Ratha

Basic info first; I did this on a canvas board with oil pastell in roughtly 2 hours.
I played with her markings a bit, adding the 'tearstreak' Clare Bell mentioned in her notes for Ratha's colorings ( [link] ) and i added the 'brow spot' and black marks on her ears (both being inspired by a cheetah picture i was using for reff) as well as the puma face mark. I think she came out a little dark but i guess Clare would have to be the judge of that.

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Recently i finished the novel "Ratha's Creature" and i had an odd happening apear in my life. Ratha's story ignited a hidden anger in me i havent felt in a long time and it mixed with some other emotions i was struggling with, which left me in an odd state. Working with children made that VERY acute, i was irratable and snappy when normally i would have been calm and understanding, so i knew i had to do someting.
First off i talked to my dear friend and he helped ease many of the worries i had in my heart (which i am SO thankfull for love. Seariously you are amazing) and then i painted this. Today i felt better than i had in nearly a week and in a strange way i realized Ratha was the cause, and then part of the cure.

Being really honest, i didnt like the book at first, but then it hooked me harder than a novle has in nearly two years; i couldnt put it down (seariously i was up till 4am when i had work the next morning ). I saw something in Ratha that was vey diffrent than me, and yet i identified with her almost as strongly as some of my novel idols (two being Alya from the "Earth Children Series" and Fell from "The Sight" and "Fell").

*SPOILER ALERT*
Her relationshp with Bonechewer rang so true for me (it think its because Bonechewer reminded me of my speical someone so much, in the way he reacted to Ratha and how he cared for her), but from the start i had the worry it wouldnt last, and the way it ended almost made me cry. I felt so bad for Ratha, but then i was so angry at her choice! Yes i am not a mother so i dont really know what the maternal bond is like, but come on how could you do that to your own blood! And poor Bonechewer, he sufferd from her choice too, if not more so that Thistle-chaser and Ratha herself.

But what i guess i trying to say is that by living through Ratha for a time, it became a true study of my own mind and emotions.

Thank you Clare Bell! I love the universe you created and it may have taken me a while but i have come to really admire Ratha and her world. Thank you for bringing such a rich story to life.