Feline Friday: Paper Moon

It's only a paper moon...

Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Harbinger

Tonight is the opening of Metazoa!  I, along with Zach Kestermann and Ryan Young, will have new works on display at Popp=d ART in Cincinnati. 

In honor of tonight, I'm delighted to share the finished painting, Harbinger, which is one of the pieces I completed for the show.  Happy Friday! 

METAZOA
New works by Geri Shields, Zach Kestermann and Ryan Young.


opening:
Friday, Apri 4, 2014
6-10pm
Popp=d ART
2622 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219

Harbinger, acrylic on canvas, 11"x14"    ©Geri Shields, 2014

Feline Friday: Progress

I'm still hard at work painting the night away in preparation for the upcoming show, Metazoa.  Below is an update of the painting based on the sketch I posted last week.  The background is mostly completed, but the colors on the cat are just blocked in.  I've still got a lot of work to do on this one.  And if you are asking yourself what the heck is going on in this piece, you'll have to wait til the show opening to get an explanation.  Trust me, though, it makes sense. 

And don't forget about Craft Menagerie happening tomorrow! Happy Friday!

©Geri Shields, 2014

Feline Friday: An Ode to the Fallen Cricket

Crickets!  Some way, some how crickets keep getting into the house.  But never fear, Mr. E is near!  I've haven't really experienced the hunting abilities of Mr. E.  Mostly, I think, he's too lazy to care, even if a bug crawls in front of his face or on his paw.  But there is just something about crickets, I guess.  Mr. F plays with them, but Mr. E gobbles them right up.  Just run's across the room and puts them in his mouth.  Sometimes he watches Mr. F playing with the insect, then snatches it up when Mr. F isn't looking.  It's a rarity that he chews his food, but he chomps crickets quite loudly.  CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH!  It's quite a spectacle to see him with insect legs sticking out of his mouth.  So far the count is 4, that I'm aware of.  Good kitty.  Poor crickets.  Happy Friday!

©Geri Shields, 2013

Feline Friday: Adventure Time?

Just a quick sketch of adventures to come.

©Geri Shields, 2013

Feline Friday: Bath Time

I can't decide which one to go with for my story book. 

copyright Geri Shields, 2013

 

Feline Friday: Heads Up

I'm still working out the kinks in the character sketches I posted a few weeks ago.  The cat went through some minor changes.  I've been working mainly on the face and a couple of expressions.  He's still in rough condition, but is looking little more streamlined.  Happy Friday!

copyright Geri Shields, 2013

Feline Friday: Because I Love You!

In time for Valentine's Day, I give you "Because I Love You!"  This piece is inspired by the many "gifts" I have received from my little furry coworker.  She means well, I think, but mostly the presents are a bit unpleasant.  If only she could learn to bring me a cupcake or coffee instead of the usual rodent.  At least I know she loves me, or I pretend that she does!

There are prints of this creepy yet adorable illustration in both the 8"x10" and 5"x7" sizes in my shop!  There's even a note card of it for you to give to your sweetie for Valentine's Day!  Head on over and check them out.  While you're there, check out the other cards available and newly added goodies, including the original painting of "Are You Ready to Bumble?"  More to come!  Happy Friday!

Because I Love You! - digital illustration     copyright Geri Shields, 2013

Because I Love You - note card     copyright Geri Shields, 2013

Out and About: A Little Bit of Sugar Update

The "Little Bit of Sugar" painting has been listed for sale through The Flying Cat's shop!  Here's your chance!  It could be yours!

A Little Bit of Sugar, acrylic on canvas, 10"x10"       copyright Geri Shields, 2012

Feline Friday: A Little Bit of Sugar

Just a little somethin' I'm working on for a group show coming up in October.  Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Experiments: Round 3

This edition is another version of my standard digital style.  This one has no outlines.  It looks quite a bit different form the other 2 I've already completed.  Having no heavy black outlines is the main reason, but I also fiddled with the value of the colors.  Without the black lines separating the colors, the cat seemed to disappear into the rug, especially when checking out the values in gray scale.  I did try making the shadows black, but didn't like how that looked, so I ended up making the colors of the rug less bold.  I think that really helped the cat to stand out.  I was trying to stick with 2 values per color (main color and shadow color), but I am interested to see what it would look like if there was a 3 or even 4th value added.  Maybe I'll try expanding on that soon.

 




































It's been fun to see the evolution of this image over the past 3 weeks.

I still want to try some things that I don't normally work with like adding textures and, gasp, digital painting.  Stayed tuned to see what transpires!

Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Experiments: Round 2

In retrospect, I think I should have started off this venture by completing the image how I normally do.  In order to play a little catch up, here's the piece using the more clean-lined approach I usually take when doing digital illustrations. 

Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Experiments: Round 1

You may recognize the image below from the sketch I posted last week.  I'm trying out some different techniques for completing illustrations to see which ones I would like to incorporate into my current repertoire.  This is round 1.  Over the next few weeks you'll be seeing this image a lot, with slight variations.  I figured to get a good idea of what techniques work well for me and how each affects the finished product I should stay with a common image and color palate.  At the end of my exploration, I'll line them all up and compare the results.  Feel free to let me know what you think of each edition along the way. 

I do have to thank Mr. E for inspiring the main image.  This is his signature pose during the long, warm days of summer.  He positions himself directly under the ceiling fan in the living room and lets the soft white fur on his stomach sway in the breeze.  Since the temperature has been quite high the last few weeks, I've been seeing this display with increasing frequency.

Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Big Rock Kitty Meowtain and the Crafty Supermarket!

I put the finishing touches on a new painting today, just in time to debut it at the Crafty Supermarket tomorrow, Saturday, May 5!  I'll be setting up shop there from 11-6.  It will be held at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3711 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio  45220.  Hope to see you there!  Until then, I give you the newest work, Big Rock Kitty Meowtain!  Yeah, it's totally dorky, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Happy Friday!

Big Rock Kitty Meowtain, acrylic on board, 8"x10"          copyright Geri Shields, 2012 

Feline Friday

I've been keeping up with Feline Friday pretty well, but at some point I do need to get around to posting the other things I draw.  Maybe I should start another weekly blog update just to keep myself sketching and posting, and you know, doing final pieces.  But, til I do actually do that, here's another little kitty for you to enjoy!  Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Bath Time!

Happy Friday!

Feline Friday

Last night I was trying to think up some ideas for some new paintings.  Because we all know that I love cats, I automatically started sketching them while trying to come up with other ideas.  Turns out I liked what I drew and maybe, just maybe, these mindless drawings are the start of a new series or two, involving cats, of course.  Yes, yes, I will eventually get back to creating other critters and characters.  Just hold tight.  

The first of these two images I ended up drawing while watching The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.  As you can see I was a little inspired by the period attire in the movie.  It also kind of reminds me of the intro to Cheers.  I don't know.  Maybe that's just me.  

In the second drawing I was just playing around with different kinds of collars.  She's wearing a peter pan collar with a little bow in the center .  I've been digging those a lot lately.  I do have a few that I wear on occasion.  

The weather this week has been very warm, but today it cooled off a bit and it did rain.  During one of the quick-to-pass showers, the "outdoor office cat" ventured into the office to escape the rain.  She made herself right at home in an unused part of the office.  Isn't she a doll!  

Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Bubbles

Mr. F has become fascinated with bubbles.  One of his favorite things to do is sit next to the sink during "dish time" and wait for bubbles to fly out of the soap bottle.  Seriously, every time one of us goes to do dishes, he inevitably pops up and doesn't leave til all the dishes are done and all the bubbles are gone.  What a guy!  Inspired by his newish obsession, I did some sketches of kitties and bubbles.

 

Here's a shot of my little guy with a bubble stuck on his ear.  He had no idea it was there.  Adorable!

And I'm posting this picture only because you can see Mr. E lurking creepily in the background, as he always does.

Happy Friday!

Feline Friday: Redo

I've mentioned before that I don't normally rework a painting, but it keeps happening lately.  Last month I finished a new flying cat painting and it was shown, along with the others in the series, at the Be Happy. Dammit show at the Museum Gallery/Gallery Museum.  While at the opening, I kept eying the new painting.  It was leaving me feeling unsettled.  The cat turned out more frightening than cute.  Now, I don't mind a bit of creepiness in my paintings from time to time, but it went far beyond that.  I don't know how I didn't see it before, or let it out of my hands without fixing it.  Anyway, I picked up the paintings from the gallery recently and FINALLY fixed the problem cat!  Man!  I feel so much better about it now!  Sorry to those of you that saw it prior to the redo.

Happy Friday!

Changes, acrylic on board, 8"x10"

Feline Friday

I recently completed a small painting of the sketch I shared last week.  It will be up for sale at my booth at Craft Menagerie at Arnold's Bar in Cincinnati.  I'll be at my booth from 11am-4pm.  Hope to see you there!

Happy Friday!

Cat Nap, acrylic on canvas, 6"x6"