10 X 10 Cover the World with Clay -- FIMO

Every time one of these opportunities comes along, I say "I WANT to do this and I WILL."  And then I don't.  I'm sure some of it is inertia, some wearing too many hats and not being particularly organized about it.  And some is my own shyness or reluctance when it comes to groups.  

SO, this Fiftieth celebration of FIMO and polymer clay was intriguing. An invitation to submit a 10x10 cm (about 4 inches) polymer clay tile.  These tiles will form an exhibit and will ultimately be sold to benefit two charitable efforts: One to aid children with heart disease, and one to aid indigenous women who produce art/craft items.

I almost "successfully" avoided it.  But on the very last day, lo and behold, a three day extension was declared.  It was the second extension and I thought...A SIGN.  So I decided to do it.  No excuses.

What to do?  As a painter I paint a LOT of cats, often blue since my interest is generally in "catness" as opposed to portraiture.  Other favorites include poppies and pears.  With polymer clay which I adore, partly because for some reason it permits me to take a much more abstract approach, I lean strongly toward mosaics, a long time love, but which, with clay, I find easier in terms of the technical stuff.  And lately I've been experimenting with metal leaf and alcohol inks. 

So, I took all that and made this, and while I see all manner of things I might tweak, I love him--his spirit.  As of this writing, he is on his way to Canada. 

Before making the above, I made the one below, but even though I like it very much, decided the mosaic wads much more expressive of everything I wanted to include. 

Materials were polymer clay, gold leaf, alcohol inks, a few metallic acrylic glazes (which is not as nice on big "cracks" as it can cloud the clay), and at the end 3 coats of PYM II. 

Howie's Afternoon Original Art

Howie, our ginger - creamsicle, loves everybody kitty, is very happy on this warm autumn day.  His sweetheart, our Queen Sophie Ann is just fine.  A mystery, probably one-time reaction to who knows what.  She's got her steroid shot, she's home, and Howie is delighted. 

The painting is a small work: 6 x 6 on gallery wrapped canvas. 

Sophie Got the Blues and Gave Them to Me ....

I started this little 6x6 painting this morning thinking I would celebrate our daytrip up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Galax and Floyd to see the beginning of The Fall, but "suddenly" everything began to turn to shades of blue and transparent swirls appeared. 
At first I thought I was doing some under painting, but then realized the cat in question had taken over and that it had to be our Sophie who has been a bit odd lately and has begun to worry us a bit. 

Sophie is blue, so so am I.

Evolution of Two Tuxedos

 

Two Tuxedos*    

Session 1-4 ...   12 x 10  Acrylic on canvas. 

Originally there were no flowers planned. I did develop the flowers--reds & roses, but after an overnight got rid of them. 
I also decided to use the following colors only: Napthol Red Light, Yellow Oxide, and Pthalo Blue.  The background was black gesso post-flower debacle, and the tiniest trace of Hansa Yellow Light, Ivory Black & Titanium White was used on their beautiful eyes.  White gesso was used for the whiskers.  It flows so nicely.  (I used acrylic white ink once--that was a disaster.  The stuff wiped right off)

By session 4 everything except my favorite part (eyes) and scariest (whiskers) was finished.
I generally add whiskers only when I feel it enhances the cats, not because of the scary (precision) factor but because they often add nothing for me. And they're scary to do. 

The second photo is (obviously, I hope) the finished piece.   I love this painting.  I love the way they fit together, and I love the way they watch you with their loving eyes.
I think their whiskers are pretty nifty too.

*title subject to change

Desert Cat

Finished him yesterday.  Now to ready to head West myself!  Shiprock, here I come!  

8x8 Acrylic on canvas

I don't know why it took me so long, but finally I've discovered the joy of acrylic ink for whiskers!

Charlie Blue - Signature Move

Our little Charlie, also known as our Spare Parts Kitty, once a very homely kitten we fostered along with his siblings, and who nobody wanted, has grown into himself over the past several years and is now absolutely adorable and I'm a fool for him.    (His sister Frida Kahlo of the startling monobrow, was adopted by a Frida devotee, and Oliver of the rusty black coat and strange eyebrow & whisker sprouts is still with us and has grown into a silky ebony beauty.)
That said, this is Charlie's signature pose that never fails to grab our attention and additional playtime, treats or smooches, which of course is why he does it.  And yes, much of the time Charlie wears that Worried Man look, though he truly isn't. 

This painting is 6x6, acrylic on canvas. 

Desert Cat -- prepping for Shiprock

The first scribble I did was this ... I am sure the desert-y look relates to our upcoming adventure West.  Those huge ears no doubt relate to the squirrel a Facebook friend has been sharing; the rest of the cat now looks to being on the way to being something of a sand cat, which of course, doesn't live in Four Corners region, but this is my art and I get to decide everything.... 



I'm guessing about 60% complete, possibly a wee bit more.  Acrylic on canvas 8x8.    If you'd like to scribble, you can Google "scribbler too".  Enjoy!

Ruffles compliments of Scribbler . . .

What great good fun!  Working on a painting "Desert Cat" I "sketched" with this little program ...   I'll post that when the painting gets a bit further on. 
In the meantime, here's Ruffles wearing her winter finery ...

Getting Back Into the Saddle ...

At least I hope so ...   Today I worked on a 6x6 bird piece  ,, 2d session* .. and when it was time to stop for the day, had enough paint on my palette to rough in Chuck.  I knew he was going to be next, but rarely have more than one at a time going.   A former art instructor, way back in time, was fierce about waste, so as much as possible, I try not to.  Not always easy with acrylics, particularly when working small scale. 
I'm hopeful here that these will both make the grade.   

 

*sessions particularly in winter are usually only a couple of hours...fingers & shoulder object too much otherwise most days.

I Got No Lap To Hold Me Blues

The second of the Saturday Scumble pieces. 

 "I Got No Lap to Hold Me Blues"   Those of us blessed with cats have all seen this look.  It's the one we get when they know we aren't going to invite them up,  OR when we've just set them down and they can tell what comes next does not involve food (for them).  

 



Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 4 inches.  Palette:  Cadmium Red Light and Medium, Yellow Oxide, Pthalo, Cerulean and Cobalt blue, Cobalt Violet; Ivory Black and Titanium Dioxide White. 

Did Someone Just Open the Refridgerator?

Charlie and Jake, ever hopeful, just about to start the grooming-to-slapping game, are suddenly alert to a sound which could mean yummies!

 



Acrylic on 5 x 7 stretched canvas.  Palette:  Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Red Medium, Yellow Oxide, Yellow-Orange Azo; Ivory Black; Titanium Dioxide. 

EIGHTEEN PATICAT NOTECARD COLLECTION

As suggested by several people, I will begin to offer selected collections.   This is one that was specifically requested.   Essentially 3 $20 sets for $52.00; postage in the US included.
However, while much of the country is freezing, it is a weird but warm 70-something outside, so that's where I'm off to for now.
Ciao!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/172020091/eighteen-different-cat-notecards-a?ref=shop_home_active

Choosing Six ...

Several friends and acquaintances have suggested or asked that I offer a choice in my notecards, so I spent the day setting up the first 18 to allow exactly that.  I like the idea because, since I print to order anyway, it isn't much more complicated to do this for people, and it will tell me over a few months which people respond to most.  I have dozens and dozens of cats so it's good to know.  
I really enjoy doing this, though I will admit I'm looking forward to getting back to creating new works on a steady basis. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/171846059/choose-your-mix-of-six-from-18-cat?ref=pr_shop

Oh Julius ... You've been a Long Time Coming ...

On Sunday, I completed the first painting I had done in about 3 years, and the first cat painting in perhaps 4.  It's not that I lost my love of or fascination with cats, it's that living with eight has given me a bit of that "Coals to Newcastle " syndrome.

So without further adieu, here is Oh, Julius a composite of six creamsicle-marmalade-gingers I have known over the past 25.  Three lived or are living with our son, two with us and one a darling rescue from New York who it seems, half the social networking country fell in love with.  

The painting is 5 x 7 inches, his eyes follow you, and he is very sweet.  I will keep him for a time as a talisman which I hope will encourage me to get back to painting on a regular basis, but may do a limited number full-sized prints on canvas. 

I've just added a new blank notecard to my Etsy shop (Pati Bannister).  It's titled "Sonny with Flowers" and is pretty charming, if I must say so myself.   

 

I'm also working on a Christmas card.  First painting in a long time.  Rusty, Rusty.  

Playing with Cats . . .

While waiting for my most recent cedar cigar box to cure for a total of almost three hours, I decided to play with cats.
I've only done one piece featuring a cat, but know that sooner or later I must find a way to add more of them to my clay work.
I think I will my hand at making some molds and see where, if anywhere that takes us (the cats and I) No matter what happens, or doesn't, this is fun!

Feeling art-starved at the moment...between excitement and trip to Boston to welcome our first grandchild, needing to help hubby with a few Furniture Market projects for his showroom and planning - setting up garden I've made nothing for several weeks.
A Flickr contact posted this from a site which as a lot of cat art inspired by famous paintings, and I fell in love with it...isn't she wonderful!
I've been missing painting for awhile and might have to see what I can do about that...so many ideas so little time.
Sometimes it's bewildering.