matouenpeluche!

image copyright and by kindest courtesy of the artist

Samantha Battersby of matouenpeluche is a Pet Museum favorite.  Here's a piece from her Etsy shop that immediately reminded me of the Walt Whitman line "I am large, I contain multitudes."  (Song of Myself)  It's titled "Galaxy Cat."  Aren't they all galaxies unto themselves?
Battersby has a velvet finish to her images that powerfully evokes the feel of the creature's fur.  Simply by looking, your fingertips tingle with anticipation.  Since "Galaxy Cat" was done in charcoal and pastel, two media which lend themselves to tactile working, this seems only right.
Don't forget to check out the matouenpeluche blog and website, too.