Tree of Second Chances

I was asked by the Neonatal Kitten Rescue Hobart if I would be willing to make an image they could use to promote and raise funds for the work they do. It is quite amazing what they do, rescuing and bringing back to life dumped/abandoned kittens that are hours to only a day or two old…. a very risky time for any newborn. Of course, with my lifelong love of all things feline, how could I say no, so I was then on a quest to come up with a concept and a shoot schedule to produce something to showcase these adorable kitties.

 

The concept idea just hit me. Years and years ago my mother had made a needlework image of a tree full of cats. It was fairly stylised but I thought a tree of kittens would pay homage to my mother’s needlework and be a pretty cool way to showcase the kittens doing kitten things…. But I wanted it to be different from my mother’s concept, so after a bit of brainstorming and thought I decided an espaliered tree against a brick wall would do nicely.

 

This crop of kittens represents a sample saved by Neonatal Kitten Rescue Hobart, a volunteer group providing 24/7 care for unweaned orphaned kittens. Laurie tops the wall, a strapping lad, was rescued as a newborn, found in a backyard and sent to the vet. Normally these kittens are euthanised but the vet phoned NKRH and his next stop was a cosy incubator and a belly full of bottle feed. Teddy who shares the heights with him was rescued with his siblings from Cornelian bay Cemetery the year before. He is now a beloved house cat full of fun and antics. Ellen and Jackson were left outside in a trap all night by an inexperienced rescuer and were the coldest kittens we have ever saved. Their sibling Chris died but they fought on and are sporting the most beautiful fever coats on either end of the top branch. Emily in her glorious tabby coat looks down on her calico sister Stella. These kittens were passed on by another rescue at two weeks of age and have found the most wonderful forever home together. On the left is Sterling who arrived from Illoura Animal Sanctuary, another abandoned newborn found in a yard, he was hypothermic and needed to be warmed before being fed. Ginger Johnny was found at three weeks of age with cat flu, and a network of comments on a Facebook post sent him to NKRH. He cannot believe his luck in his foster home where he is warm and loved and well fed. Kimba, who is Teddy’s brother, is now foster dad to many kittens having found his forever home with his wonderful foster carer. It was love at first sight with those two and with his gentle care, teaching the little ones how to cat, he has truly found his calling.

 

The image is available as a limited edition of 50 prints, each 540 mm x 540 mm fine art print from Gallery Salamanca. The artist’s proceeds from sales will be donated to the Neonatal Kitten Rescue Hobart charity to help continue their valuable work. Vet bills, desexing, incubators, humidicribs etc don’t come cheap. If you wish to donate further yourself go to https://neonatalkittenrescue.com/

 

Neonatal Kitten Rescue Hobart is a registered charity and donations over $2 are tax deductible.

 

The espalier was shot on the Mud Walls Road between Richmond and the Midlands Hwy, Tasmania.  All kittens were photographed at their respective foster carer’s homes. 

There are 137 layers that go to make up the file and 33 individual photographs.  The layered file is 26 GB.

This image is an original composition by Suellen Cook. All prints are Limited Edition, signed by the artist.

 

Produced by fine art printers, Full Gamut.

Please note; Prints are made to order. Please allow 10-15 business days for production and shipping. Delivery times will vary with destination.