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This 75-Year-Old Artist Creates Edits Of Bushes In Honor Of His Deceased Cat
Interview With Artist
Many of us know the feeling when you just terribly miss a pet you used to have. I sure do, even got a tattoo of my cat! However, 75-year-old Richard Saunders took it to a whole new level. The artist decided to express love for his cat, who died 5 years ago, by creating extremely surprising surreal images. In these images, plants from real places are replaced by giant bushes in the shape of his adorable cat Tolly.
Richard Saunders exclusively told Bored Panda the story behind his project named “The Topiary Cat”: “Initially I created these images just for fun. I had taken a photograph, in the grounds of a historic house, of a huge cloud topiary, and it occurred to me that I could fairly easily photograph Tolly in a position to match the shape of the bushes.”
More info: Facebook | thetopiarycat.co.uk
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Richard claims that after making the first image and posting it on Flickr, it was stolen and his name was removed without any approval. The image ended up going viral on Facebook and people believed it to be a real topiary! Later, BBC did a story for their page and revealed Richard to be the real creator of these manipulations as he made more and more of them.
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Richard has been a surrealist painter since he was a teenager and learned to use Photoshop over two decades ago in his job as an advertising Creative Director. He says: “The idea of creating The Topiary Cat, over eight years ago, while Tolly was still alive, was easily accomplished with skills I already knew. The images have become more complicated since, many taking days to produce, with tailor-made photos taken especially for them.”
After Tolly died in 2016, Richard was too upset to consider continuing with The Topiary Cat, but his 40,000 followers on Facebook persuaded him to carry on. Richard believes that it helps them when their own furry companions pass on.
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Cecilia Herrera 4 years ago
Your kitty is looking down at you and smiling (and purring) from the Rainbow Bridge.
The Topiary Cat has grown into quite the enterprise. Richard now also creates puzzles, 3D images, and a novel, of which he has done a reading on YouTube, chapter by chapter. So The Topiary Cat’s adventures continue, Tolly is now accompanied by another Russian Blue named Georgi.
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Sarah Warren 4 years ago
"Now go into the hoomans house and return with all the meat from the cold box."
When asked, which of his creations is his personal favorite, Richard says it’s usually the latest one. As for general inspiration, Richard says he is influenced by many other artists. Some of his all-time favorites are Dalí followed by Max Ernst, then the Pre-Raphaelites.
Creator admitted to Bored Panda that most people he meets love The Topiary Cat, initially disappointed the creations aren't “real”, then they convert quickly to devotees of the continuing story. The future of the project depends on the reception to the book “The Topiary Cat” which is being produced in very limited quantities at first as a test of the market.
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Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
The real kitty is nearly microscopic compared with the topiary cat!
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Jan Vaccaro 4 years ago
Love how the dappled sunlight settles on Tolly & the tiny Russian Blue.
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Brian Bennett 4 years ago
You know I really get tired of people and horses tramping around spoils my tranquility!
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Ana Garfield 4 years ago
Upvote each picture. Absolutely beautiful. Dedication and love for fur baby brings tears to my eyes as I think of the sadness felt.. And makes me think of my own that passed away. It hurts for so long..
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SLAtE' AVALLON 4 years ago
This man had such a beautiful heart for this Russian blue. I had one too and when my Russian blue passed away I felt like dying. So all my love goes out to this man for investing so much energy and honoring his beautiful Russian Blue.
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What do you think ?
Kookamunga 4 years ago
I thought he might be actually trimming hedges in the shape of his dead cat. These images are pretty awesome, though. It hurts to lose pets.
TheAnimalLady 4 years ago
A lot of people apparently thought the same. I've found that it really helps to read the articles first, less confusing.
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Sugar Cargill 4 years ago
These are all beautiful! Wish they were real and I could go see them.
Kookamunga 4 years ago
I thought he might be actually trimming hedges in the shape of his dead cat. These images are pretty awesome, though. It hurts to lose pets.
TheAnimalLady 4 years ago
A lot of people apparently thought the same. I've found that it really helps to read the articles first, less confusing.
Load More Replies... Sugar Cargill 4 years ago
These are all beautiful! Wish they were real and I could go see them.
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