keen eye David McEnery captured these creatures with great joy. The friendship and love that is expressed in his work is sincere, he loves cats and it shows. His photographs are exciting, tender, hilarious, often exhilarating, showing the curiosity, the long naps and also their love for mice ... David McEnery with his mad love for cats never stopped photographing them throughout his career. Among other things, it has became a speciality to immortalize them. He photographed cats with humour and in unusual situations, the cats not really understanding that they were being photographed, which preserved their authenticity. The Photographer's Images reveal the unique side of these creatures that are so dear to us, while combining a sense of composition with the magic of the moment. McEnery created a whole new genre in photography, his own world ('bubble'), he took unlimited shots to produce images that would look both familiar and fantastic. In his photographs, he was always in search of tenderness, humour and capturing the singular, comical moments which both amuse and surprise, by blending the cats in new positions immersed within a human setting. He always achieved in creating images of the cats in their deepest intimacy without invading that sacred familiarity and trust. Like Elliott Erwitt who has an unconditional adoration for dogs, David McEnery is undoubtedly the equal for cats. Source : sites.google.com

** Photo comics are a form of sequential storytelling that uses photographs rather than illustrations for the images, along with the usual comics conventions of narrative text and word balloons containing dialogue. ... The photographs may be of real people in staged scenes, or posed dolls and other toys on sets.

Back to Top / Return to Cat Home Page / Home Page

Page refreshed : 20th October 2020 (G)