Feline Friday

I'm working on a new addition to my ongoing flying kitties series.  I started the painting last night.  Below is a rough sketch for the new piece, and yes, the cat is wearing a bow tie.  I'm excited about that little detail.  Happy Friday!

Mission Completed: Inside Recess

Per Eric's request, here is the Inside Recess shirt design that I did for him.  This was completed well before Christmas, but since it was suppose to be a surprise, it was kept secret til then.  I'm just now getting around to sharing it with you.  Sorry for such a long delay in the unveiling.  It turned out WAY better than I was hoping.  Yay me!

P.S. - if you have one of these "limited edition" shirts, send me a pic of you sportin' this bad boy, that is, if you wouldn't mind me posting the pics on the blog.

Out and About: New Merch and Show

My little fox and octopus note cards (posted here) are now available at Fabricate!  If you're in the area, stop in and check 'em out.

In other news, I will be showing some pieces in a group show at the Museum Gallery/Gallery Museum in February.  The show, Be Happy. Dammit., will be having it's opening reception on Friday, February 4, 2012 from 7pm-10pm.  The gallery is located at 2161 Central Avenue, Cincinnati, OH  45202.  Check here for more details.  It should be a swell time, so mark your calendars!

-G

Feline Friday

Last night I was sitting, contemplating what to draw, for what seemed to be an endless amount of time.  Nothing came to mind.  It had become that hour before feeding when Mr. E is at his most insistent.  He had positioned himself on the trunk in front of me and began his stare.  I mentioned this a few weeks ago when I completed a cartoon of Mr. E doing this exact thing.  He became like a statue, unblinking and motionless, and I figured if he was going to do this, and be here for this long hour, I might as well put the circumstance to some use.  I began sketching.  I mean, really sketching, not doodling.  It's been a while since I've done any realistic drawing and found it kind of freeing.  I started with his eyes since I have always found them to be intense.  He turned out to be a perfect model, with only an occasional meow interrupting the stillness of his pose.  I'm quite rusty at "sketching," it seems, but I do think I got a fairly good likeness of my little companion, especially in the eyes and nose.  Below is a detail of the sketch.  Happy Friday!

Mr. E

Feline Friday

For those of you that don't know, I currently have a furry office companion named Marlo.  I briefly mentioned her in this post while discussing the painting "Don't Stop."  She's a little gray stripey stray cat that lives in a makeshift "cat house" on the side of the office building where I work.  At the moment I cannot remember when she first showed up, but I do remember it snowing.  Since it is currently snowing outside, I'd say we've been acquainted for a year, or a little less.  It was awkward at first.  She was living under a shed at the back of the parking lot, but with my persistence and attention, she eventually warmed up to me and we have since become good friends.  To my surprise, my boss gave the ok to let her come inside.  That too was a bit of a struggle at first.  Marlo was hesitant, but now is a welcomed guest in my office each day that I am here.  I do have to put her back outside at the end of the day, but she does get to warm up inside and eat a good meal during the day.  I, with the help of some wonderful ladies, have put together a little insulated house on the side of the building.  I think she is comfortable there.  At least I know she has a somewhat safe place to stay at night.

Since coming into my life, I have become very close with Marlo and would love to make her a new addition to my household, but alas, I still rent and am at the cat limit for the apartment.  Although I adore having her at my desk during the week, I have been trying endlessly to find her a permanent and loving home.  I do have one lead right now.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

The other day I did purchase a little bed for Marlo.  I felt bad that she didn't have any real comfy place to sleep on my desk.  I brought it to work yesterday.  After her breakfast, Marlo went to investigate the new bed.  She settled right in!  So, for this Feline Friday, I'm finally introducing you to my wonderful office mate, Marlo, testing out her new bed!

Marlo, mid yawn.

Shop Update: Valentine's Note Cards!

I now have blank note cards featuring two of my lovely illustrations available in my shop!  It's about time.  Here's a peek.

Mission Completed: Valentine

This is my first official piece of the new year!  Simple and cute.  Just the way I like it.  Prints are available in my shop.  Cards to come soon!

Feline Friday...on Saturday

I've decided to add a new weekly post to the blog to help keep myself in the habit of posting.  During the holidays I get a bit distracted and neglectful of both my creativity and this site.  The new feature will hopefully remedy this.  I can't promise that I won't miss a day now and then.  I mean, I am starting the first post a day late, but I will try my best to keep it up.  I'm currently feeling under the weather and I did not manage to get the post completed yesterday, so I'm finishing now.  Better late than never.  Next week I will hopefully be feeling better and back on track.

Anyway, every Friday I plan on posting a painting, digital illustration, photo or quick doodle that in some way involves a cat.  This week I have a little drawing featuring my cat Mr. E to share with you.  I had to pick up his food after work on Friday.  Instead of just writing a note to help me remember this errand, I drew a picture of Mr. E with the "death stare" on his face.  I sat the drawing on my desk so he could glare at me all day.  The trick worked like a charm and I promptly picked up his food on the way home.

Mr. E's death stare:
About an hour before feeding time Mr. E situates himself directly in front of me, no matter where I am in the house, and just stares at me.  Seriously.  He doesn't blink.  Try winding down after a day at work with a giant black cat staring at you with it's pupils fully dilated, not moving, not blinking, occasionally howling at you.  It's a little unsettling, but I love the big, little guy!  He doesn't stop until I move toward the kitchen and open the cabinet containing his beloved food.

I guess I should explain the flame on his tail.  In the past month he has managed to catch the tip of his tail on fire, twice.  He's fine.  His tail is never aflame for more than a second or two and his fur is so long that he doesn't even notice that it's on fire.  His only injury is a small clump of slightly singed fur.  He is apparently unaware of the activity of his tail.  I am now extremely careful of where I place candles, and very aware of the whereabouts of Mr. E while they are lit.

Hope you enjoyed the first installment of Feline Friday, even if it is on the wrong day.  Remember to check back next week!