We saw this charming orange tabby cat at Ainoshima Island in Japan, not far from Fukuoka. It's a bit of a slog to get there. You take a train, then a bus, then a tiny ferry that only runs a few times a day. But it was worth it. Hundreds or thousands of cats everywhere, roaming free. They just own the place.
The island is tiny. You can walk around the whole thing in about an hour. There are more cats than people, and the cats know it. They're not shy at all. They'll walk right up to you, sit on your bag, follow you down the path hoping you brought snacks.
This little guy was hanging out alone in front of a concrete wall, away from all the chaos. He had this calm, settled look about him, like he'd picked his spot and wasn't interested in competing for attention. I loved that about him, so I painted him exactly as I found him.
If you're a cat lover and you ever get the chance to visit a cat island in Japan, do it. There are a few of them, but Ainoshima was ours.