After my last post in April I fell into the worst 'funk' I've experienced in many years, not only regarding my creativity but life in general. I can't blame it on anything in particular. Possibly a build up of many small things that have happened recently. I lost all interest in pretty much everything and generally felt 'flat' for lack of a better term. After waiting for this to pass(which it usually does in a few days but this time it didn't) I tried everything in my arsenal to get myself back on track. I listened to music...everything from Enya to my old Led Zepplin tapes, I worked in my gardens, I paced the floor, hit the treadmill, baked myself a pan of brownies and ate them all...you name it.
I finally forced myself to ready some artwork for the summer season at the gallery. I spoke with Rachel Krino at Northbound Graphics in Central Lake, Michigan and am in the process of having a couple of my Catitude cats made into reproduction prints. I framed Miss Willmott's Ghost which, IMO looks great in it's brushed silver frame. I'm also planning on printing more notecards using my Catitudes if my printer ink ever arrives from Dell. I think they shipped it from China this time.
The only thing left on my easel was this poor cat waiting patiently to be completed. I've added pastel and colored pencil to this, completed the tail and tweeked the background. I considered adding a Luna moth clinging to the tree truck above the cat but thought it would make the piece too rightside 'heavy'. The image is dark as it's a cloudy day here so the colors are off but I felt the need to post something new. I'd love any input on this one. C&C welcome!
23 comments:
it's great - I love his grumpy face (indigestion?) and the glow of the moon from inside his tummy!
I do hope you are over the winter blues now
I agree, no moth, it would be too much.
thanks for chiming in so quickly, Vivien.:) the grumpy face just kind of happened but i thought it suited him. indigestion, of course! i agree about the moth. too much.
This just glows, as you meant it to do. Its a perfect picture and I too agree about nothing more to be added.
I think there's been something in the air lately, making a lot of artists, including me, off their stride. It does pass as you say and you're back better than ever.
thanks Jeanette.:) i'm not completely back yet but at least i'm working. I noticed you mentioned on your blog that you were going thru an off period, too. wonder what it is?
Looks great Billie! Sorry to hear about your slump. I think we all have experience with how frustrating that can be. I hope the sunny summer months help you through.
Billie this really brings a smile to every viewer that sees it, I'm sure. I can see you are feeling better just from observing the piece, keep it up and keep taking those pieces to the gallery.:)
Hey Stacy and Mary.:D i'm slowly coming to life. must be all this hot humid weather that's suddenly arrived. who knows......
Mary, glad you enjoyed my last piece. now i'm trying to come up with a storyline to go with it. this should be interesting.
It's a brilliantly imganitive piece, and beautifully painted. Whate else is there??? Even the tree is perfect. This could be a good thing to expand on, and not to cheapen it, but it would have broad commercial appeal.Nothing wrong with that. I just saw it on WC too.
Mark Twain often wrote about waiting for the "tank to fill back up"....ideas, inspiration..like everything else, it runs in cycles and during the lulls, you have to be prepared for it to come roaring back. And did it ever.
well, thank you Nick! i'm glad you like this so much.:) i seem to be stuck on cats for some reason so i may try another one from imagination. i like your Mark Twain quote. i guess if he had down times anybody can have them. i already have decided to have prints made of this so i DO hope they have appeal to the general public. maybe they'll sell!
I love it as well! I really like the glow above the cat's head on the tree as well as his big belly & oh I am sooo fully what have I done expression...I can relate ;)
Sorry to hear about your down time as well. Hopefully you are over the worst of it!
Steelfish5858
He really has swallowed the moon and looks like I do when I have eaten too much - wishing that I hadn't and regretting the wasted calorie intake!
Having been in a funk lately myself I understand completely where you have been. I think you just have to force yourself to do something and then slowly you can pull yourself out of the mire.
I am so impressed with your painting.I have just seen it on WC.
This painting is such fun and so beautifully painted. It makes me feel good ...big smiles!!
We all get 'the blues' I think it is part of the creative cycle ....I hope you are through it all now and full of energy for more of these delightful works.
thanks, Tracey.:) the lighting/shadows were the trickiest things to figure out for me. i had no reference so just had use my own judgement and common sense. i'm thrilled you think i was successful!
Hi Anita! i've always been a bit moody but my funks are the pits. hate when i get that way and so happy when it passes.
regarding the cat: talk about gluttony, huh?! hehe
Welcome to my blog, Sandy! thank you for your comments.:) i'm out of my funk and on the lookout for my next project. not sure if it will be another fantasy cat right now or not. if i come up with a similar concept i will continue it as a series, i'm sure.
Billie - love the final pic of the fat cat. You are so talented! I do hope you keep up with these imaginative pieces.
I was writing a comment for someone on the different blogging spots that are easy to use, and want to use yours as an example, what the heck it should bring you a little traffic. And I just had to comment on that cat! OMG! Too funny! ROFLMAO funny!
Take care!
Suzi
thanks Robin for the wonderful affirmation:D i'm knocking around ideas for another fastasy piece. it's still just a sketch in ballpoint on notepaper. i'll probably develop it further with a charcoal study one and see where it leads.
i love traffic, Suzi.*thumbsup* thanks for thinking of me.:)
i'm glad you enjoyed my fat cat.:D
Hi Billie i love this image its so wonderful reminds me of the cheshire cat in Alice all contented lol hope you are on the high road as those lows are killers its like your muse takes off for a holiday and says your on your own kid lol im taking StJohns Wort and its working (shh wont speak to soon) oh and can i ask u how u enable those other than bloggers to access your comment area ....im here
http://bevs-big-brush.blogspot.com/
hugs Bev
it's so good to see you, Bev! thanks for the link. i found your blog and left a comment. i'm thrilled you enjoyed this piece.:) it was fun to stretch my imagination.
What a great illustration! I enjoyed your blog.
mj (in petoskey)
Welcome to my blog, Mary! i'm glad you enjoyed it. i just peeked at your's. I saw some amazing stuff on there! very cool ideas. I'll be returning to comment. it's good to have visitors from so close by, too.:)
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