SOLD

Explaining the Election to Cats

From the After the Election Collection
Original 9×12 oil painting on stretched canvas
By Kellie Snider, Contemporary American Artist

TikTok wouldn’t let me post this painting unless I covered her up.

At first glance, Explaining the Election to Cats presents an intimate, almost tender moment: a woman sits naked on the ground, her posture slightly hunched, her face obscured by the soft curtain of her brown bobbed hair. The viewer does not see her expression, only the shape of her body as she leans forward on one arm, angled three-quarters away from us, looking downward as though caught in thought or weariness. Two sleek, lean cats surround her, their energy in stark contrast to her stillness. One leaps into the air near her back, mid-motion, its striped tail extended. The other is stretched out on its back along the ground, its long limbs reaching toward her, twisting with playful, almost mischievous intent. The background is saturated vermillion, a color that radiates warmth but also intensity, underscoring the underlying tension and emotion in the piece.

On the surface, this painting captures a quiet, private moment between a woman and her cats—creatures often associated with solace, companionship, and mystery. But the title and theme of the work suggest something deeper, something distinctly political. The title, Explaining the Election to Cats, immediately injects humor into the scene. It references an internet joke that circulated heavily during the election, which suggested that single women, especially those with cats, were overwhelmingly in support of Kamala Harris and the Democratic ticket. In reality, polling data confirmed that unmarried women—many of whom proudly embrace their identities as “cat ladies”—were one of the strongest voting blocs against the right-wing movement.

During the election cycle, this stereotype of single, cat-owning women voting Democratic became both a rallying cry and an insult, depending on the perspective. Right-wing commentators dismissed their votes as frivolous, while feminists and progressives leaned into the image with pride, wearing it as a badge of honor. The idea that women who had chosen independence—whether by remaining single, focusing on careers, or simply not structuring their lives around traditional expectations—had used their vote to push for a more progressive America became a cultural talking point. This painting speaks to that moment, to the frustration and exhaustion of those women who saw their voices dismissed while simultaneously knowing their votes had helped shape the election’s outcome.

The woman in the painting is naked, an artistic choice that strips her of any external identifiers like clothing, status, or political affiliation. Her vulnerability is evident, yet her posture suggests quiet resilience. She does not look at the viewer, nor does she seem engaged in the antics of the cats around her. Instead, she looks downward, as if lost in the effort of explaining something complex to creatures who will never fully grasp it. The humor of the title suggests that this is an impossible task—explaining something as convoluted, as fraught with misinformation and emotional weight as an American election to cats, who, of course, neither care nor understand.

The cats themselves are lean and energetic, one leaping, the other stretching, both reaching toward her, their bodies elongated and expressive. Their movements bring a playful contrast to the woman’s stillness, suggesting that while she is engaged in contemplation, the world around her—embodied here by the cats—continues with its own chaotic, indifferent rhythm. Their coloration, both somewhat orange, subtly alludes to the dominant figure of the previous administration, though whether they represent his presence, his lingering impact, or simply the chaotic energy surrounding the election is left open to interpretation.

The vermillion background is another striking choice. The bold, heated color pulses behind the figures, intensifying the emotional undertones of the piece. Vermillion is associated with passion, with urgency, with blood and fire. It is a color that does not allow for neutrality, much like the election itself. There is no cool distance here—only engagement, emotion, and perhaps fatigue.

As part of the After the Election Collection, this painting encapsulates a specific cultural moment. It reflects the exhaustion, humor, and absurdity of navigating political conversations in an era when truth often felt slippery, when voters were vilified or mocked based on demographic generalizations, and when even the simple act of casting a ballot could become a symbol of defiance or allegiance.

Yet, despite the weighty themes, Explaining the Election to Cats is also a deeply personal piece. It invites the viewer into a moment of solitude, a quiet scene that balances on the edge of frustration and absurdity. It asks a question without demanding an answer: How do you explain something so monumental to those who will never fully grasp its significance? The cats may never understand the election, just as many people refuse to see the stakes involved in the decisions made at the ballot box. And yet, the effort continues.

This painting is more than just a political statement—it is an emotional snapshot, a reflection of a moment in time when the personal and the political were inextricably linked, when humor was a survival tool, and when even the smallest acts—like explaining the election to one’s cats—became a way of processing the gravity of history in motion.

Kellie Snider is a contemporary American artist whose work challenges social and political norms with bold, thought-provoking imagery. Rooted in storytelling, her paintings explore themes of justice, identity, and power, often confronting issues like inequality, systemic oppression, and the distortion of faith in modern America. With a background in behavior analysis, she brings a keen observational eye to her work, capturing the nuances of human and animal interactions. Her art invites conversation and reflection, urging viewers to engage beyond aesthetics. Through dynamic compositions and rich symbolism, Snider creates work that resonates with those seeking truth, change, and authenticity.

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SOLD – Explaining the Election to Cats – Original Oil Painting from the After the Election Collection