Artwork--Bobcat

Well this was a long time coming, and I am so glad it's done.  It's been over 20 years since I drew a bobcat and it was high time I did another.  I was looking forward to doing another cat too, as my last one was a snow leopard nearly three years ago.  I've had several people tell me already it's their favorite to date, so it was well worth the time.

A North American native, the range of this ubiquitous cat covers nearly all of the lower 48 states, down into most of Mexico and up across the border into southern Canada. There are very elusive, however, and it's not easy to catch a glimpse of one.  I have yet to see one in the wild, although I am pretty sure Lisa and I spooked one--and it spooked us--on a trail in Florida.

This particular cat is at the Howell Nature Center.  Once a pet, he was either released or escaped in autumn several years ago and eluded capture until late that winter, by which time he was nearly starved to death.  Wild animals raised in captivity may retain many of their wild attributes but one thing they don't learn is how to hunt.  So now he lives in a comfy enclosure at the nature center.  I think he was hoping I had the food cart.

I don't have a name for this piece yet, but hope to come up with something soon.  Will probably have something to do with his eyes.