All black cats are not the same, nor are their portraits.

My first black cat painting of Venus was done many years ago, when I was in High School.
I kindly refer to the finished oil as Outsider Art. I was learning.
Felicity,  now a mature women, posed for me  when she was young and spunky. Her coat is short, with only a few undertones of brown. I kept the background simple and colorful to put the emphasis on the lines of her body.
The day I met Nikolas, he tolerated a few photos and then allowed me to  follow him outside. It was there that I saw the beautiful copper shimmering through his thick black coat and noticed that his alert yellow eyes were flecked with violet.
Nikolas is in his senior years, but as he wandered in his garden, I sensed the intensity of a younger, adventuresome cat.
His owner described him as an "Alaskan Shed Cat."  Like a few fortunate,  feral felines, he won the "little kitty lottery." On a cold day in Wrangell, Alaska, the five week old kitten found his way onto the boat and into the hearts of a couple passing through who were searchng for a cat to adopt.
"We worried that he wouldn't be tame enough, that he'd jump off the boat," Sue, his owner said. "But once inside, he curled up and went to sleep." Nick became a "boat cat" traveling well beyond his humble origins.
I imagined that my third black cat, now a grand gentleman,  would enjoy being captured in a wilder setting - a place where the sun catches the splendor of his fur and in surroundings that reflect his ongoing explorations.

While I was cleaning out my garage recently, I found this and several other oil paintings that were done when I was in high school. The TV antennae gives you an idea of how old this is.
I photographed it and pulled it into Photoshop. Could I have ever imagined this transformation? 

"So I'm initiating an art challenge for myself and anyone who also wants to particpate can join in: February Faces! Draw one face every day for the entire month. Big faces, small faces, stick faces, ALL faces!" Gail Buschman

Here's my first one.
Likely I'll bundle them together over the month. One face a day. Doesn't sound like much, but...

On November 3, 2012, I will not only be displaying my pet art as a vendor at the PUPPY UP! WALK 2012, but I will be a speaker.

Most of us have more than one area of interest or expertise, but rarely do we get to combine our passions into one day.

When I was asked to be a vendor for the event I was pleased. I not only have lost several dogs to cancer but am a cancer survivor myself. So, the topic is near and dear to my heart. The "near" is easy to understand, but the "dear" requires some explanation.

I am often asked,  "When did you start doing these pet portraits."
I usually answer, "About seven years ago."  Most people smile, and then we begin to talk about my technique or their own pets. I rarely explain, and most people don't ask, "What happened seven year ago?"  

I was diagnosed with cancer.

Within seconds of hearing the words, I decided that someday was here. That no longer could I put off doing the things I love. Simply put - if I had never had cancer, the paintings you'll see at my booth and on this website would never have happened. 

We share our lives with our pets. I get great joy from recreating that relationship of love on my canvases. 

Dogs are in the moment. These days so am I. That's how this blog got its name.

I hope to see you at the event and to hear your story.

http://www.trustedpetpartners.com/santa-barbara-cancer-heros