Pastel Artwork: Snuggles and Simple Pleasures

 My latest pastel portrait, "Snuggles and Simple Pleasures." ©2021 Melissa Enderle

After finishing Sunday morning chores and creating a fresh kolam in front of my humble home, I sit down to enjoy a cup of hot filter coffee.  Our alley is filled with the squeals of laughter from young neighborhood children playing together. As the coffee warms my insides, the sun's early rays warm my thin skin. Soft fur brushes against my legs. It's my favorite kitten, coming for a visit. As I snuggle with him, I see what looks like a smile emerging from this contented creature. In this poor Chennai neighborhood, we might not have much, but it's these simple pleasures that keep me happy.

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Want to pet my fluffy kitten? Chennai, India

via Instagram

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Melons and a Meow

As if to maintain the symmetrical ordered structure of the scene, the cat sits in the middle of the paneled doorway at Bongwonsa temple. Next to it are some yellow Korean melons and other shrinkwrapped fruit that would likely be used for the upcoming celebration. Perhaps the cat was intent on getting a front-row seat! 

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Out for a Morning Drink

As I walked through the main gate of the Bongeunsa temple, my eyes were drawn to movement at the stream to the left of the path. Just as with my spring visit, a creature was enjoying pleasures of the water. Perhaps it is because of the cat that the birds are not present to enjoy a bath...

Bongeunsa Temple - May 2015

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Cookin' with the Kitty

A cartoon character may be considered popular when its image appears on T-shirts and stationery. (See my previous posting on a Hello Kitty shop at Namdaemun). When it is featured on its own airplane and cookware, then it's made it to the big scene. Yes, while at the Tokyo airport, I spotted a Hello Kitty airplane. Hello Kitty fans are encouraged to pitch their boring T-fal cookware and cook with the Kitty. Imagine how much more fun cooking and washing dishes must be when you can stare the cute feline on the bright pink (or magenta) cookware.

If you still haven't had enough of the kitty, or perhaps your cooking made you a bit queasy in the stomach, the Pink can follow you in the "little room" as well. 

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It's Raining Cats in Yangdong

When walking through the Yangdong Village in Korea, I spotted this cat sunning itself on the thatched roof of one of the traditional homes in this UNESCO village. It reminded me of the theories of the etymology for the phrase "raining cats and dogs" in which the animals would sleep on the straw roofs of homes and slide off when wet with rain. Not at all worried about rain, this cat seemed totally relaxed and content. 

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Jumping Cat Monastery

The 18th century monastery Ngaphechaung better known as “The Jumping Cat Monastery” was next on the agenda. Walking in the dimly lit room past the beautiful carved wooden altars with Buddhist statues on them, we had a discussion with a monk who was well-versed about places and culture of America. After buying some crude nativity sets in lacquer round boxes (a rather odd place to find Christian gifts, but we took advantage of the shopping opportunity), we watched the stars of the place - the cats - jumping through hoops of varying heights. The cats appeared quite experienced at doing the tricks but seemed more interested in getting treats at the end of their jumping.

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