The older I get, the more I appreciate a quiet hug. Not the big showy kind, just the soft, reassuring ones that make everything feel a little steadier.

Cats, of course, are experts at this. They curl up, lean in, press a warm paw against you, snuggle in and somehow that’s enough. Purrrfect.

I think that’s partly why I love painting animals. A painting can be a bit like a hug too. Something familiar and comforting on the wall, quietly keeping you company.

So if you’re marking National Hug Day today, my advice is simple. Hug a person if you can. And if there’s a cat nearby… well, they’ll decide if you’re allowed.

This print is taken from my original oil painting. The original has now found its forever home, but this pair of snugglers live on as a print.