I adopted my cat Wendell from an overcrowded shelter in April of 2023 as an emotional support animal after receiving a devastating diagnosis in the family. At the shelter, Wendell came up to us and would not leave our side, a remarkable detail now that I know how terrified he is of strangers. My mom didn’t like the idea of getting a cat at all (now they FaceTime every day) and especially not a black cat which she felt would bring us even more bad luck. I had to remind her that in Chinese culture, black cats were a symbol of good fortune.

In my painting practice, I’m drawn to the narratives we construct around the places we live in and I’ve found that we do the same with our pets. Over time, I’ve developed a narrative of Wendell as a bringer of good luck and a protector in an otherworldly way, which exists alongside the narrative of him as a shy cuddlebug with a penchant for Churu and leaving teeth marks in all my plants.