Kevin the School Cat by SwiftMantis, 2021

Local artist SwiftMantis, painted this mural at Parkland School in Palmerston North, featuring Kevin the stray who became the beloved school cat.

"Most days when I turned up to paint, Kevin would be patiently waiting for the library to open to get to his favorite sleeping spot inside. Then as it cooled down in the afternoon he'd jump up on the cleaners trolley and catch a ride round the school grounds. He has a very unique right eye that I wanted to showcase in this portrait, from the original green colour it breaks in to a rustic red/brown/orange and gold colourscheme which I've echoed through the background colours in the books and grasses surrounding him. The fern sprouting from the book titled 'Parkland' symbolizes the young minds sprouting from the knowledge of Parkland school."

Image credit: SwiftMantis