Gary says: “When choosing the composition for this
drawing, I tried to make it as different as possible to my hugely successful 1993
Snow leopard; the only similarity really being it was of the same species of
animal. I like to challenge myself in this way as it keeps my mind open to
fresh ideas and focused on why I love to draw. I get such a satisfying feeling
when I push myself that little bit further and then the drawing starts to gel,
it all begins to fall into place. Such a fantastic rush!
“The
bold markings running down the elongated back of Snow Leopards are very beautiful
so I wanted to showcase them in Sabu. Also, they can sometimes have such serene
and noble expressions on their faces (as with other cats, both wild and domestic).
I try to bring these traits out in my cat drawings and not the more harsh,
predatory gaze that is also very much a part of the cat psyche.
“Sabu
proved to be very popular, selling out even before the print publication date. The
Croydon Framing Centre alone sold 120 copies. From the age of four until twenty
two, I lived in Croydon's adjoining village
of Beddington and I was
born only a few miles further away.
“I
exhibited the original Sabu at the annual Society of Wildlife Artists show at the Mall
Galleries, London.
It sold almost immediately on the private viewing day to a family whose Mother
had recently died and left them some money. I felt hugely honoured that they chose
to purchase Sabu in her memory. Incidentally, they were aware of my art
beforehand but didn’t know I that I was exhibiting when they entered the
gallery. Sabu sold, for I believe, £13,650.
“In
Tibetan villages the Snow Leopard is known as Sabu. I thought this mystical-
sounding name a perfect title for my drawing.”
