March 31, Monica's Island Cat

I couldn't stop myself from adding one more cat... 

This cat hangs out on an island in the Florida Keys just off the Seven Mile Bridge- Molasses Key is owned by our friends Monica and Frank, and we've been lucky enough to spend an afternoon out there several years ago. We need to get out butts back out there! They have been working really hard to reintroduce native plants and get it back into shape after a hurricane nearly split it in half.  They have a yurt out there and a houseboat, and are acting as caretakers of the wildlife and flora and fauna that call their little habitat a home.

Lucky cat! I'm sure they aren't allowed to mess with the birds!

6x6 acrylic on wood

$150

click here!

March 30, Miss Gracie!

 This is Gracie, and Karla sent her in because she has such a sweet silly face and because we all need more of that kind of thing these days! Sweet and silly, the way to go~

Or at the very least, take a breath, be calm, and think what your cat or dog would want you to do...

Yep~

6x6 acrylic on wood

$150

click here!

March 29, Larry Bird!

 This is Larry Bird!  Here's what Lissa wrote about her!

This is our munchkin: Larry Bird aka: Birdie, Birdie Boo, Birds!!!

She also came off the Rez as a singleton kitten who desperately needed a bath. I didn’t want to scare her with a hair dryer and since this was my first long haired cat, I wasn’t sure how long her fur would take to completely dry. So, I wrapped her in a small afghan and cradled her for two hours that first full day. She fell asleep in my arms making biscuits in my armpits and that was that. We foster failed within 24 hours even though our zoo was “closed”...

He is so loving and so sassy and funny. Definitely has tortitude! And she is 100 percent my cat. She makes me laugh and smile every day as well as shake my head. Her paws are so round and stubby they look like Choppers. She sleeps next to me every night and wakes me up every morning with her sweet little mew.

6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 28, Tinsel Frankie!

 And here is the other tinsel cat!  Seriously, most of what I paint is the LIGHT!!  Can you see that with this guy? SO much light!  Tinsel never occurred to me to be an interesting thing to paint...

Whadaya know?!  SO much fun stuff out there to paint!

Speaking of which, I've got a new session of Paint Love starting in April!  More info HERE!

Loving the spring weather around here!

6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 27, Tinsel Sophie!

This is another one I just had to paint... I think I was able to capture that look in her eye too, of popping through the tinsel frame - she's just so wide eyed!  And her eyes are so clear and shiny!

Aw, kittens!

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 26, Hammet in his Hat

 And here is Hammet!  In one of his many hats!  Robin knits these for him (or maybe crochets? I know she's a mad knitter!) and she says he doesn't mind wearing them at all, as long as there is something for him to look at out the window...

Here's what Robin wrote!

Hammett has the amazing ability to smile (sometimes) when he is wearing a hat.  This trait fits with his easy going nature and the ability to put a smile on the faces of his owners every day.  One of his many nicknames is “Happy Hammett” which is true, except when there is a thunderstorm or sometimes when he is wearing hat.

Rising star and hat model, Hammett, was honored yesterday with a portrait capturing his trademark pose "looking out a window at a bird".  He was not present at the unveiling, since he was napping. 

When he is not modeling hats or napping, he is generally hanging out with his brother, Chandler.  

6x6 acrylic on wood

$150

click here!

March 25, Gennae's Cute Siamese Kitten!

 Okay, you can see why I had to paint this kitten...

I've painted a few of Gennae's cats already, and I may have painted this little bean at some point further in his or her growth, but dadgum it!  What a cute little nutter!

And thank you everyone who reads this closely!  I do actually have enough cats for this month- what I meant was I am running out of days in the month of March to paint cats! There's only 5 left!!

And here's the list of the last 5 cats-

March 26- Hammet in a HAT
March 27- Frankie in Tinsel for Sandy
March 28- Sophie in Tinsel for Sandy
March 29- Tommy Lee for Lissa and Jesse
March 30- Miss Gracie for Kara

I am also always taking on commissions if you're interested! XOXO

    

6x6 acrylic on wood

$150

click here!

March 24, Ragnorak!

 Yes, this fella lives with Loki and Odin, I believe. Makes sense, doesn't it?

And we will be having a show of all the cats at Diamond's Coffee Shoppe for the month of April! With a Closing Party on Sunday April 27th from 2 to 4pm!

I'm running out of cats!

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold~

March 23, Sunday at Sea

 This is Sunday. Sunday is an adventurous cat. I've painted Sunday in her box in the galaxy of stars, and now she is at sea, with a kraaken feeling her out. She seems safe in her cardboard box, though, and I'm sure she'll have many more adventures!

Possibly in the same box!

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 22, Dolce for Sally

 This is Dolce! She is 21 years young- and she lives out in San Jose, enjoying the good life. We like this image because she looks like she is smiling...

And if you happen to be out in Santa Cruz this spring, this show that Sally curated just opened at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History! I wish I could go!  Let me know if you do!

HOWL: the Art & History of Pets~

6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 21, Perkie and Pixel

 Here's a sweet pair of kittens- Perkie and Pixel, and here's what Paige sent!

Pixel in the back and Perkie in the front. Paige want sure if Pixel would take to kitten Perkie two years ago. But they get along well enough to be photographer together. 

Perkie loves his red pipecleaners that he brings to Paige to play fetch with. He loves to play fetch late at night and early I'm the morning.

Pixel is in double digits now and he is the best purr machine ever. And Pixel is a good grumpy Dad too Perkie. 

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 20, Odin

 And this is Odin, who happens to be Loki's brother, which makes sense. And I love how he looks so much more regal and like a god than Loki does in his painting- Loki looks like a trickster!

I have to admit again that these month-long projects are such a great time for me. I appreciate the comments and posts, and I love feeling more connected to you all out there. I'm up in Grand Marais and went swimming at the YMCA this morning and remembered my first and most patient swimming teacher, Pete Kelzenberg, who worked with me slowly and gently to help me overcome my fears of swimming, and how his guidance led me to become a swimming teacher myself, which led to me becoming a teacher in schools.... and so I looked him up and I think I found him and I sent a thank you note. I'm trying to consciously reach out and make that connection when I think of it, you know what I mean?

Life is too short, and we need each other, my friends!  Thank you!

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 19, Josie!

 And this is Josie!  Man, I've been painting later in the day up here!  I'm in Grand Marais this week, at the Art Colony for an Art Residency and I'm painting otters and beavers and cats, and sometimes the cats get pushed aside... though Josie held her own!

This is my cousin's cat, and she said the photo this painting is based on is the one that made her husband want to adopt Josie. Isn't she great?  I love that lifted paw~

16x12 acrylic on wood

sold~

March 18, Rocket!

I think you'll understand why I had to paint this cat. Actually, I may paint him again a couple more times just because those eyes are SO green and there's incredible presence in his entire being. 

And of course the name doesn't hurt either!  I have known a couple cats named Rocket, and this was even before Guardians of the Galaxy!

I know he belongs to Charlotte and Cora, and I'll see if I can get a story...

Seriously, those EYES.....

12x6 acrylic on wood

$250

click here!

 

3/17 Tommy Toes

 Aw, this one feels like he would have had a great Irish wake~ once you read what Ashley says, you'll get what I mean~

Oh my Tom Tom. Tommy the cat. Baby boy. Tommy toes (Toe más). Our lil space cadet.  My soul cat. 

You have been a constant cuddly companion since the day you joined us 4 years ago. If I’m having a bad day, you’re immediately on my lap. Working at home, you’re almost always sleeping on or near me… Until I join a call and then you instinctually wake up to holler at the water bowl in the background (“”Hiiii everyone!”). 

A spry 13 years old when you joined our family, you were always climbing all over us, sleeping on Dylan’s pillow (or head) and then on my shoulder / in between us, playing with the lil lady you’ve known the longest (Tonkers), begging for food, and loving on anyone who came by to visit. We got your health issues stabilized and you had a great stretch of time enjoying all life has to offer - cheese, catnip, yeowww cat toys, allll the cuddles and naps, sweaters (the only cat I’ve known that clearly enjoys wearing pet clothes), cream cheese frosting and many other treats, supervised backyard wandering, French fries, travels to our parents homes, the list could go on.

And now we have to say “so long” to our polydactyl, sweet-as-can-be, “big cat”. I sure wish we had more time with you buddy. We’ve loved every minute we got. 

Tommy Toes 8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for~

March 16 Morgana

 This sweet kitten lives up in the far north, and is the newest love of someone whose cat I painted in 2023, the beautiful Aslan-

I love the names people give their pets. Morgana seems an Arthurian reference if I remember my British legends correctly, which reminds me of the series of children's books, The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper, that I found last holiday season and which has deep Arthurian connections if that's something that interests you! I liked them a lot, feeling a bit like the Narnian series. Heroic books feel necessary right now...

I think I've mentioned how much I love painting black animals and this is no exception!

6x6 acrylic on wood

sold

March 15, Coya

 And this is Coya!

Chrissy sent me this image, and then their fiance wanted to send other images of Coya that they liked better, but I still think this is the best one. That straightforward gaze, those green eyes and pink nose!

What more could you ask for in a sweet cat?

Here's what Brooke wrote about Coya!
Brooke and Chris had started looking for a kitten in summer 2020 to be a companion to their cat since everyone was going to go back to work in person soon (ha!) At the time, the Animal Humane Society required appointments to see specific animals and they had struck out time after time until a little brown and white kitten popped up. Her description and the volunteers warned that she was very shy and timid - but the moment she was in Brooke’s arms, she started purring (and she’s barely stopped since). Coya has become the sweetest and silliest cat, and she is able to convert most cat skeptics to her side with a single game of fetch.”

Coya, 6x6 acrylic on wood

SOLD!

March 14, Mia!

  My friends Carolyn and Brad are great patrons and cat lovers, and find several beautiful cats for me to paint each year for their family. Mia is one of those!  Here is what I am told about Mia~

Mia lives with Molly and Trudy 

She is 17 years old 

Molly recently met Mia at the same rescue center where she had previously met and adopted Trudy 

Due to their uncanny resemblance, Molly decided that Mia could be Trudy’s actual mother , so of course , they had to adopt her too...

It turns out that she often had the energy of a kitten...

Now they all live happily together with Satchel coming to join in the love-fest ~

I LOVE Mia's eyes!

8x8 acrylic on wood

sold

March 13, Stellaluna

 Stellaluna is the new rescue kitty belonging to my friend and studio-mate Kat!  here's what Kat says about her-

"She has been with us about a month now and we are totally in Love! We think she's about a year old. She loves to be wherever we are and it a perfect mix of cuddle sweetness and crazy playfulness. Her favorite game is fetch!"

6X6 Acylic on wood

$150

click here for purchase info!

March 12, Loki!

 This is Loki, and I loved the photo this was painted from because Loki is sprawled over what I believe is a red ottoman, his arms wide and his face flopped forward with an undeniably impish look on his face!

Just amazing- and I would imagine he's as much an imp as he looks...

6x6 acrylic on wood

$150

click here for purchase info~

March 11, Jilly!

 This is Jilly, and I love her story, as written by her new owner Kelly! I love the description "round and sassy"!

This has been a rough year, as we lost our dear cats Tori and Oreo over the summer. But a few weeks ago, we brought in Jill! A friend of our’s mother passed away, and they needed to find a home for her cat, eight-year-old Jilly. We decided to bring her on board. She’s very round and sassy. She does not like our resident cat, Bugsy, but they’ll just have to coexist. She’s still finding her way, and I know she misses her mom. But we love her and hope everything will work out. 

Jilly, 6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 10, Mica for Jen and Joel!

 THIS was a fun one for sure- so much color in there! Russian Blues have a LOT of shades in their coats-

Tho now that I'm seeing the painting on my screen, I'm realizing I need to pop the color of the purple background a little, since it too closely matches Mica's amazing coat~

And this is what Jen says about Mica~

This is a memorial commission for a rescue Russian Blue kitty who had a penchant for stealing seats and going for walks on a leash in the garden. She was a champion lap sitter and the best at-home working buddy a person could ask for. We named her Mica because her generally gray fur and warm eyes shifted tone and hue in the light, like flakes of the mineral mica.

Mica, 8x8 Acrylic on wood

sold

March 9, Frank!

 This is Frank, a green-eyed beauty whose owner says this about him...

He is an 8 year old equal parts angel and devil. There is never a dull moment when Frank is around!

I LOVE that kind of understanding of your cat!

Frank, 6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 8, Tango!

 This is Tango! He lives with my sis-in-law and her family, and we are so happy for them!  My niece has been wanting a pet for a LOOOOOONG time, and finally wore her parents down. Dad is allergic, but has been willing to give it a try as long as he has a cat-free zone to escape to. So Tango came home and mostly lived in my niece's room and he is now all over the place and everyone in the household is completely in love~

How could you resist this creature?

Tango, 10x8 acrylic on wood

NFS

March 7, Dan Da Lion!

 This was another fun one to paint, and I was able to get up early enough to finish him on time today! Yay!

And it's sunny, and the snow is melting but its still cold, which feels more right than no snow in March in Minnesota-

Here is Dan's story!

Dan da lion was a cream colored Siberian with a gorgeous mane 

After Kasia joined Beth and Tom ‘s family, Tom said ‘ I want my own Siberian cat’

Dan joined the family , and thanks to Tom and Beth , his twin brother Fast Eddie moved in next door

After Tom passed away, Dan devoted himself to Beth for the rest of his life ~

Dan da Lion, acrylic on wood

sold

March 6, Jasper for Mary

 Ah, this one is Jasper, who belonged to Mary, who will be sending me his story for the book soon- 

I have to admit I am pleased with myself for being able to get these done and posted each day, so far...  because I have been so distracted and distressed with the world and the next big problem and what I can do about it. Having these paintings to work on is really comforting for me. 

And another comfort is PBS kids- 

Just saying!  I don't intend these posts to be political, but these days it feels like just living is a political act, and so last night after celebrating Duane's birthday at Vivir in Northeast (excellent tacos people!) we came home and I had a little work to do so we put on PBS kids, free public tv, and some of our families favorite background noise, if you know what I mean, and I blundered across "Brambletown"- Directed and animated by Eric Power (whose work I love, from Cloud Cult and Jeremy Messersmith videos!) and with original music by the Okee Dokee Brothers it made me cry and made my night and made me love Minnesota even more-  people, we NEED these videos, these stations, these emotions!  We need to be children and be simple and just love and want to be with others too~

Okay, enough of my soap box!  Just support your local public radio and television and all that!  Think of the people who can't afford cable or internet and this is who you are helping to connect to the world.

You are doing a great job!

Jasper, acrylic on wood, 8x8

sold

March 5, Smokey

 Oh this is such a beautiful cat! I worked a long time on this one, which is why it is a little late, plus we had 7 inches of snow fall and I still had to get to work...

So here's what Jen wrote about this beautiful creature, who has had something of a tragic life already...

I didn't tell you the whole story about Smokey.  His first owner was a farmer and he was left behind when he died.  My brother then took him and he was the light of his life.  Unfortunately, my brother passed nearly 3 years ago.  Thats' when Sam, my nephew took him.  Sam passes two years ago, and now he belongs to my nephew's girlfriend. 

Smokey, 6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for~

March 4, Kasia for Beth

 I have some patrons who are particularly faithful to this project, and Carolyn and Brad are the best. This is a cat they commissioned for their friend Beth, and this is what Carolyn wrote~

Kasia was a stunning gray Siberian 

After Lupita passed away, Beth wanted another gray cat so Tom found Kasia for her.

Kasia was exceptionally beautiful, kind and smart

She was the first Siberian we knew

Friends and family were so impressed by her.

Kasia’s Legacy : 12 Siberian cats joined households of our community ~

Kasia, 8x8 acrylic on wood

sold

March 3, Timmy for Melissa and Jen!

 Okay, so they don't know I'm painting this for them, but my sister Beaner asked me to, and so I did- Melissa and Jen are her great friends in Duluth and I met them a couple years ago when I was stuck at Beaner's house in Duluth on my way up to Grand Marais for a Solo Art Residency at the Art Colony and there was a winter storm and everything was super icy and I was afraid to leave until the next morning.

And this is just the most adorable cat, ever!  I think Timmy is a female, and I always love that sense of humor in naming critters like that~

And thanks for following!

Timmy! 6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

March 2, Emmett!

 This is Emmett, who lived with Julie, who i believe walks dogs for people and knows animals pretty well. I'm hoping for some sweet words from her soon for this lovely creature, because he sure deserves some kind of a story with a face like this and a name like that!

I do need to check in with Julie too, because I'm not 100 percent sure his eyes were green... they may be more gold so I might need to step back in there...

And I'm sorry to be so late posting today!  My intention is to post right away in the morning but I had to spend some time today getting organized and it took longer than I intended, and then I had to go on a lovely long walk with a beloved best friend, and that took some time too, so here we are!

Oh and the Official List has more adjustments! I'll include it below again-

THank you!

Emmett acrylic on wood, 6x6

spoken for!

30 Cats in 30 Days March 2025

1- Pipin for Duane 6x6

2- Emmett for Julie O, 6x6 Comm

3- Timmy for Melissa and Jen 6x6

4- Kasia for Beth 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

5- Smokey for Julie O 6x6

6- Jasper for Mary H 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

7- Dan, Fast Eddie’s Twin for Beth 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

8- Tango for the Malamens! 8x10

9- Loki for Julie Olson 6x6

10- Mica for Jen and Joel 8x8 COMM

11- Jilly for Kelly E 6x6 COMM

12-Odin for Julie O 6x6

13- Ragnarok for Julie O 6x6

14- Mia for Molly 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

15-Coya for Chrissy 8x8

16- Rag Doll Kitten for Laura 8x8

17- Tommy Toes for Ashley 8x8 COMM

18- Rocket for Charlotte and Cora- For Trish

19- Josie for Marcia 20x16 COMM

20-Lily for Jennifer L

21- Miss Gracie for Kara L

22- Camilles friends cat

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30 Cats in 30 Days Starts NOW! with PIPPIN PIPER MCGEE!

 Wahoo!

It's a beautiful sunny brisk 13 degrees today, and Pippin is the first cat of this year because she is our new kitten and we are all absolutely enamored with her! She is spunky, brave, silly and sweet and fits right in with the crazy pups and large active 16 year old~ 

And I do still have some space left in the month if you're suddenly realizing you have a cat that needs to be painted... 

I love these month-long projects because they force me to up my game, to make sure I'm getting in the habit of painting every day. It's just a great way to kick myself in the butt and get working, and I also jive with the community aspect of knowing YOU all are keeping an eye on my progress too! 

SO help me out and let me know how I'm doing!

The OFFICIAL LIST is at the end here, and I'll update it as I go!  It's already been updated twice since I posted it yesterday!

6x6 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

30 Cats in 30 Days March 2025

1- Pipin for Duane 6x6

2- Emmett for Julie Olson, 6x6 Comm

3- Timmy for Melissa and Jen 6x6

4- Kasia for Beth 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

5- Lily for Jennifer LeClaire

6- Jasper for Mary H 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

7- Dan, Fast Eddie’s Twin for Beth 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

8- Tango for the Malamens!

9- Miss Gracie for Kara L

10- Mica for Jen Christiansen 8x8 COMM

11- Jilly for Kelly Everding 6x6 COMM

12- Fritz for Colin

13- Fattoush for Us

14- Mia for Molly 8x8 COMM (Carolyn and Brad)

15-Coya for Chrissy

16- Rag Doll Kitten for Laura

17- Tommy Toes for Ashley 8x8 COMM

18- Rocket for Charlotte and Cora- For Trish

19- Josie for Marcia 20x16 COMM

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