Everyone has their own abilities and they should be happy about them. But if you’re a rat that paints, you ought to be… celebrated. And this tiny fellow certainly was. Darius the rat went viral in social media for his painting talents on many occasions, and even though he has passed away, his paintings still bring a smile to people around the world.
Its owner Amalie Markota Andersen is a student of animation and digital arts. After training her little buddy to paint with his feet, she found that it took Darius approximately 10 minutes to finish one artwork and that she ended up selling three or four of his pieces.
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
When Amalie had Darius, she bought a set of non-toxic watercolors, put his feet in it and let him walk around on the paper until it began to look like something.
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
“Darius going viral was amazing, I was so glad people loved him,” Andersen said. “He deserved it!”
In a sense, she described Darius as a strange rat. Different from all the others she’s had. “He was very timid and quiet. He was not keen to explore as rats often do. He was either snuggled in my lap or lying in my bed. He was not particularly independent, constantly attached to me like a tiny baby. He was very close to me and naturally I was very close to him too, which made it very difficult for me to let him go when it was time.”
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
As Darius’ reputation on the Internet grew, Andersen became his manager. But in a perfectly good sense. After selling his paintings, Andersen spent the money to get Darius a harness so he could wear it outdoors and the two of them could safely venture outside.
Photo credit: Amalie Markota Andersen
“I have some regrets about selling the original,” Andersen added. “But it also gives me great joy to think that his artworks are out there somewhere, hopefully still intact and well!”
Photo credit: nebulami