The naming of cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES
T.S. Eliot
When I started these little paintings, I only knew that I was interested in exploring the contrast between blue and orange. Complementary colours are always fun to work with, as one makes the other ‘pop’ when placed just so.
As the work progressed, I found myself making shapes and marks that were different from those typical of my paintings. Rather than try and control them, I let my subconscious continue playing and gave the pieces time to become what they wanted to.
It’s often like this with paintings. I don’t quite understand what they’re about until they’re finished and I’ve had time to see them from a distance. And then place them in the context of what’s been going on in my life.
Lately, my 11-year old cat has been having some respiratory problems. An overnight stay at the emergency vet’s had us thinking our time with him was limited. Thankfully, twice-daily doses of a variety of heart medications are helping him to feel better (even though the process of getting him to take them is stressing the rest of us out…).
These paintings clearly reflect my love of this youngest member of our family. Can you see the hints of whiskers, feline freckles and paw pads in the work?
More than anything, they show me what can happen when I let go, follow my muse and let myself add and subtract elements without over-analysing. I think they’re pretty charming. I hope you do too!
Each of the six paintings below was created with acrylic paint, water soluble crayon and collage on gallery wrapped canvas. Finished with a coat of gloss varnish, then a coat of cold wax buffed to a shine, the pieces are protected from UV light.
Pieces can either be purchased without a frame (the sides are painted a lovely, muted turquoise) for $150 each, or mounted in a contemporary, tray frame, black or white (for an extra $30). Please indicate which option you’d prefer when you order.
Signed on the back and measuring 8 x 8 x 1.5 inches deep (or 9 x 9 x 2 inches framed), they’re perfect for that ‘a little bit too small for art’ wall in your house (although I also think they’d look smashing hung in a small grouping of two or three).
Scroll through the images to see up close details and what the pieces might look like on your wall. Clicking on the name of the paintings (in the captions below each piece), will take you directly to their Shop listing.
Effanineffable – 8 x 8 x 1.5 inches – Mixed media on canvas – Unframed – $150 CDN
Deep and Inscrutable – 8 x 8 x 1.5 inches – Mixed media on canvas – Unframed – $150 CDN
Mad as a Hatter – SOLD – 8 x 8 x 1.5 inches – Mixed media on canvas – Unframed – $150 CDN – [White framed image is of the painting ‘Rapt Contemplation’ and is shown to illustrate what a white frame might look like.]
The Wrong Side of Every Door – 8 x 8 x 1.5 inches – Mixed media on canvas – Unframed – $150 CDN – [White framed image is of the painting ‘Rapt Contemplation’ and is shown to illustrate what a white frame might look like.]
Profound Meditation – 8 x 8 x 1.5 inches – Mixed media on canvas – Unframed – $150 CDN
Rapt Contemplation– 8 x 8 x 1.5 inches – Mixed media on canvas – Unframed – $150 CDN
