Michael Gage

Linocuts, hand coloured.

Largo di Torre Argentina, a square in the centre of Rome. The sunken area of the right, in the centre of the square, contains the remains of four Roman temples and the Pompey Theatre, on the steps of which Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Now, it's a cat sanctuary.



Ink and watercolour on paper, 28 x 9 cm. Click the picture for a bigger version.

Mr and Mrs Cat proudly show off their new kitten.

To be sold in support of the Willow Foundation (Stars on Canvas auction, starting 25 November 2010).




Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20cm.

All the rabbits in the burrow were very excited this morning when we received an invitation to a party. "Fancy Dress To Be Worn," it said. "Come as your greatest hero!"

We all rushed off to decide what to wear, and then showed the others what we'd chosen. I was first.
"I'm going as the cleverest rabbit I know: Michelangelo Bunnyrotti."
"I've chosen the most beautiful rabbit in the world," said Clarissa. "Marilyn Bunroe."

And my friend Nigel Floppyears said, "I'm going to be the bravest rabbit that there ever was: Napoleon Bunnyparte."

Finally, it was Naughty Kitten's turn.

"Who are you going as?" we asked, as he disappeared behind the screen.
"I'm going as the greatest and cleverest and most beautiful and bravest cat in the whole wide universe..."

"Who's that?"

"Me!"

Since we started putting pictures of Naughty Kitten on this interwebby thing, people from all over the world have been looking at them, and the fame has completely gone to his head!

In the early hours of this morning, I was awoken by Naughty Kitten running into the bedroom, and shouting, "Has the postman been? I haven't missed him, have I?"

"Go away," I mumbled under my blanket. "It's three o'clock. Of course the postman hasn't been yet."

"Oh, thank goodness! I'm expecting the contract to come today."

I poked one ear out. "What contract?"

Naughty Kitten jumped on the bed. "From Hollywood! I'm waiting for a contract from them. I'm so famous now, I expect they will want to make a film of my life!"

I turned over and went back to sleep. The contract didn't arrive this morning, but to keep Naughty Kitten happy, I drew this picture of what he might look like at the premiere of his film.

Only this morning, Clarissa mentioned that we hadn't seen Naughty Kitten round here for a few days, when there was a knock at the door. It was our postman, Cyril Squirrel.

"Postcard for you," said Cyril. "Looks like someone's on holiday."

It was a postcard from Naughty Kitten! He's gone for a week by the seaside.

"Having a lovely time on the beach!" he wrote. "I'm building sandcastles and eating lots of ice-cream! Not going in the water though — nasty wet stuff, bleagh! Wish you were here! Love and licks, Naughty Kitten".

So I drew this picture of Naughty Kitten on the beach with his bucket and spade.

It's bath night for Naughty Kitten!

He's been playing outside in the garden: there's mud on his paws, and mud on his whiskers, and I think that there's even mud in his ears. So they've told him, "It's off to the bathtub for Naughty Kitten". And here he is, ready with his soap and brush. It's so rare that Naughty Kitten does what he's told, that I've drawn this picture of him in his bathcap and towel.