My Friends,
The legend of Wampus Cat speaks of a Native American woman of breathtaking beauty who possessed a passion for knowledge. A passion that would ultimately bind her in fur and claw.
Wampus Cat
Daring to learn the sacred stories of magic, she stole under the cloak of night and mountain cat-hide to eavesdrop on tribal elders. Medicine Man sensed something amiss and she was soon discovered. As punishment, Medicine Man transformed her. With one stroke of his mighty hand, her body absorbed the mountain-cat hide she wore. She morphed into a wicked creature destined to roam the woods and hills forever alone. She never acquired the knowledge she so desperately desired. She was educated in rage. Her mind knew what she’d become. Forever…
So if you venture into the forest deep, and should you hear the crack of wood or the soft patter of a two-hundred pound cat woman, you best run. There is no smooth-talking Wampus Cat – you’ll only piss her off.
Thank you. May you cuddle with sweet kittens and pampered pooches. And hopefully, Wampus Cat stays in the forest.
Wampus Cat sketched today while beautiful snow was falling. This sketch is unfinished. She needs work and I’m unsure about the tail – could look unnecessarily ‘phalic’ (might be a bad thing for an agitated woman). Final render will cover Wampus in black fur and white teeth 🙂
anntogether 
A mean lookin’ woman indeed… ggrrr.
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Hey, John!
I hope she gets lots meaner before I’m through! This is only the beginning 🙂
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I wish I could draw like you!
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I called the art fairy (she owes me a favor) and she tells me your wish has been granted, my friend 🙂
Now you pick up that pencil in the drawer by your phone and start doodling. You craft gorgeous artful images, I know you have art in your heart, John and I know you can do it!
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LOL!!!
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😉
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Okay, now, I really like this Wampus Cat — like the story (thank you: I knew nothing at all about her, the legend, so I’m very happy to learn of it), like the drawing (so strong — and you know, AM, if I haven’t told you this already [think I have but it bears repeating] you really imbue your characters/figures with distinct personality via the eyes — “the eyes have it”] and I also happen to LIKE that tail!, and finally, I think the writing here is perfectly SO, it’s exactly the tone I think you mean to strike in your project. I can’t wait to see completed Wampus Cat! And finally (I know I said that already), finally, the story is so deep and sad, and yet reaffirming. Glad you brought this one to the page. 🙂
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Morning Deb.
It’s always fascinating learning of a legend where person and animal meet somewhere in the middle and come out the other end morphed together. This premise opens up worlds of possibilities…and plain old fun! I switched out the art after I had a lightbulb moment and repositioned the tail. It did look a bit more ‘misbehaved.’ Now, I think it’s probably okay.
The story was a bit more in depth, but always trying to keep my old posts short and sweet I created an abridged, abridged version 🙂
AM 🙂
Happy Youday! 😉
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The tail is fine, AM. I meant to also say that I really like the way you have her turned toward the viewer — the positioning of her shoulders, I mean. I think that’s cool. How come there hasn’t been a movie made of this creature yet, I wonder? It has all kinds of feminist implications — it would make a terrific movie! The story is intriguing. And yes, a “Youday,” I like the sound of that! Now, as long as I don’t squander the opportunities it presents … !
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I wanted her to look powerful and the tail came out better. The older one looked questionable 🙂 Don’t want anyone thinking there’s a subliminal agenda 😉
And I agree, she’d make an intriguing cinema character.
Have a great day!
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Catwoman will never look as good as Halle Berry in the movie by the same title although Diane Keaton was pretty hot in her version. 200 pounds? That’s a bit overweight for my taste but then at 270 I’m a bit more than she could chew on without a fight! 🙂
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Ah Bob, lover of true giant felines – there’s nothing like a big powerful pissed-off catwoman to keep things exciting 😉
And I will always favor Julie Newmar from the 1960’s series 🙂
And you sir, have a great day 🙂
AnnMarie 🙂
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Now you’re talking about a fine figure of a catwoman! She was an early villain in the original Batman TV series. Nice memory.
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I tell you who I think would have made a fantastic Catwoman – Sophia Loren! If I come back in a second life I want to look like her 😉
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This is a fascinating story and great art. I’m looking forward to the finished version. A sad tale though, that the woman is punished for desiring knowledge. Hush, hush, keep the knowledge a secret, then you have power. 🙂
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It is a sad tale. When I first read of Wampus, I found her really intriguing on so many levels and just a fun gal to draw. I hope I can do her justice in the finish.
Thank you.
Happy Tuesday.
AnnMarie 🙂
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Actually, I wish she would come out of the forest and get rid of the guys who hoard information and secrets so that there was a fair playing field and everyone was equal. I like her. She probably felt as if that was the only way that she, as a female, could gain knowledge. She was punished for wanting to learn. Let her roam free to do as she will. I’ll pack her lunch, and send her off with many treats and a kiss on the ears.
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I think she’d like treats and kisses very much 🙂 Maybe enough to say, the hell with the forest!
Have a wondrous Wednesday.
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