Erik once had his portrait made entirely from pollen. You might imagine this was a touching moment: an artist honouring a magnificent cat, the magnificent cat accepting the attention with his usual modesty. Unfortunately, Erik sneezed on it. There are art critics who write long reviews, and then there are cats who deliver their opinion through both nostrils.
The artist responsible was Zip-Artiste, a guinea pig whose enthusiasm for painting extends well beyond sensible materials and suitable surfaces. In the world of Oh Erik, where plenty of creatures have strong opinions, his particular concern is how much more interesting everything could look with something colourful smeared across it.
You will recognise him by his moss beret and cape, which is quite an outfit for somebody likely to be working with jam. Still, if you are going to make an entrance, you may as well give people something to look at. Zip-Artiste enjoys a dramatic arrival almost as much as the painting itself.
That Wheelbarrow Was Looking Rather Plain
Most of us could walk past a wheelbarrow without feeling an artistic responsibility towards it. We might briefly wonder who left it there, then carry on with whatever we were doing. Zip-Artiste once turned one into a work of art, despite that not being its intended purpose. Presumably, anyone hoping to move a little soil had to reconsider the situation.
This is where getting to know him becomes fun. A rock is a possible canvas. Petals belong among his painting materials. Mud, pollen and jam all have potential, although the jam does introduce the awkward possibility of somebody eating part of the supplies. His imagination makes the garden feel full of things worth a second look, even if you would personally prefer the wheelbarrow left alone.
There is something very recognisable about that enthusiasm. If you have ever watched a young artist eyeing a cardboard box while you are still trying to unpack it, you will understand. You see packaging. They have already decided where the windows go. By the time you mention recycling, you are apparently threatening somebody’s castle.
With Zip-Artiste, the practical objections have considerable competition. He cares about what he makes, loudly and with feeling, and his creative passion can become so overwhelming that he faints. A quiet afternoon of painting may therefore require a little more floor space than expected.
Erik Has Already Modelled, Thank You
The pollen portrait was not Erik’s only encounter with Zip-Artiste’s artistic ambitions. There was also the occasion when Zip painted him blue. Entirely blue, with paint lingering in his ears afterwards. For a cat who takes himself seriously, that is a great deal of unwanted colour to carry around.
It does make you wonder how an artist and his subject decide a picture is finished. The artist may be considering one last adjustment; the cat may be considering how quickly he can leave. Whatever your views on creative freedom, the whiskered participant probably deserves some say in the matter.
Zip brings this sort of delicious inconvenience to the wider cast. Erik likes having things under control, and here is somebody whose imagination makes a perfectly ordinary object suddenly available for improvement. You can enjoy Zip’s excitement while also feeling a little sympathy for whoever owns the object. Both responses seem reasonable, particularly if the object happens to be Erik.
For readers exploring the Oh Erik story world, Zip-Artiste offers another personality to get caught up in. His interests lead him towards details other characters might overlook, and his extravagant approach gives everyone around him something to react to. You do not need to know anything about painting to appreciate the difficulty of being a cat near an inspired guinea pig.
Have a purruse of the characters and get acquainted with this enthusiastic little artist. There is plenty to like about someone who finds possibilities in a petal, though you might want to keep an eye on your belongings. And if you are invited to sit for a portrait, perhaps ask about the materials first. Erik has already tested two options.
