Wesley the Cat

Title: Wesley the Cat
Owner: Patrick J. Eller
Received from: Patrick J. Eller
Creation Date(s): Unknown
Original: Yes
Medium: Paint (oil)
Framed: No
Notes: Received as a gift from Steve...

"Steve was a friend since grade school and we hung out together until later in our high school years when we went our separate ways. When ever we ran into each other we were glad to catch up on what was going on. At least 20 years ago I was in St. Cloud for the evening and stopped at O'Hara's for last call. It was a quiet night and Steve was there alone. He had been drinking and I offered him a ride home. He accepted and when we got to his apartment on East River Road, he invited me up and we talked for awhile. When it was time to go he went to another room and brought out a painting of a cat on a sunny rug in what looked like the house he had lived in near Seberger Park Park in West St. Cloud, maybe not but the painting was more than 'good' it hinted mystery and singular talent. Steve told me it was one of his first and then insisted I take it. I left that night and never was with Steve again."

- Patrick J. Eller

"Pat, What a wonderful surprise to see this painting after so many years! This winter, I was reminiscing through all the catalog of Steve's artwork I knew of. I thought of this painting; then thought maybe my recollection was wrong because I hadn't see it for so long. The cat's name is Wesley (after John Wesley Harding). In 1977, when I was in college at St. Cloud State, I took a photograph of my cat Wesley upstairs in the old corner house I was living in (the house was on 10th across from State). Steve and I both loved the photo of Wesley basking in the sunlight on his favorite rug. When Steve was in art class at State, he used the photo of Wesley in his pensive pose to create this painting. Thanks for sharing. I hope to see you in June at Steve's art reception.

- Teresa Asleson (Steve's sister, aka "Little Smitty")