I’ve been thinking recently about why we’re drawn so strongly to baby animals — that immediate sense of softness, attention, and care they seem to evoke in us.
It’s often described as instinct — something built into us, a kind of ‘nature to nurture’.
But the way we respond isn’t always equal.
Some animals are instantly read as ‘cute’ or worthy of attention, while others don’t trigger the same reaction at all — not because they feel any less, but because of how they’re perceived.
Recently I came across something about the psychology of cuteness, and it made me reflect on my own work. Whether I’ve, at times, been unconsciously drawn towards certain subjects simply because they’re easier for us to connect with visually.
And that raised something for me — this is something that’s been shaping my work more consciously over the past couple of years.
Not choosing subjects based on what draws people in first, but holding onto the idea that every animal has presence, individuality, and a way of being in the world that isn’t defined by how “appealing” they appear to us at first glance.
The welcome challenge for me is how to continue reflecting that at the easel.
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