Brutus - Finished

"Brutus"
9X12
Oil on Linen Panel

Commissioned
Click on picture to enlarge the view.

I used to have cats. Over the years I gave homes to Spooky, Muffin, Ruffles, Levi, Alfalfa, and Oliver. That was the first half of my adult life. Then I went to the dogs...pun intended!! (the dogs: Harrison, Bailey, and now Bosley.) LOL Anyway, I love our furry little friends and love to celebrate the joy they give to us!!! On Thanksgiving that is one of the things for which I am grateful!

So here is Brutus, a fun-loving cutie pie whose family loves him! I had a great time with this painting. The challenge was to make Brutus "pop" on the fabric designs of the chair and ottoman. But that was also what makes the painting interesting to me...that and the adorable pose with his left paw reaching toward the viewer and the light falling across his adorable nose. I want to feel as if I could just reach over and pet him or pick him up. At least that is what I wanted to convey. I hope he is as happy as he made me feel while painting him!!!

On to the next thing...stayed tuned!!

Brutus - Work in Progress - Stage 3

"Brutus - Work in Progress - Stage 3"
9X12
Oil on Linen

Commissioned

Still working on Brutus' fur, but I have finished the chair and ottoman upholstery and background for the most part. Now the fun begins to give his fur all the characteristics I can muster and make him "pop!"

Brutus - Work in Progress - Stage 2

"Brutus" - Work in Progress
9X12
Oil on Linen Panel

Commissioned

I spent several hours this afternoon, most of it on that adorable face. He's coming along. Cutest eyes and nose any cat ever had!! :-)
More tomorrow...
Thanks for visiting!

Brutus - Work in Progress

"Brutus - Work in Progress"
9X12
Oil on Linen Panel

Commissioned

Some projects are just too fun ...and this is definitely one of them. The owner of this adorable fellow sent me several pictures from which to choose. All of the pictures were great, fun, cute, and showed the personality of this guy so well that I just fell in love with him. Suffice it to say that Brutus goes wherever he wants to go...into the potted plants, sitting on all of the pillows, perched on the owner's shoulder, etc. But this was the pose I like the most for his portrait. I also chose it for the color combination against his soft grey and white fur. He has the cutest smile and owns his realm, that is for sure. So anyway, here is the beginning of his painting. There is a long way to go, but I thought you might like to see a preliminary stage.

Freedom and an Interesting Cat

Photo of Speedo


The other day I was doing a myriad of things while my mind was racing away on; what to paint next, weeding the garden, thinking about my son and family who are about to move to Korea for two years, worrying over my husband's recent knee surgery, and preparing for a medical procedure I am about to have tomorrow, among many other things. After coming in from the garden I used a few moments of rest to sit down and look around at other artist's websites, something I often do to stay inspired and connected. This is the mental trail I took.... if you can follow my convoluted thought process.

The painting.... Speedo the rascal adopted cat belongs to my son who is a Major in the US Air Force. Speedo was a feral cat my son rescued about four years ago from the animal shelter in Goldsboro, NC, close to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Speedo loves freedom and is very vocal about it. My son loves freedom and works every day to secure ours. My son and his family are heading to Korea soon. Speedo is about to embark on this trip to Korea and I am hoping the flight won't be too traumatic for him and that he will like Korean cat food...and can make the adjustment O.K. The trip to Korea is for a very good cause, keeping us secure to enjoy our freedom.

So then, as I was looking around, I came across a blog by another artist, whose work I keep up with, named David R. Darrow. That is the link to his art site. His blog, however, is about various other things he shares with the rest of us. The particular post I found was about Russian immigrants who also love freedom. Their story is compelling and David tells it well. It hit home with me because I think so many people in this country have forgotten what freedom is, don't care about it, and do many things to undermine it. It's an election year and much is at stake, freedom being the most dear. If you are an artist in America, freedom is your ticket. Freedom is the reason any of us can do what we do. Too many freedoms have been lost and more will be lost if you choose to vote for Marxists / socialists/ leftists. And so I hope you will click on this linkLearning from Commies and go read David's account of the Russian immigrants. Remember this story when you are thinking about your vote this year. Please remember that limited government means liberty!