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

Feb 27, Aslan

Aslan is a lion who lived at the Wild Cat Sanctuary to his old age, a few years ago, and I wanted to be sure and do him justice.  I don't think he was that old in this photo, but it never ceases to amaze me how elegant and superior some animals can be... maybe I mean regal, but that's the word that popped out.  The tilt of his head, and that crown of a mane, and those eyes looking down the length of his nose all contribute to the impression of royalty.  Even if it was the girls who took down the zebras and did all the work.  I like this one.

6x6 acrylic on panel, click HERE to purchase, for $75

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 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

sold

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