Floral with Cat oil painting

Floral with Cat  Oil on cradled wood  10" x 10"  $299.

Very happy with this one.

Full Stretch striped cat in mid stretch on floral

Full Stretch  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  NFS

Looks like an invitation, right?  Proceed with caution, petting this spotted belly can elicit a sleepy snuggle or a bloody brawl.  She's unpredictable like that.

Rusty "traumatic & offensive" lessons in painting

Rusty  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

I was impatient with this cat painting.  I had skipped middle tones, painted details too soon and made a fussy mess.  Feeling frustrated, I remembered a series of demos an instructor had given years ago.   He used to take a big brush and obliterate all details in a chosen student's painting...  He did it to demonstrate the virtues of correct values and big shapes.  At the time, it seemed both traumatic and offensive.  I realize now it made a lasting and worthwhile impression.  So, I took out my big girl brush and started "simplifying."  ...  Can't say I'm thrilled with the final painting, satisfied yes, definitely.  (:

Gimme Three Steps painting of skittish cat on floral

Gimme Three Steps  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

Classic Coco cat, ready to run.  "Three steps towards the door" is all he needs.

Golden Gray oil painting of cat on scroll pattern

Golden Gray  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6" SOLD

I spent most of yesterday preparing for the tax lady.  It was mostly dreadful.  My system for keeping track of stuff is less than stellar.  There was a silver lining though, I discovered that my online/blog sales went up by 31% in 2011.  I'd like to think my paintings got that much better... but suspect it's more likely a combination of things ...not the least of which includes painting more cats. (:

Berry Coco Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

This painting has a lot of glare on it, will try to re-photograph later!

Chikaboita painting of half siamese cat pet portrait

Chikaboita  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 8"  SOLD

This lovely creature is named Chick-uh-bo-EET-uh.  I always wanted to paint a cat with blue eyes and this one was a pleasure.

Cheap Joe's 2012 Catalogue

So, my dear Mother called me today and asked me if I knew about my painting in the Cheap Joe's catalogue!  Say what?!  I've had the catalogue on my coffee table for more than a week...and never even looked at it. Of course, I went tearing downstairs to the livingroom, not unlike I was on fire.  Yes, indeedy they published a picture of "Irises and Duck" in the Customer Art section, so cool!!  I had sent them some images of my work (ages ago) hoping something like this might happen--  You just never know what's gonna pan out.  Had my Mother not spotted it though, I might never have known!!  Thanks, Mom!  ...and thanks Cheap Joe's for showcasing my painting.  (Also pictured, art by Michele DeSutter)   

Poppies on Pattern painting of yellow red flowers

Poppies on Pattern I & II  Oil on cradled wood  each 8" x 8" NFS

Combining patterns with cats has lead to trying a few poppies on pattern.  I'm really happy with these and will probably try a few more soon! 
On a side note, the 22nd Annual Berea Arts Fest in Berea, OH is approaching and vendor applications are being taken!  I participated in the Art Walk last year (had a great time and sold a few paintings too) -- they used a picture of me on the website, apply to exhibit and see my picture, here. 

Green Eyes striped cat on yellow floral background

Green Eyes  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

Here's a painting of Layla the cat, striking a sphinx-like pose.  She's good at that.  I spent a few days last week doing business stuff.  Whenever I don't have actual paintings to "account" for my time, it always feels like nothing got accomplished.   So, it was good to get in the studio this morning! 
In other news, Lori McNee has published one of my Mull it Over Monday posts, "Top Five Tips for Daily Painters."  Lori's site is a great resource for artists, please have a look at my tips, here.

Tuesday Coco gray cat on yellow gray pattern

Tuesday Coco  Oil on cradled wood  12" x 12"  $380.

Back in Time striped cat on art nouveau pattern

Back in Time  Oil on cradled wood  12" x 12"  NFS

Last week I took a hard look at the calendar and realized time was a flyin'.  I have some exhibit opportunities fast approaching and the biggest painting I've created this year measures just 6" x 8".  Not so good.  Good for blogging  ...but not so good for juried competitions and galleries.   So, here's my attempt at a large(r) painting.  I totally love it and I remember why painting bigger is so much fun and oh-so challenging.  More soon, hopefully.