Nobody told an unknown Hampton Wick cat, that visits to other households were banned in lockdown!

But when this beautiful short haired moggie turned up unexpectedly at the home of professional artist Raph Thomas, she got more than a saucer of milk.

Initially when Raph heard a loud scratching coming from his bathroom in his ground floor flat near Bushy Park, he was worried a stray rodent may have gained access.

On inspection, he found a beautiful grey pedigree cat sitting in his bath!

"We have a cat flap but no cat," says Raph. "I really love cats but am allergic to them, so I tend to admire from afar."

The beauty and friendly nature of this particular animal really captured Raph, a full time artist who specialises in eye catching rainbow patterned wildlife.

He added: "I couldn't resist photographing this cheeky visitor. He or she was a real stunner!"

From there, there a Raph got to work on a big painting of the unknown model. Raph often works on multilayered mixed media backgrounds.

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Having used the good weather in the first lockdown to work outside on big canvases, he had some prepared.

Raph then created a life like image of the subject , before adding layers of translucent colour to build up the rainbow colour.

The results were a large stunning artwork that sold to a regular client, an art-loving cat owner, practically before the paint had dried.

However limited edition prints are still available HERE

And the cat? Raph says: "I put her back in our front garden, and she obviously found her way home. I have seen her several times since sitting on walls. It would be great to meet her owners as they may like a print in lieu of modelling fees!"

Raph started his career at 1of1 design in Teddington and was there between 2013-18.

He sold his first painting there and is now a full time artist.

Fancy your cat or dog immortalised in rainbow hues? Email Raph on [email protected] for details on commissions.

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