The paw treatment is underway, but Rosy is still listening. In Rosy by Jacqueline Gaylard S.O.F.A., a tortoiseshell cat attends carefully to the spaces between her claws, with a pink tongue doing the work and an ear turned towards whatever else might be happening.
Jacqueline’s acrylic on board celebrates the variety in a tortie’s coat: oranges, deep darks, white and touches of pink. The colours give the artist plenty to enjoy, but the grooming gesture makes the portrait feel particularly familiar. Anyone who has waited for a cat to finish washing before accepting a cuddle will recognise that sense of priorities.
The artist suggests that Rosy may be listening for her afternoon cuddle. Whether or not the invitation arrives, she seems determined to be properly prepared. It is a lovely example of an everyday habit becoming the subject of a characterful painting.
Look closely at the face, the paw and that attentive ear. There is more than one task being managed here.
Explore the Winter Exhibition
The exhibition closes on Sunday 15 November 2026.
