March 31, Fred!

 Yes, I had to paint Fred. Can you see why? I think originally the photo was upside down, so that's why I'm posting it this way~

Here's Fred's story!

This is Fred or Red Fred or Freddy boy.

His is a story of we are not sure who rescued who.  We lost our precious girl tabby cat to cancer.  A few months later, a friend called to say the rescue that she helps with had an orange tabby who she thought we needed to meet.  The bond was immediate as my husband picked him up and he snuggled in.  As you can see, this boy has so much positive personality! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, (This is his contribution to his story) He talks constantly with short chirps and always wants to be with one of us.  He shares many traits with our girl and that has helped us heal from our loss.  Such a bright star that we love so much!

6x6 acrylic on wood

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March 30, Bella

 And this is the almost last cat! One more tomorrow!  With all the double cats, I think I've done 34 cats this year!

Here's Bella's story~

The Calico is named Bella.  She was a stray and picked up by rescue when she was about a year old.  She loves food.  When she was about 2, Sophie and I were trying to eat lunch and she kept trying to steal our food. When we kept putting her on the floor, she sneaked up along the wall and window sill and tried to get at it from the back of the table.  She’s very social -comes to the door when you get there.  Her favorite trick is to lie on her back and lure you in to rub her tummy and then grab your hand with all four paws and claw you. At the right time of day, she’s playful and cuddly.

8x8 acrylic on wood

sold!

March 29, Stella

 This is Stella, and here's her story~

The Tuxedo is Stella.  Sophie got her from rescue when she was a kitten.  Stella is fearful of anything new.  I hardly ever see her, because she hides under the bed when visitors come.  When she’s comfortable though, she’s affectionate and bossy.  When I used to cat sit ( before everyone moved to Portland), after about three days of no Sophie, she would decided I was an acceptable sub.  She would walk off toward the bedroom, meowing over her shoulder until I figured out she wanted me to come lie on the bed so we could snuggle. 

8x8 acrylic on wood

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March 28, Job

This cat has such a beautiful presence, it was another one that was a joy to paint! Not that they aren't all joys, but some just come off the brush with a different flow...

Here's what Margret says her son says about Job~ (with a long "o"!- I asked~)~

 Job came to us as a rescue when he was about three years old. Originally intended as a companion for my grandmother, he actually imprinted on me and my dad. Job is very talkative; I definitely get what some of his meows mean, and he understands a few phrases of mine. In his tuxedo, he’s dressed for any occasion, but his favorite activities include sleeping in the sunny spot on top of his shelf, running after toys and thrown treats, and sneaking past whoever opens the door. Now that he’s a senior cat of 15 years, we help him up and down from the shelf, but otherwise you’ll mistake him for a playful whippersnapper.

6x6 acrylic on wood

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March 27, Harley for ANN!

 And this is Harley! My friend Susan, whom I haven't seen in a while and am so excited to reconnect with her, asked me to paint him for her sister, Ann!

Here's what Susan says about Harley!

Harley is her buddy. He is named after the motorcycle. I crack up when I go over and show him bird videos on my phone.. super funny. I think he's around 10 years old, but acts like a feisty kitty sometimes. He's a coooool cat!

And here's what Susan officially wrote for me! 

For Ann -

 He is stubborn and independent like his owner, and enjoys watching videos of birds in his spare time.

Harley sure looks cool, with that cocky even gaze and those green green eyes!

8x8 acrylic on wood

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March 26, Charlotte for her Birthday!

This one is from my friend Pat, who says, " I'd like March 26 if possible, since that's Charlotte's birthday. If that's already taken, that's fine, as she doesn't seem to really appreciate my efforts to celebrate it."

Most cats don't seem to care about when their birthdays are, or even about celebrating them. Do you suppose that's because every day is cat day?

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold!

 

March 25, Loup-Loup, Loupie!

 This is one of those amazing fluffy cats, with liquid eyes, who fills your soul with warmth.

Here is Loup's story!

Loup, affectionately known as Loupie or Loup-Loup was born in Oregon. Loup is French for wolf and pronounced Lou.  Loup flew to Minneapolis once as a therapy cat and stayed with us before moving here permanently in 2021 with his pet parent.  Emotional support cats provide comfort to their pet parents.  Loup loves to hide under blankets and loves his cat toys.   

6x6 acrylic on wood

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March 24th, Gemma for Tara!

 We saw the NORTHERN LIGHTS last night!!!! Those are just mad crazy pants stuff, babe!  Whew!

Stood in the middle of the street in Grand Marais MN and watched them for an hour until I got so chilled and stiff necked I had to go in!

And this is Gemma, who has some Northern Lights kinda eyes!

And I mistakenly put two cats on for today, so Louise is up NEXT!

6x6 acrylic on wood

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March 23, Perkie!

 This is Perkie, who seems to have a pretty appropriate name!

I'm at the Grand Marais Art Colony this week, with my friends Michelle and Kris, and it's been a huge week of grieving loss and healing by the big lake, and laughing during yesterday's big snow and bullying our cars out of the snowplow's drift, and staying up late watching Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda in "Nine to Five" and getting things sewn and painted.

I actually painted this painting at the North Shore 24 Hour Laundromat this morning... it's got a great view of the lake!

Thanks for being part of this big, tough, love-full time in our lives.

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 22, In Memory of Moon

 This is a beautiful feral kitty who lived in upstate New York~

This is part of her story, from my friend Maggie~

A friend in New York State had a traumatic experience recently where one of three feral cats he was taking care of (and trying to domesticate) was hit by a car. He is really traumatized while still taking care of the other two, who have just started peeking inside. He feeds them, gave them house warmers, etc, but ended up burying the one that he had just taken to be nuetured. He came home just a few days later to find the cat (Moon) had been hit by a car and had died. 

6x6 acrylic on wood

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March 21, Karel

 Another one that I just loved painting!  Those whiskers, always the last thing I add, were just a BLAST!

And here's Karel's story!

Our sweet ginger boy has lived with us over a decade since we got him as a kitten from the Humane Society.  The shelter had named him "Orange Juice" but he was quickly renamed to the Dutch version of Carl - Karel.  Karel is very social and will greet all guests directly.  He doesn't hide during parties but instead, likes to be the center of everything.  At dinner parties, he'll join from a barstool quietly observing the activities.  He has a large fan club.  Karel likes my husband and I equally.  When sitting on the couch together, he'll make sure that if he is snoozing on one of us, he has a paw stretched out to the other.  

Likes:       Shrimp, long shoelaces & 4 am "purr parties" 

Dislikes:    The cat carrier, unfamiliar noises & empty food bowls

8x8 acrylic on wood

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March 20 Phoebe

 Here is the beautiful Phoebe~ who has left this earthly plane.

These eyes are so calm and gentle. It's an amazing thing to be able to live with these creatures, isn't it?

6x6 acrylic on wood

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March 19, Ziva!

 And here is the FIRST cat, of the yesterday-cat and today-cats!

Here's Ziva's story~

 Ziva is a sleek, soft black cat with a small white patch on her chest. As if she had stepped in some paint, she has three perfectly white socks on her front left foot and one white toe bean on the back. She is a curious cat! She can look out the window and watch the birds and leaves for hours. Whenever something is being done, from cooking to a home repair project, she is sure to appear to investigate. Her yellow eyes observe and seem to ask, “What are you doing?” Ziva is almost three years old, adopted from the shelter. I later adopted another cat, Vanya. Ziva is definitely the top cat, grooming her younger sister and making sure she knows who’s boss. Yet Ziva is still my baby, happy to be snuggled or carried over my shoulder. If there’s bag she can crawl into or a basket of laundry she can hide in, she will! She loves to be petted and always begins purring immediately.

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 18, Vanya

 My friends Carolyn and Brad, have been incredible patrons and friends since the beginning and have stepped up again this year to have me paint a few pieces for them, and this is one. Another sweet eyed cat!

And her older sister posts tomorrow!  I got their order out of order!

Here's Vanya's story!

Vanya When I made my required second visit to the shelter to select a cat, Vanya was the only one left in the cat room. She was a little tiger kitten – not quite gray, not quite brown - looking up at me from the cold cement floor, as if to say, “Are we going home now?” Two years later, Vanya has grown into a beautiful adult cat with arresting jade green eyes and splendid white whiskers. She is a roque spirit, a timid fairy, maybe even a bit autistic. When approached, she will often run away, or does she just do that for fun? She does not really like to be held, but will happily come to you for pets, then languidly stretch out on her side so you can pet her belly. She definitely lives life on her own terms. Vanya is a very independent cat – what cat isn’t? – and perfectly able to entertain herself with cat toys, or just a rubber band. She keeps track of her older cat sister, Ziva. At night, they will wrestle and run, then curl up together in the shape of a heart.

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 17, Azula for Fiona

Azula is a gorgeous green-eyed grey cat, and this was a delight to paint.

8x8 acrylic on wood

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March 16, Keely and Percy for Marcy

 So I've painted a few of Marcy's other beautiful cats, and here's the one from last year~

And she asked to have these two painted together, because she'd gotten them for her older cat. The vet suggested she get another cat so her older cat wouldn't be lonely, and that getting TWO more cats would be a great idea, because they would entertain each other and not bug the older cat so much, though they would provide the companionship and warmth the older cat requires.

And that's what happened!

Aren't they the sweetest?

6x12 acrylic on wood

spoken for~

March 15th, ZAZZLE for the DAZZLING TINI'S BIRTHDAY!!!

 Happy Birthday Tini!

You are the best! And you love cats! And you show up and are there for people-

Thank you!

Here's you wonderful wacky Zazzle!

8x8 acrylic on wood

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March 14, Cleo, the Queen!

 And another fun one!  By this point in the project, I'm getting into a rhythm and feeling good about most of my paintings, which is really encouraging, I can tell ya!  I'm heading up to the Grand Marais Art Colony this Saturday for a week long residency with my friends Kris and Michelle, and I'll be painting a pile of paintings along with the daily cats while I'm there. I'm SO looking forward to it!

Here is Cleo's story~

Cleo and I met under very unique circumstances. I studied animal behavior in college and was conducting a study on cat behavior at a local cat cafe, but our research required us to be very “hands off” with the cats, meaning no pets or snuggles (I know, nearly impossible). Cleo, then named Queen, was one of my research subjects, and I only knew her then as the quiet one who stayed in the cat tree and got picked on by the bigger cats. A month or so later, my cat Nelly had passed away so I was in need of a new best friend. My research project had wrapped up, and I had continued to volunteer at the cat cafe. Cats would come and go, but Cleo was always there. I came in one day to fill out an adoption application for two kittens, and as I was filling it out, Cleo jumped onto my lap and nuzzled into me. I’d never seen her be so loving and snuggly much less jump onto anyone’s lap, and I knew in that moment that she was my cat. I changed my application to adopt Cleo instead, and we’ve been best friends ever since.

6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 13, Diego!

 Today is Diego's birthday! SO that makes it his GOLDEN birthday too, because he is thirteen today! 

Here's what Ashley and Dylan wrote about him~

Happy Golden Birthday Diego! 13 years old and spunky as ever. Diego was adopted as a kitten by a college roommate and ultimately joined Lauren post-college. Diegs knows what he does (and doesn’t) want and isn’t afraid to make that known. He’s playful and always loves a good cuddle session with Lauren. He is a treat fiend, a true friend, and the cutest lil guy. Cheers and Happy Birthday buddy! 

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 12, Merlin!

 Here's a sweet black cat. You might know by now that I enjoy painting black animals... and that includes black cats. I've always loved cats and especially black ones. I somehow skipped over that superstition of being wary of black cats (and dogs) and the number 13 and all that. One of my favorite cats was my black cat Jeebo, and even longer ago, my black cat Midnight, who was my 7th birthday present, as my mom drove me to the St Paul Humane Society and I got to pick a cat out for my very own, and I chose him because he was black, with one little white patch on his chest.

But this isn't Midnights' story!  It is Merlin's!

Merlin’s story 

 

When he first saw Merlin at the shelter, staring down with his golden eyes from the highest perch in the cat room, Bill knew that he was the one. Merlin was believed to be about six years old at the time, and he had been at the shelter the longest of all the cats there – for over two years – when Bill took him home. Bill always thought of Merlin as a sphinx, the keeper of ancient secrets, wise and mysterious, but also as loving and affectionate as could be. Over the years, Merlin came through illness and injury with true black cat toughness, a definite nine-lives kind of guy, until Bill lost him last summer. There will never be another quite like Merlin. 

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

Wait~ I think I forgot his whiskers!!!!!

March 11, Aslan

 This is my friend Amy's sister's cat! This was another one that was an absolute delight to paint. And what a story~

In 2008, my parents signed up to foster cats from the local animal shelter. They thought it would be fun to help socialize cats and get them ready for their forever home. Their first foster was a mother cat and newborn kittens who had been found in a garage in the middle of winter. The mother and all of the kittens had a severe upper respiratory virus. Instead of the fun experience they had anticipated, my parents found themselves staying up all night with kittens who were struggling to breathe. Sadly, all of the kittens succumbed to the respiratory virus except one: Aslan! My sister adopted Aslan and my parents adopted the mother cat. My mom commented, “When you save an animal’s life, it’s hard to take them back to the shelter.” Aslan has been my sister’s best friend for almost fifteen years!

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 10, Sirius and Seth

 This is a two-for-one!  The second one this week, because I wasn't thinking about planning at all. That's how clever I am!

And these two were being held in the arms of their owner, and I patched them in together... I think it looks al right... Its always tricky putting things into a photo that weren't there already~

I do love the eyes, though!

6x12 acrylic on wood

March 9, Toby for Julia

 Some cats just have a presence, and this is one of them. Painting that face and that gaze made me feel more centered and at ease...

Here's what his owners say~

Toby is a lively, social, curious, and remarkably sweet cat rescued from Houston, Texas. He loves any opportunity to chase a toy around, never turns down a scratch on the chin, and keeps a close eye on the outdoors from his window perch. Toby is not afraid to ask for attention and will often jump onto my lap and lay down wherever best suits him. He greets me at the door every day after school, reminds me when it’s time for a meal, and happily helps clean any yogurt or ice cream bowl. Toby always wants to be a part of whatever activity is going on, even if that means moving one of his naps to a new spot. To conclude with his greatest strengths, Toby is a surprisingly strong tug-of-war opponent, a professional napper, and, while only on his terms, a world-class cuddler. 

8x8 acrylic on wood

sold~

March 8, Leo and Oliver

 My friend Connie asked me to paint this pair for her daughter's birthday, and I said "Can I paint them bIGGER?" and she said YES, so this is the largest painting for this project so far. Ask me why I didn't wait til later in the month to paint it? Like, during my spring break when I might have had more time? I wasn't planning ahead very well- I actually started this one a couple days ago because I was afraid my time would be limited, and was able to mostly finish it up this morning...

Here's what Connie says about this duo!

These are my daughter Olivia's cats, Leo and Oliver. They are the sweetest siblings and they share a studio apartment with her and her boyfriend in West Hollywood. Leo especially loves to climb curtains and is quite the daredevil, while Oliver loves stretching out in the empty bathtub for some belly scratches. Cats are such individuals!

 

12x16 acrylic on canvas

spoken for~

March 7, Squeak!

 Here is Squeak!  And I've painted a few other cats for Ashley and Dylan, which is always fun, to add to a collection!

here's what they say about Squeak!

Herrre’s Squeak! Squeak E. Cheese, blue-noser, madame Squeaks, our lil peanut… the newest member of our family! This adorable 13 year old lady came to us August 2022. 

She belonged to Dylan’s wonderful great-aunt Edna. When Edna passed, we decided Squeak would be a great addition to our crew. And so Ms Squeak made the journey from Olathe, KS, to Crystal, MN. She is cuddly as ever with us humans, has the loudest purr, and is tolerating the other kitties more and more each day. We love you Squeak!

-Dylan & Ashley Kvasnicka 

I redid Squeak a bit!  I like her much better~

6x6 acrylic on wood

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March 6, Rizzi for Sandy!

 Here's Rizzi!  And this is Sandy's story about her~

We found Rizzi on an  AHS web page in 2015; she was being treated for a bite wound, very young and had been transported from Milwaukee. She was ready for adoption the day after Thanksgiving.

She spent her first night in my daughters room where she got into a vent and made her way through the ceiling and into a wall behind the downstairs kitchen. We had to move the stove and a section of wall, attempted to lure her down, but the whole night she was out of reach and apparently napping. She finally joined us in the morning.

Rizzi refuses to wear collars, demands outdoor time and morning treats. She was a great companion to our old dog Tony, and loves being with family. She still avoids our neighborhood friend who thought it was a good idea to give her a bath.

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 5, Henry!

 Yes, I DID start this one this morning, and then I went to church to meet my mom for Lent, and then we went and had lunch at Panera, and I'm also obsessed with making this silk shirt and I've been working on THAT for three days now, so there's just a lot going on! But this is HENRY! He has the greatest gaze! You definitely feel LOOKED at when he's looking at you!

I'll show you the shirt when I get it finished!

6x6 acrylic on panel

sold!

March 4, Arthur!

 This is my friend Amy's mischievous and clever cat, Arthur, and he is a beautiful Siamese mix, I think she said. He's also so smart, they have to lock their windows because he's figured out how to take out the screens to get out and they'd like him to stay an indoor cat, and he figured out how to make the cat-food-feeding-machine give him more food!  I'll see if she'll let me share some of her videos- he is just a brilliant little booger!  He can turn on the water in the bathroom and will drink out of the faucet, and he has a little sidekick named Pippin who isn't as smart at all but who offers the hero-worship Arthur needs. Arthur taught Pippin how to drink out of the faucet too.

And I think I forgot the whiskers!  I'll have to go back in and update this post! Also, I'm not sure I like the edge of the basket... I might just extend his fluff to the edge of the piece...

6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for~

March 3, Teddy!

Kathy sent me this amazing photo, and this lovely story about Teddy!

Sweet silly Teddy with googly eyes and a crooked nose came to me from Last Hope because they needed a foster home where he could heal from various wounds.  After gaining his trust, of course I had to adopt him.  He never lost his fear of all people except me but he was wonderful with the puppy who became his best friend for the past 13 years.   He even allowed a little house mouse to live here for two years, stealing his kibble at night.

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold!

 Man, I had so much fun painting this one!  It's so funny- I do love to paint every day, and sometimes the paintings don't work out as well as I'd like, but sometimes they are just so... easy!  Like, they just spill out of the brush, you know? And I'm sure it's because I DO paint every (or almost) day and so my skill level is up there, but it just really feels great when one is this fun.  And I couldn't tell from the photos that Kathy sent of Teddy that it would be so fun. Isn't that weird? I wonder if it's more about the timing and the whole set up, like the paint is in perfect condition, I had a brand new brush when I painted this, and the light was good.

Life is just so full of unexpected surprises, you know?

I hope you have some good ones!

March 2, Jiji for Satchel

 This is Jiji!  Such a gorgeous black cat, with luminous eyes... I spent quite a bit of time on those eyes this morning....

Here's what Carolyn wrote about this lovely~

Satchel’s Jiji loves to play !

He can be quite particular about his toys

Since Satchel is an athlete who has always appreciated good sports equipment, they are a great team .

I adjusted some of Fiji's dark fur and opened her eyes a bit more~

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 1, Mrs Tiggy Winkle!

 Here is the FIRST CRITTER of this year's "30 Cats in 30 Days" and yes, she isn't a cat because usually for this month long project I accept creatures other than cats, but this time she is the only one that isn't a cat!  And she belongs to my dear sweet friend Carol and her grandbabies. Carol called her a Geriatric Hedgehog and told me they had thought they'd lost her before Christmas because they hadn't seen her since Dec 18th, and then she showed up a couple weeks ago. Carol's husband Bob was sitting on the couch and noticed the pillows moving, and upon lifting them he found Mrs Tiggy Winkle! She had pink insulation bits stuck in her prickles and was very hungry for the mealworms that were fortunately (?) still being kept in the back of the fridge. What they deduce is that the hedgehog followed the familiar scent of other rodents and found the mouse hole into the wall in the basement where she spent some time (maybe the holidays?)  hanging with her kin before realizing she preferred mealworms to crumbs.

And I'll include the OFFICIAL LIST below Mrs Tiggy for your perusal!

Thanks for following!

6x6 acrylic on wood

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AND the Official List!

30 Cats in 30 Days 2023

1- Mrs Tiggy WInkle for Carol G

2- Jiji for Carolyn and Brad

3- Teddy for Kathy F

4- Arthur for Amy R

5-Henry for Ellie K

6-Rizzi for Sandy B

7- Squeak for Ashley A

8- Leo and Oliver for Connie L

9- Toby for Julia for Carolyn BM 

10- Siris and Seth- Leslie P

11-  Aslan for Amy R

12- Merlin for Katherine S

13- Diego for Ashley A

14- Cleo for Katie B

15- Zazzle for Tini! 

16-Keely and Percy for Marcy W

17- Azula for Maureen M 

18- Vanya 6x6 Madeline’s for Carolyn BM

19- Ziva 6x6 Madeline's for Carolyn BM 

20- Phoebe for Laurie A

21- Karel for Karen D

22- Moon for Maggie J

23- Perkie for Paige T 

24-  Louis for Ann Vi

25- Harley for Sue A

26- Charlotte for Pat O

27- Gigi for Dyan W

28- Job for Margret L

29- Stella for Claudia P

30- Bella for Sophie

POSSIBLE 31 Fred for Robin w’s sis in law 6x6

Bugsy for Louann