Irina Garmashova-Cawton S.O.F.A.

I have been painting as long as I can remember since I first could hold a pencil. I had many hobbies in my life but at the same time have always drawn or painted. I went the long way from a children's art studio to the Academy of Fine Arts in St Petersburg Russia. Despite all the subjects I paint I consider the main one is pets particularly cats. Cats have always been around me as a member of my family.

Now I am living in Yorkshire England and my main feline inspiration is my ragdoll Motia who gives me company all day long when I am working in my studio. I could talk endlessly about cats, about all their internal and external beauty and intelligence but what I have learnt from all my years of experience painting and drawing cats is every cat has a unique character no two cats are alike. How all their emotions can be written in their eyes and furry faces you just need to read it. My cat is very talkable he can converse with many different sounds. I am a member of the Society Of Feline Artists and Colour Pencil Society UK. I regularly exhibit and write tutorials.