Bliss - Tabby Cat

'Bliss' 3 x 5 inches

The Prime Minister David Cameron has launched a government survey to measure well-being. I'm not convinced it will be money well spent in the current economic climate but it made me think about what happiness means to animals.

I think this cat rubbing its chin against some broken wood would score highly in the survey, it looks pretty happy to me.

Cat Protection

'Mischief' - donated to Haworth Cat Rescue

The Supreme had its usual parade of fabulous cats.

Long hair, short hair, no hair, spotted, striped, tabby, black, white, blue, all with one thing in common, cared for.

I love looking at the pampered cats but also want to do something for those less fortunate.

In the Spring I donated my original painting of an Abyssinian kitten 'Mischief' for Haworth Cat Rescue to use on one of their Christmas cards, the above is an image of the card itself.

Haworth Cat Rescue are a local charity doing a fantastic job caring for cats that have fallen on hard times. Some are unwanted but some owners are having to part with loved pets because of a change in circumstances. Having visited Haworth a couple of times I know that all the cats staying there find love from the people looking after them.

100% of the proceeds from sales of the card will benefit cats, so in a very small way I feel I am playing my part in helping.

The 2010 Supreme Show

Maine Coon - coloured pencil and acrylic on pastelbord, 14 x 11 inches

Tomorrow I will be setting off at some dreadfully early hour to drive to Birmingham for the GCCF Supreme Show held at the NEC

Once I get everything set up and the panic that I've forgotten something fades I really enjoy the day, especially meeting all the cats.

Hopefully I'll also have a successful day selling. This year I'm offering framed prints at a reasonable price so fingers crossed they do well.

If anyone is going to the show do come and say hello.

Border Terrier Part 2

A little more work on the terrier but I'm getting ready for the Supreme Cat show on Saturday so I'm busy printing.
I've also decided to offer some framed prints so I'm also sorting that out. I'll post a photograph tomorrow when I get everything ready before loading the car.

Going to the Dogs

Border Terrier, coloured pencil on Arches watercolour paper.

This year I added several venues to my sales strategy, one was a Game and Country Fair, one a Craft Fair and one an Art Festival.

I wanted to see what worked best and decide where to target in 2011. I recognise that the current economic climate doesn't help with sales and that exhibiting once at each type of venue isn't really enough to decide what works, but it did give me a taster.

From a sales point of view non was overwhelmingly successful, but from a learning perspective all had something to offer.

There was a common lesson relevant to all three: my portfolio is too cat orientated to generate large print sales away from the cat shows.

The Supreme cat show next weekend is my last exhibition of the year so I have several months to add some diversity to my range of prints.

One avenue I want to explore is returning to the dogs and adding to the breeds I offer as prints.

Gun dogs and working dogs as groups were numerically greatest at the country fair but the one breed I saw the most of was undoubtedly the Border Terrier so that's the one I decided to start with.

I'm not sure if I want to do any more craft fairs but that's another post.

Fine Line Artists Fourth International Exhibition

I started this tabby cat quite a long time ago and have decided to finish it in between working on the three racoons.
It's approximately 14 x 18 inches on Arches hot press paper.


Tomorrow is the opening of the International Exhibition of the Fine Line Artists, a group of women artists that I belong to.
The exhibition is being held at the Mission Trails Regional Park Art Gallery and runs from the 6th of November until the 3rd of December.

To read a bigger version of the above visit the Mission Trails web site.

We formed the group several years ago to provide support for the development of our art and the business of being an artist. There are six of us in the group but only five taking part in the exhibition as the sixth member is an international best selling author in the middle of an amazingly busy schedule.

The other artists are:-
Katherine Tyrrell well known for her artists blog Making a Mark
Vivien Blackburn
Nicole Caulfield
Louise Sackett, huge thanks to Louise as she has done all the organizing.

Our subject matter is as diverse as our styles. The exhibition features landscapes, wildlife art, botanical art and still life art relatingto the Mission Trails area of the USA.
All works are for sale.