Cosmic Kitty (lost constellation Felis) - 31" x 31"

Cosmic Kitty (lost constellation Felis) is an original acrylic, charcoal, and silver leaf painting on a 30" x 30" canvas in a contemporary maple "float" style frame.
 
There used to be many more constellations in the sky than there are now.  In 1922 the International Astronomical Union formally recognized 88 constellations, effectively wiping all others from the sky.  This left many well-deserving constellations out in the cold.  Constellation Felis is one of those. 
Felis was created by French astronomer Jerome Lalande in 1799 because he loved cats and felt badly that none were represented in the sky.  
‘I have inserted between the Ship and the Cup a new constellation, a Cat… I greatly love these animals… I will have it engraved on the charts; the starry sky has tired me enough in my life that I can now have my fun with it.’