Illustration Friday- Cats

I couldn’t have picked a better topic! I actually own a 12 year old black kitty named Sloopy who is often the subject of many a drawing, photo or painting. She has been through a lot in her 12 years. First, discovered by a friend in a dark alley as a kitten, then passed around between friends and family for 6 years before finally making our home her permanent residence 6 years ago. Even in our very comfortable home, she doesn’t quite live the life she’d like. The first two years we had her, she reigned queen of our home. With the later addition of two little boys, she has found that she’s been demoted just a little. And in her old age, she is finding herself being chased around by a 4 year old and her tail pulled by an eleven month old. Yes, life for her is rough.

The first painting is of her protecting her cushioned throne. Notice how her claws cling onto the velvet red fabric. The following painting was done for a good friend of mine who lives in southern Arizona. He gave Sloopy her name and was the first of many to give Sloopy a home. I gave this painting to him for Christmas. It was hard to let it go.
10Cat-sloopy.jpg
southwestern kitty.jpg
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35 Responses to Illustration Friday- Cats

  1. Geninne says:

    Loved your illos, specially the one of the cat on the couch, the colors are amazing, very Santa Fe.

  2. Caroline says:

    I really love the picture of the kitty in a chair! Very nice!

  3. shoofly says:

    funny….growing up, a friend of mine only named her dogs ‘sloopy.’ i think it was some sort of family tradition, cause i believe her grandad started it!

  4. carla says:

    I love the vibrance of both paintings, but the bottom one is a real gem! I an understand how you would have liked to keep it! I love the colorful decoratove look of your work – it brings instant joy:>

  5. miragee says:

    Oh your friend is so lucky to own the second painting. I’d love to hang it on my wall too :-).

  6. Anonymous says:

    Both are excellent paintings! The colours are vibrant and subjects interesting!

  7. KaRLa says:

    great enviroment very nice

  8. ValGalArt says:

    both of your paintings are wonderful and i don’t blame you for not wanting to part with your beautiful creation! The song name applys to your cat “Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on”. Love both!!!

  9. Rebeccashane says:

    I love your cats.. cats are great! – were you the one that thought of this theme?

  10. zordis says:

    Both of the picture are great. The colours and humor that your cat is showing us ….. Very good work.

  11. I love the colors of the southwestern kitty! Perhaps that’s the Catalina mountains in the picture? I lived in Tucson for 9 years, now in Yuma. Not so many cacti here.

  12. Deb says:

    Sloopy is the coolest name for a cat! –and your painting is awesome! I can see why you hated to give it up.
    Keep Creating!

  13. Alina Chau says:

    GREAT beautiful painting!! REminded me of Gauguin, and Matisse’s rich coloring style!

  14. Katili says:

    I like the cat in the chair, a great work and the colours are very warm. Love the details, the cigarrette left give a feeling that someone is about to come back to the room and the cat will have to move a bit.

  15. Alexa Brett says:

    Your style is so great! I love the way you use colors to set the mood and your stylize way to portray thing is just lovely.

  16. kikazinha says:

    Hi Kismet.It was your flowers that made me come and visit you.And I am glad I did it because I really really loved your illustrations.It could seem only some kind of naif painting,but it is not.They are warm,and vesty.Nice work you have there.
    C.P.

  17. ratlion says:

    Love the painting..great colours!

  18. String says:

    Nice painting, very cosy and warm. (its freezing here!)

  19. Teri C says:

    Sloopy–reminds me of Rod McKuen. I can feel the love you have for this cat thru your narrative. Love it.

  20. Jody says:

    Oh I feel sad that Sloopy is living in a busy world.
    Recently we retired an older kitty to my mom…because her kitty went over the rainbow.

    We wish that Sloopy finds a quiet peaceful place to play. The illo is lovely of her.

    Smooch & head rubs for Sloopy,
    The Tart

  21. Fern Lady says:

    I like these a lot. They have a wonderful folk art look to them. Very interesting with lots of soul.

  22. HARDWAX says:

    first,your use of colors,in a round,whimsical way-so cute and interesting

  23. ohh nice lovely paintings! i esp like the cat on the chair too!

  24. irvine says:

    teehee! what a cutie kitty!!

  25. Tony says:

    Love the top one–it sums up what it means to be a cat (well, to a cat anyway). Great job.

  26. Leezy says:

    I love them both and sloopy is beautiful. The colours are so rich and warm – very fitting for Arizona … I agree with Carla, so vibrant and decorative.

  27. Jaimie says:

    Oh I love this painting. Great job on the potted plant!

  28. Karen says:

    Love both of them – especially the one with the cat on the couch. The colors are so vibrant.

  29. scribblesk says:

    The colors are so luscious and luminous paired with the gorgeous black kitty!

  30. love the colors and the kitty…lovely

  31. Janet says:

    Very nice! I also like the little details…the cigarette and drink…

  32. Amy Zaleski says:

    These are lovely…I can see how the second painting was hard to give up, but I’m sure your friend is enjoying it. And happy birthday – we’re the same age! 🙂

  33. Nan says:

    Thanks for the comment!

    I love the one with the crown. I actually refer to Gimli as Felinicus Rex when he gives me that “I am the master” look. So perfect!

  34. Rachelle says:

    I live both your cat illustrations of Sloopy, especially the bottom one in the yellow room. It’s like you just walked back into the room and you disturbed her from her nap on the green chair.

  35. bee'nme says:

    Love both your beautiful paintings! Sloopy is a joy…thanks for sharing the touching portraits in word and picture! Your colors and style are so appealing and fresh and alive – LOVE your style – keep on paintin!

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