VAN KASTJE NAAR CANVASJE
2024
ORANJEBRUG
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MILOU VAN MONTFORT
I am Milou van Montfort (1990), a Dutch illustrator and comic book artist based in Utrecht. I have nurtured and developed my drawing talent from a young age, showing a particular interest in comics and animation, with a focus on human emotions and interactions.
My work is a blend of classical training, new media, and pop culture. I depict my subjects both realistically and stylized, using a variety of mediums, including pencil, charcoal, oil paint, and digital techniques.
I studied Illustration at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht. Before that, I had already published illustrative works and self-published comics. Later, I also published online, for example on Drawing the Times, and offline through the Utrecht-based comic collective De Inktpot. In my comics, I like to focus on reality, including themes such as history and healthcare.
The story behind the artwork
Nestled between two canals, the Vaartsche Rijn and the Merwedekanaal, this area feels pleasantly disjointed. It’s diverse in its composition, friendly, and sometimes a bit anonymous.
Near the Oranjebrug on our side, there’s a utility box. At this intersection, our cat Siep used to sit as a kind of beacon. He remained calm when dogs came sniffing around and lay like a pancake on the sidewalk, forcing people to walk around him. Through our window we would see people bending down to pet him all day long. He almost reached 18 years old and is greatly missed by the neighborhood, as well as by us. I had to explain to many people that the red cat had disappeared. “It’s a shame because when I saw him, I knew I was almost home,” someone said. Or a dog owner who mentioned that his dog missed the cat, etc.
When I saw this call, I thought it could be a nice tribute to do something with Siep the cat, as he was a public figure and we shared him with all the people passing by on Jutfaseweg.
I see the story of cat Siep as a unifying factor in a fairly anonymous street. I recognize that petting a cat together can lead to starting a conversation. I hope this utility box will encourage residents to reconnect and engage with each other again.
“Do you remember, that red cat?” or “Look! A cat! What’s it doing there?”
For the design of the box, I received photos of Siep from the resident. With my experience in creating animal portraits, it was important to me that Siep looked just right. He is the focal point of the design, so I chose to keep the people petting him anonymous. It’s all about Siep, the orange cat by the Oranjebrug!
In my design, I was also inspired by the red bricks used in the buildings around the Oranjebrug and played with the bridge railing next to which the utility box is located.
How did the painting go?
After a somewhat rocky start—finding a tag on my freshly primed utility box and having to step away from my work each time the bridge opened—the reactions from passersby made it all worthwhile. Nearly everyone expressed joy at how the box brightens up the area. I also heard countless times, “Good job!” and was asked if I would be decorating more boxes in the neighborhood. It was a refreshing change to work outside among people instead of alone in my office! I hadn’t had so many conversations in ages—what a delight!
While painting, I discovered that Siep was indeed a well-known figure in the area. Several passersby asked if this was the same red cat who used to lie across the street. As I painted, I heard stories about Siep that matched the text provided by the resident. It was touching to see that the neighborhood story I received was so meaningful to the community.
The most heartwarming moment was the reaction from Siep’s owners. They recognized their beloved cat and hadn’t expected to see a portrait of him. It brought a tear to their eye and a lot of gratitude.
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