The basic shapes of the reference were altered.  The body shapes were narrowed, the head widened.  These were simple changes. 

 

When you alter shapes, think of it as playing.  Play with the forms.  Be open to anything that happens.  You aren’t trying to create something that you imagined ahead of time.  You are discovering a new way to draw a cat, one shape at a time.

 

 

Once  the body was drawn over the shapes, the image took on a life of its own.  The whimsical fence, buildings and moon were added.  Changes to a few basic shapes can inspire  a series of moves that result in unique imagery  that is completely different from, but inspired by the original reference.