“The Beast” is an Intaglio print inspired by a photo taken of my lilac point siamese cat, Beastie, where she climbed onto a bookshelf to nap. Intaglio is a traditional printmaking technique involving etching an image onto a metal plate, usually copper or zinc, inked then put through an ink press to create limited prints. Preserving the level of detail needed to depict the intricacies of her face and facial expression was a creative challenge.

The image is one of my favorites because it epitomizes the comfort in her pose as she naughtily lounges over my books and photo albums. The name of the print is an homage to her nickname. She was rescued as a kitten, about a month old, with a fierceness that dwarfed her tiny size. Her refusal to be tamed continues to define her personality. Over the last 12 years we’ve slowly built trust and a connection. Always on her terms.