Are you familiar with the concept of topiary? It’s a form of art that involves shaping trees and shrubs into specific designs. Richard Saunders, a 75-year-old artist from Britain, was inspired by this technique to create his unique series called The Topiary Cat. In this series, Saunders digitally transforms foliage into magnificent feline creations. The inspiration for his artwork came from his own beloved cat named Tolly, who unfortunately passed away five years ago. However, Saunders has given his feline companion a new life through the creation of a fictional character. The Topiary Cat is depicted as a magical creature with extraordinary powers and wisdom that surpasses ordinary humans who have the privilege of witnessing it.
Richard Saunders mentioned that his initial motivation for creating these images was purely for enjoyment. While he was exploring the grounds of a captivating historical house, he captured a photograph of a colossal cloud topiary. This photo sparked an idea within him – he realized that he could creatively position Tolly, his subject, to mimic the unique shapes of the surrounding bushes effortlessly.
Richard has been practicing the art of surrealistic painting since his teenage years. More than two decades ago, while working as a creative director in the advertising industry, he discovered the wonders of Photoshop. With his acquired skills, Richard effortlessly brought his idea of The Topiary Cat to life over eight years ago when his beloved feline companion, Tolly, was still by his side.
As time went on, Richard’s creations became increasingly intricate and time-consuming. Some of his artworks now require several days of meticulous work to produce. To ensure every detail is perfect, Richard even goes the extra mile by capturing tailor-made photographs specifically for each masterpiece.
Richard was overwhelmed with sadness and couldn’t fathom the notion of carrying on with The Topiary Cat after Tolly’s demise in the year 2016. However, his dedicated audience of 40,000 on Facebook persistently implored him to persevere. Richard believes that creating and sharing stories of beloved pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge provides solace to those who have experienced similar heart-wrenching losses.
The success of The Topiary Cat has blossomed into a thriving enterprise. Richard has expanded his offerings to include puzzles, captivating 3D visuals, and an engaging narrative series that he personally narrates chapter by chapter on the popular platform YouTube. The enchanting escapades of The Topiary Cat continue to unfold, now featuring the delightful addition of Georgi, a charming Russian Blue companion to Tolly.
When queried about his preferred masterpiece, Richard typically inclines towards his most recent creation. When it comes to his wellspring of inspiration, Richard draws from a diverse collective of artists. Among his everlasting darlings, he holds Dalí in the highest esteem, with Max Ernst and the Pre-Raphaelites following closely behind.
According to the creator, most of the individuals he encounters express their love for The Topiary Cat. Initially, some may feel disappointed that the creations are not genuine, but they soon become avid followers of the ongoing story. The future of the project relies on the response to the book titled “The Topiary Cat,” which is currently being manufactured in limited quantities as a market test.
