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11/16/09
Hey, evrybuddy, Skeezix heer.
 Today, I’m interviewing Gordy, the reigning World’s Wettest Coolest Cat. Last year, Gordy won the “Wet Cat” category in the World’s Coolest Cat Show. He was the Grand Prize winner in 2007, and a finalist in the Sleeper category (photo at right) in 2006. As we enter the final days to enter and vote in the World’s Coolest Cat Contest, I’ve asked Gordy to share with you what goes on behind the scenes when a winning photo is born.
Skeezix: First off, Gordy, I wunt to congratulate yoo on yer teem, the grate Noo York Yankees, bringing home da Werld Series Trophy. Whut did yoo do this yeer to cheer them on to viktery?
 Gordy: OH WOW! Yes! I was, and still AM so excited about the Yankees winning the World Series! I’ve never seen that before and they did it at home in their NEW Stadium too! Couldn’t have been a better season for them!
Since this year they played in a new home, I had ALL NEW stuff to do. Before any game that I got to watch, I wore my Yankees jersey of course, and did the “happy dance” – something I have become secure in doing now that I am a mature 4 years old. Dutchie is also allowed to share the couch with me now so I can ‘high paw” her when they score. I think it really helped this season! (I also sacrifice a fur mouse out the window to the vishus deer out back if they should lose.)
Skeezix: Gordy, last yeer yoo wun the Wet Cat Category in the Werld’s Coolest Cat Contest with the toylet foto below. What was the inspiration for yer foto? Did yoo plan it owt for weeks ahed of time?
 Gordy: Well, when mommy found me living on the streets when I was 3 weeks old, I was immediately introduced to water let’s say for “pest control”. After my first week living with my mommy and perhaps 10 baths later, I LOVED water. AS I grew older (and bigger), I started to share showers, sit in the sinks and play in the small jacuzzis in the bathrooms. Mommy and dad would usually put down the jacuzzi lids in the house but occasionally, when a guest might be over, they would use the jacuzzi and leave the lid up and I would then splash all the water out. If it was in the summer time, I might splash as much water out of it until I could sit in it because it was so nice and cool.
On this particular occasion, mommy set ME up- BUT ONLY on the day the picture was taken- she didn’t plan the idea (at least that’s what she told me). SHE left the top up and sat around with her camera waiting for me to play in the water not knowing I was going to empty the jacuzzi out.
Skeezix: So you reely were wet? It wuzn’t all smoke and mirrors?
 Unlike my previous year’s entry (see photo, right), there was no smoke and mirrors in this entry, I was IN the jacuzzi and I was really wet. So was the floor … and the walls … and the toilet paper!
Skeezix: Did yoo hafta git high on nip or sumthin, to akshully jump in the toylet?
Gordy: Oh no, I SINCERELY LOVE water! I used to sit with mommy in the shower, I sit in the kitchen sink and drink from the faucet, I have learned how to turn ON the bar faucet, I used to stand with my front pawn IN my dog-brother Gonzo’s water bowl while we both drank from it. — HEY! why do you keep calling it a toilet???
Skeezix: Cuz it’s a toylet, Gordo! How many fotos did yer mom take to git the winning shot?
Gordy: I think mommy took about 10-12 photos of me. Most of them she snuck because when I see her with the camera now and I think I’m NOT supposed to be doing something, I RUN! I KNOW I’m not supposed to be in the jacuzzi so she had to sneak them.
Skeezix: How long did yoo sit thare?
Gordy: I may have been there about 5-10 minutes. Had mommy not taken pictures, I might have been there longer. I thought I was in big trouble.
Skeezix: How do the ladies react to that photo? Did it tern yoo into a chick magnet, or do they go eeeuuuwww!?
Gordy: You know, the ladies didn’t really react either way. (getting a bit paranoid) I have my friends who all thought it was funny, I was just sad that they didn’t have a jacuzzi too. I made some new fiends as well but I don’t remember any kitties being “ewwwww’ed out. [nervous chuckle, grabs picture dictionary]
Skeezix: Some cats thought you should have been in the Daredevil category instead, because diving into the toylet scares the bejeebers out of just about evry cat I know. I’m in awe of yer feerlessness. Will yoo stop at nothing to get an award winning shot?
 Gordy: [Looks up "toilet" in the picture dictionary.] Um… [chuckles] WELL, I would have to say that I would TRY to take a winning photo if it made my mommy happy. SHE’s really the one behind the ideas you know- if I had it my way, I’d be a pirate sailing the high seas in search of treasure everyday but I’m just little Gordy.
Mommy’s thing is to break out the camera and photograph me and Dutchie when we are doing our usual kitty things. THOSE are typically the best shots- when we run around, play jump, whatever. Sleeping shots are easy that way- playing shots get the good action stuff like daredevil stuff. The BEST photos come when there’s no agenda. So yes, I would stop at nothing at being myself- HELPING mommy get an award winning shot.
Of course, SOME photos need to be posed but you’ve shared that lesson with EXPERT advice.
Skeezix: Will yoo be entering the contest this yeer, or are yoo retiring wile yer still at the top of yer game?
Gordy: I have, for lack of a better term, retired. Most kitties know that my mommy doesn’t live with me anymore, so I don’t have any new photos to enter. Mommy isn’t around to snap away the way she used to be or come up with her crazy ideas preventing me from becoming a pirate. I am not ripped up and torn apart about it but mommy is. She enjoyed the contest very much I know. Many kitties have asked me to submit something though, so mommy placed one photo for Dutchie and me from our old photos just to keep our paws in the contest.
WE wish EVERY kitty MUCH LUCK and even MORE FUN with all your entries!!!!
Skeezix: Thank you so much Gordy for being so jeneruss in sharing what goes on behind the seens with my reeders. I hope yoo don’t stay retired too long!
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10/21/09
 This week, I interviewed Hilary Swank, the ambassador for the Iams Home 4 the Holidays adoption program. The program has placed more than 3 million animals in homes since 1999, and in 2008, the adoption drive found homes for 1,202,718 pets. The 2009 campaign launched on October 1st, and with 3,500 animal organizations, their goal is to help 1.5 million pets find homes this holiday season.
 Hilary is an outspoken animal lover who is no stranger to rescuing animals in need. She has adopted many pets throughout her life, including her two dogs Karoo and Rumi. Five years ago, while filming Red Dust in the South African countryside of Karoo, Hilary befriended a starving, tick-infested stray dog she found on the side of a road and adopted him. She adopted Rumi last fall from a participating IH4TH shelter in Los Angeles. I had a few minutes to talk to Hilary about her work with Iams’ Home for the Holidays Program.
Karen: For someone as busy as you, in the midst of promoting a new movie that premieres this week, it seems it would have been easier to write a check than to become the ambassador for the Iams Home 4 the Holidays campaign. What inspired you to get so deeply involved with this program?
 Hilary: Well, I’ve always loved animals and I want to do as much as I can to help them. Over 8 million pets are currently homeless in the United States; it’s just terrible. My own animals are a great source of friendship, inspiration and comfort to me, and I know others would feel the same if they had pets.
Because the holiday season is the most popular time of the year for people to buy pets as gifts, it makes sense to try to save the lives of shelter pets by encouraging people to adopt a shelter pet rather than buy from a puppy mill or backyard breeder. Many people are unaware that there are a lot of purebreds available at shelters; for example, as many as 25% of shelter dogs are purebreds. Purebred or not, shelter pets that are placed in loving homes get a second chance at life, and I want to help make that happen.
Karen: Last year, Iams Home 4 the Holidays placed 1 million pets in homes, and this year’s goal is to find homes for 1.5 million pets. Given the current economic climate, that’s a huge increase. Do you think you have a shot at reaching that goal?
Hilary: Absolutely. Pets provide a lot of comfort and solace during tough times, and I think now, more than ever, people should have pets in their lives. Everyone is under a lot of stress for a lot of different reasons, and nothing’s better than a purring kitten or faithful dog to give you comfort and solace when times are tough. Having someone welcome you home with unconditional love after a stressful day — there’s nothing better than that. They love you no matter what.”
Adoption Fast Facts
- As many as 8 million animals are homeless in the U.S.
- Nearly 4 million orphaned dogs and cats will be euthanized this year due to shelter over-crowding and lack of awareness about the importance of pet adoption.
- More than 25 percent of all dogs in shelters are purebreds.
- IH4TH helped 1,202,751 pets find homes last year alone.
- Over the past decade more than 3 million pets –1,638,515 dogs, 1,505,690 cats and 134,062 “other” animals – have been adopted through IH4TH.
How You Can Help
To learn more about how to make a difference in the life of an orphaned pet, including finding participating shelters, volunteering and making a donation to support animal organizations and pets awaiting new homes, visit iamshome4theholidays.com.
About Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH)
As one of the most successful pet adoption programs in the world, IH4TH partners thousands of animal organizations dedicated to finding forever homes for orphaned pets. Founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center and supported by Iams, IH4TH began in 1999 with just 14 participating animal shelters in San Diego County. Since it began 11 years ago, IH4TH – along with nearly 3,500 pet adoption centers – has helped more than 3,278,143 families experience the joy of pet adoption, including 1.2 million pet adoptions this past year alone. For more information, please visit www.iamshome4theholidays.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/IH4TH.
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09/08/09
Today I’m interviewing Kay Stahler of Kay’s K9s as part of my ongoing series on Cat Artists.
Yes, you read that right. But despite the name, Kay’s K9s doesn’t discriminate by species and embraces cats and other animals in the subjects she sculpts.
And her miniature sculptures are enchanting. Made of wool through a process called “felting,” she creates purrfect replicas of cherished pets. Her clients can even send bits of their pets’ fur to be incorporated into the sculpture, providing a great way to memorialize the furry members of your family.
Karen: Kay, do your pets influence your work?
Kay: I think they do. In between custom orders, I enjoy creating miniatures scenes with my needle felted animals. The inspiration for a lot of these scenes comes from my experiences with my own pets. For example, I’ll soon be offering a scene with a Jack Russell Terrier digging holes in a yard while a mole is poking its head up behind him. That scene was inspired by my own Jack Russell, who spent countless hours waiting patiently beside a mole hole in my own backyard.
 Karen: How long have you been making these felt animals?
Kay: I’ve been making my felted Kritters for about two and a half years.
Karen: How did you learn the felting process?
Kay: I first heard about needle felting online a few years ago. I’ve always been the type to enjoy trying my hand at a new craft, so I ordered a kit off of Ebay. After learning the basics from that kit, I started teaching myself and creating dogs based on my own techniques.
Karen: Can you describe the felting process?
Kay: Simply put, needle felting is the process of taking raw wool roving and using a special barbed needle to sculpt it into shape. The sculpting is done by poking the wool fibers thousands of times until they interlock and felt together. This process is extremely time-consuming, and each sculpture normally takes 15 – 30 hours to create.
Karen: Is it a difficult process, or is it easy to learn?
Kay: I would say it’s the same as most other art forms – easy to learn but difficult to master. The concept of painting is very simple (dip brush in paint, run brush along canvas, repeat) but of course it takes years to develop technique, not to mention it requires a certain level of innate artistic ability. Felting is very similar. Everyone can learn it to varying degrees (it’s an extremely simple concept of poking wool with a needle) but not everyone can master it in the same way.
 Karen: I’m always struck by what phenomenally accurate likenesses your sculptures portray. Of the 15-30 hours it takes you to make a sculpture, what percentage of that time is spent fine-tuning the facial expression and likeness to make them so realistic?
Kay: It can take anywhere from a day to 2-3 days to complete the finishing touches on a sculpture (facial details, final posing etc). I always send photos of finished custom sculptures for customer approval prior to shipment. At times, I will get a customer who is rather particular about the details. In those situations, the fine-tuning has sometimes required over a week! Under normal circumstances though, I spend a day on the facial features.
Karen: Are there any breeds that you find difficult to sculpt?
Kay: Tabby cats have been the most difficult so far, due to the very detailed and specific markings. I do enjoy being challenged though, it helps me bring out my creative side.
Karen: Of the sculptures you’ve created, do you have a favorite?
Kay: If I had to choose a favorite, it would be a Rat Terrier sculpture that I made almost 2 years ago. I made that sculpture as a gift for my mother, and it was a replica of the family dog we had growing up and tragically lost to Cushing’s Disease 5 years ago. She had tears in her eyes when she saw it and she has treasured it ever since. I know it has brought her a lot of comfort, which makes it one of the best gifts I could have given her.
 Karen: What is the biggest size that you’ve felted?
Kay: I once created a Boxer that was 8” tall and about 12” long. I massively underestimated the work involved, and severely undercharged it. That one sculpture is the reason I limit my sculptures to 4” body length (about 6-7” including cats tails). I would have to charge insane prices to offer sculptures that size, as they would end up taking me several weeks each!
Karen: Why do most of your customers buy these sculptures? Are they all commemorating deceased animals, are they purchasing gifts for friends?
Kay: I generally have quite a variety of customers. I’ve had several who order a sculpture of a recently deceased pet, frequently sending me some of that animal’s fur to include in the sculpture as a memorial. Others have ordered from me upon receiving the devastating news that their pet is terminally ill.
I’ve also had several sculptures ordered as gifts (I deal with a lot of husbands ordering for their wives around Christmas).
Most customers seem to order a sculpture of their pets while they are still living, which is easier on me emotionally. Having gone through the heartbreak of losing a pet myself, it can be a very emotional process to work with grieving pet owners.
Karen: But even as difficult as it is, it must be gratifying to be able to provide a pet owner with such a stunning memorial.
Kay: Yes. In fact, earlier in the year I had a customer contact me about ordering a sculpture of her seal-point Himalayan. Her cat had just been tragically diagnosed with kidney failure, so she knew she had only a limited amount of time before she would be required to say goodbye. She told me how excited she was to discover my work because she had been searching for a way to immortalize her kitty.
She sent me some of Camille’s fur, and also some of her whiskers, to be included in the sculpture. This way she would always have a part of Camille with her, even after she had moved on to Rainbow Bridge.
Hearing how much my work means to people, and how much it can comfort them during such devastating times in their lives, brings me so much joy. I truly love working with my customers to memorialize their cherished pets.
Karen: Thanks, Kay, for taking the time to talk with me about your work. You really capture the souls of the pets you portray.
You can find Kay online:
A portion of all proceeds from Kay’s K9s sales is donated to the Ontario SPCA and local animal shelters. By purchasing from Kay’s K9s, you help support animals in need.
Don’t forget! You can leave a comment on this post for an entry in The Cat’s Meow’s giveaway of a custom oil painting of your cat by Linden Alley.
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07/23/09
As part of my continuing series on artists for whom cats figure prominently as subjects of their work, today I’m interviewing Alison Kurek of Buffalo, New York.
 Alison’s early artistic career focused on photographic imagery, often social commentary pieces. Over the years, her style mellowed, becoming more playful. Her work is aimed at people who just need some smile therapy.
Although she still creates photographs, her repertoire has expanded to include polymer clay, ceramics and acrylic paintings. She often mixes it up in her current work, so probably best fits into the “mixed media artist” category.
Alison is a Buffalo native and a graduate of the State University College at Buffalo. Her work has been sold through galleries, shops and art festivals for over 15 years and is held in numerous collections throughout the United States.
Karen: First off, Alison, please tell me about your cats.
Alison: I have 2 cats. Mylo: a 2-year-old gray tuxedo and Livee : a 1-year-old tortie. Mylo has kicked off my tuxedo cat craze. They’re self-supporting (it’s hard work being a model), they have a lot of energy and they make me laugh quite often so how can they not inspire me?
Karen: Have you always been a cat person?
Alison: No. I grew up with dogs and didn’t have a cat move in with me until I was in my 20s.  They grew on me rapidly though and for a number of years I had four. Chester, one of my original cats, was truly the inspiration for my first pieces of cat art.
Karen: How long have you been working in polymer clay?
Alison: Over ten years. Maybe as long as 13 years but I can really put an official start date on it.
Karen: Are your own cats the models for your work, or is your work the product of a vivid imagination?
Alison: Well — Mylo and Live would like to claim that they are responsible for all of my current work — but I let my imagination run wild a bit.
Karen: You imbue your mini sculptures with so much personality! Do you plan a certain “mood” before you begin each sculpture, or does it take on a life of its own as you work with it?
Alison: Both depending on the day/specific piece of work. My 3D “Fat Cats” pretty much all start out the same way and find their personality along the way; but my mixed media pieces start out with a painting first — so the cat’s attitude, position, coloring, etc.  has to work with the painting. When I work on custom orders the wishes/requests of the customer play heavily into what the final outcome will be.
Karen: Your “Cat Out of the Bag” photo (right) is heartwarming. How did you capture that perfect shot at just the right moment?
Alison: Ah, that’s my Chester. He was a fabulous, FAT tiger with a mountain of personality. That photo was all about being in the right place at the right time — Chester had a bit of an attitude and was NOT one to take direction well. He was the inspiration for my Fat Cat on Edge series.
Karen: Which breed of cat do you most enjoy portraying?
 Alison: I can’t say that I’d really choose one over the other — other than to say that most of my creations are of domestic short hairs. Polymer clay doesn’t lend itself well to making furry, long-haired cats (or at least I haven’t figured out how) — and my own cats have all been domestic short hairs. I had a fabulous calico named Jane for many years — so you’ll still find a lot of calicos in my work, along with tigers and tuxedos. I’ve been trying to getting the speckled, brindle coloring of my tortie Livee but am struggling a bit with that.
Karen: Do you ever do custom sculptures?
Alison: Yes — quite often. I work from pictures or from descriptions and match hair and eye color while working names into titles.
Karen: Which of your current works is your favorite?
Alison: I’ve been having a blast with ACEOs! They’re quick and fun and offer flexibility that larger pieces of art work don’t allow.
 Karen’s note: “ACEO” is an acronym for Art Cards Editions and Originals. ACEOs always measure 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches, the size of a standard sports trading card. Other than size, there are no other restrictions or limitations, and they can be created in any medium, including but not limited to paper, canvas, wood, clay, fabric and metal.
Karen: Aside from Etsy, do you sell in other online venues or exhibit in galleries?
Alison: I sell ACEOs (mostly cats) on eBay under user name: aekurek. I have a Facebook site, and a blog at alisonekurek.com.
Karen: Thanks for the interview, Alison. I really enjoyed learning about the cats behind the art!
Check out Alison’s online store. You’ll find that her work is affordable, with most pieces going for less than $20–a great gift idea for the crazy cat lady in your life… or you!
Find Alison Online:
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07/07/09
 Darlene Pucillo (who goes by “Puci”) is an artist based in Spokane, Washington. For most of her professional life she focused on fine art paintings. Within the last couple of years, however, she’s branched out into pet portraiture, much to her clients’ delight. Darlene put the paintbrush down for a few minutes to chat with me about her work.
Karen: First things first! Tell me a little about your favorite pet.
Darlene: As a teenager growing up in San Francisco, my constant companion through that difficult adolescent passage was Alfie, a Maltese-Poodle. Alfie and I would walk in Golden Gate Park almost every day. When I returned home from school, there he was in the window waiting for me. And, as I lay on the rug in the living room doing my homework, he would curl up on my back and nap. He lived to see me through school and out on my own.
Karen: You’ve been painting over 30 years,  but just recently began painting pets. What prompted you to take the plunge into pet portraiture?
Darlene: I’m still perfecting my skills as a painter–thirty years of painting helps with that. But inspiration is not a skill that can be perfected. It comes suddenly and mysteriously and can leave just as quickly. For me, inspiration arrived one day in the form of a realization that, with my talent of composition using Photoshop combined with my skill as a painter, could enable me to offer owners of animals affordable portraits of their beloved companions.
I had been considering the idea of doing pet portraiture for sometime before I finally launched my online venture while living in Portland, Oregon. Per capita, Portland has a huge population of pet lovers.
 I built an online following for my artwork. Sometimes the portraits are done to memorialize a pet that has died. Often the response to these portraits will give a touching insight into the strong emotional bond people have with their animals.
Now relocated to Spokane, I continue to pursue my artistic muse as well as my business of pet portraiture.
Karen: You continue to produce fine art paintings in addition to the pet paintings. Which do you prefer?
Darlene: I love it all, really. I just love to paint and specifically with oil paints. The great thing about the pet portraits is the immediate satisfaction from my customers as well as the assured income.
 Karen: How many pet portraits have you completed?
Darlene: I’ve painted about 150 pet portraits to date.
Karen: Do you only paint in oils, or do you also work in other media?
Darlene: Art school, of course, introduces the student to a variety of methods for visual expression, but oil paints continue to captivate me. I love the rich color and consistency of oil paints, the slow drying time and the passion that emerges when paint, brush and painting surface unite.
I’ve also come to appreciate the digital media. It seems magical what an accomplished artist/designer can achieve with a program such as Adobe Photoshop. (This is how I compose my pet portraits for client approval.)
 Karen: Do customers ever send you photos that just won’t work for a painting?
Darlene: Yes. That is an issue. A photo with poor resolution or other issues is very difficult to work with, so I try to obtain as many photos as I can to mix-and-match. But when a good photo is just not available, I find that a whole body portrait of the pet surrounded by a well planned background area will successfully convey the personality/essence of the pet.
Karen: Your final paintings seem much more vibrant and alive than the photos on which they are based. What sort of reaction do your clients have when they see the final product?
Darlene: I’ll answer that question with some of my client’s reactions to the finished portrait:
“Hi Darlene-…my friend Katy was so overwhelmed with the painting- she just couldn’t believe how well you captured him- she said the same thing I did- that a painting is surely a much better option over just a plain old photo…” she is getting it matted and framed and hanging it over her fireplace! She said “gorgeous” and then she cried- so thank you again for giving her something she will have forever as a happy reminder of Charlie!”
“Wow! you have an amazing talent….thank you. It looks so much more like her – more alive than the photos can capture.. I love it.”
“Hi Darlene! YES we received the painting and it is absolutely stunning! My dad just about fell over when he saw it…”
“Darlene,
That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You did a marvelous job. I just can’t thank you enough. I miss him so much. You made me cry but then I have a hard time stopping these days.”
Karen: Are most of the paintings purchased as gifts, as memorials of deceased pets, or by people who just want to see their pets in oil?
 Puci: Probably all three. Many of my customers who commission a pet portrait for themselves will commission more portraits of their family of pets. Many gift commissions are at Christmastime, on birthdays and the like. The memorial portraits are the most poignant commissions.
Karen: In addition to cats, dogs, and their people, do you paint any other types of animals?
Darlene: I’ve incorporated many pets and animals into my other paintings over the years, including horses, tigers, monkeys, hummingbirds, parrots, seagulls, frogs, fish… Currently I’m working on a project that involves endangered species.
 Karen: Which is your favorite breed of cat to paint?
Darlene: I enjoy painting Ragdolls and other longhaired cats because the long fur can be painted in loose, long brushstrokes. Tabbies are also fun because the markings are always so unique to each cat. The eyes of a cat are most amazing.
Karen: Of all the cat portraits you’ve done, which is your favorite?
Darlene: My portrait of Target (part of my personal collection) is probably my favorite. Target was so special to me and my husband. He was so cool. He was a Tuxedo Cat who sort of adopted us and our apartment when his owner took off for Germany and left Target with the roommate. We called Target the Frank Sinatra of Cats.
Karen: In addition to your website and Etsy, do you sell your work elsewhere?
Darlene: I exhibit in galleries and I also exhibit in the cafes, restaurants and coffee houses that appeal to me. An example of a great coffee house venue for my pet portraits would be The Iron Mutt in Beaverton, Oregon.
Karen: I know my readers will want to know where they can see your work. If they don’t live in the Pacific Northwest, can they find you online?
Darlene: They sure can! I have a broad online presence, including the following sites:
Karen: Thanks, Darlene, for taking the time to let us have a peek into your creative life! It’s been a real visual treat getting to see your work!
You can commission a painting from Darlene, and it won’t break the bank. An 8″X8″ oil painting is $85; an 8″X10″ is $105, and a 16″X20″ painting is $210. It’s a purrfect way to commemorate a cherished family pet.
And, if you follow Darlene on Facebook, you can get sneak previews of her latest work!
[IMAGES: All images are the copyright of Darlene Pucillo.]
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06/16/09
 Today I’m interviewing Susan Faye (left), a self-avowed Crazy Cat Lady artist who creates brilliant watercolor portraits of cats and the people who love them.
Susan calls the Pacific Northwest her home, and her love of animals and nature is reflected in her gorgeous watercolors. Her popular blog, 365 Cat Ladies, showcases a new Cat Lady painting (and the occasional cat guy) and story every day.
If you’re a Laurel Burch fan (and what crazy cat lady isn’t?), you’ll love Susan’s brilliant washes of saturated color and whimsical designs. Even if you can’t afford a custom painting, you can indulge in one of her ACEOs (an artist trading card the size of a baseball card), magnets, or other merchandise. Just strolling through her Etsy shop or 365 Cat Ladies blog makes me happy! It’s guaranteed to lift your spirits as well.
 Karen: Before we start, Susan, tell me about your cats!
Susan: I’m afraid that my status as a Crazy Cat Lady may be in serious jeopardy as I currently have only one indoor cat, Buttonwillow (photo at right).
In my defense, I lost two beloved cats last year and am still too heartbroken to replace them, quickly passing boxes of “Free Kittens” with averted eyes. I also feed two outdoor “strays” that live in my back yard, Smokey Joe and Sweet Pea–and as we all know, the Cat Lady Rule of Thumb is “if you name ‘em, they’re yours”.
Karen: Boy, do I know that rule by heart. Have you always been a Cat Lady?
Susan: Cats have been a part of my life since I was about 6, when our family adopted “Patches”, a skittish calico cat that our veterinarian neighbor gave to us. In hindsight, I realize she must have been feral, as she lived out most of her life behind a couch on the screen porch or in the rafters of the garage–at the time I just thought she was shy like me. Since then, a long and illustrious list of fantastic felines have shared their lives with me.
 Karen: Did you always want to be an artist?
Susan: “Have crayons, will doodle” pretty much sums up my childhood. Creativity through the arts was a great way for a very quiet and painfully shy girl to express herself, and thanks to great parents, art supplies were always at hand.
I dabbled my way through my teenage years exploring drawing, painting, embroidery, sewing, knitting, crochet, ceramics, macrame, and yes, even decoupage (you youngsters might have to Google that one). You name it, I dabbled.
Karen: Have you always painted cats?
Susan: Cats have been a continuous thread through my creations over the years which have included greeting cards, a line of silk-screened giftware, ceramic sculpture, porcelain jewelry, and most recently–watercolor painting. The other themes that I like to use are nature, wildlife, the desert, and gardens.
Karen: Your style is very distinctive.  Has it evolved significantly over the years, or have you always favored those luscious brilliant colors and flat geometry?
Susan: As a confirmed dabbler, I’d have to say that my styles are always changing and slowly morphing because I like to try lots of different things. I’m currently torn between the graphic-art, illustrative “Cat Ladies” style and the more representational, detailed style of my traditional watercolor paintings (which can be seen at my other blog www.susanfaye.blogspot.com) . I love luminescent, glowing, transparent jewel-like colors. They make my heart sing, and I hope they have the same effect on others.
Karen: It certainly has that effect on me! Tell me a little about your 365 Cat Ladies project and blog.
Susan: I began painting Cat Ladies from my imagination a little over a year ago when I discovered the  Wonderful World of ACEOs–little art cards that are the size of baseball cards. After successfully selling them on Ebay for most of the year, I decided to give Etsy a try.
Sometime in September a wonderful husband of a Cat Lady sent me a query, wondering if I might do a custom painting of his wife, who had just lost the cat-love-of-her-life. Having just lost the cat-love-of-my-life and still in deep mourning, I decided to give it a try, although I didn’t have high hopes of success. He gave it to her as a surprise gift and it made her weep, which of course made me weep. The rest is history, as they say, and I began offering Custom portraits on Etsy.
Inspired by several different groups of Daily Painters, I decided to start my 365 Cat Ladies blog on January 1st of this year. I thought it would be a fun challenge, but knew full well that as a flaky-artist-type I couldn’t be relied upon to actually paint one each day (that would require rigid discipline, and we all know how artists feel about rigid discipline!). So I gave myself permission to supplement my daily blog with many of the images I had in reserve from over the past year. So far, so good,  but the reserves are running out. Yikes, I’d better get back to work!
Karen: Will you continue the 365 Cat Ladies project after 2009 ends?
Susan: If I make it to the finish line, I will dance a little jig on New Year’s Day, and then probably maintain the blog with just ONE Cat Lady per week. I’m not crazy you know..
Karen: Where do the Cat Lady stories for the 365 Cat Ladies blog come from?
Susan: Some Cat Ladies are real, and some are imagined… Whenever I do a commission, I ask permission to use the portrait on the blog, and ask for any stories or interesting tidbits they would like to share. You can’t believe the wonderful Cat Ladies I’ve had the pleasure of “meeting” from every corner of the USA and also from points beyond such as Great Britain, Canada, and Australia! They’ve included astronomers, authors, librarians, web designers, vet technicians, pet sitters, teachers, fellow artists, and even a dog lover or two. Each one has a heartwarming story to tell.
The imagined stories are little writing exercises for me–I try to find a little prompt, such as something interesting I have discovered on the web, then see if I can create characters and a little story around it. I enjoy writing almost as much as creating artwork!
Karen: How long does it take for you to create a custom cat lady painting?
Susan: The time varies based on the number of people and pets, and the size of the piece. The final painting itself may take anywhere from one to four hours to complete, but there are many exchanges of e-mails and photos and I usually do a thumbnail sketch first– so depending on my schedule, the whole process can take anywhere from one to four weeks for the client to receive the finished product.
 Karen: Who commissions your custom cat lady paintings? Are they mostly purchased as gifts?
Susan: They are almost always gifts–for sisters, husbands, wives, daughters, and neighbors as holiday, birthday, or anniversary gifts. The most touching commissions are those given in memory of recently departed cat-loves.
Karen: In addition to selling your work online (Etsy, CafePress), do you also sell through galleries or art fairs?
Susan: As a veteran of almost 20 years of craft fairs and art festivals, I have retired the canopy and gypsy caravan in favor of the newfangled internet, proving that you CAN teach an old dog (or cat!) new tricks. I am currently selling my Cat Ladies online through Etsy and Cafepress only; plus my traditional watercolor paintings are currently represented by Lawrence Gallery here in the Great Pacific Northwest.
Find Susan’s Work Online:
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06/03/09
 Today, as part of our series on traveling with your cat, I’m interviewing Kimberly, better known as “Rosie and Cheeto’s Mom.”
Rosie and Cheeto are road trip veterans, having logged over 5000 miles crisscrossing the United States. I caught up with Kim to find out more about her experiences and get her tips on traveling with cats.
Karen: How far have you traveled with your cats?
Kim: Rosie and Cheeto have journeyed all across the United States. They’ve navigated trips from Miami-to-Michigan-to-San Francisco and most recently, the trip from San Francisco to Chicago. All in all Rosie and Cheeto have traveled more than 5,000 miles in the car.
Karen: Have they always been good about traveling in the car?
Kim: The cats aren’t too keen on road trips – especially Rosie.
 Karen: How do you deal with it?
Kim: The first 20 minutes are typically spent screaming.
Karen: Does screaming at the cats help?
Kim: Oh no no no it’s not me who’s screaming, it’s Rosie and Cheeto. I usually turn on music and pretend that they are singing with me. They prefer the open road (highway) to city driving because there is less stop and go.
I don’t let them out of their PTU (Prisoner Transportation Units) unless I am traveling with another person. When I let them out of their carriers, Cheeto hides underneath the passenger’s seat with his booty sticking out.  Rosie, on the other hand, needs to be touching me all times. I refer to her as my fifth appendage.
Karen: Do you reserve hotels beforehand?
Kim: During road trips I prefer not to reserve hotel rooms in advance.
Karen: How do you find pet-friendly accommodations?
Kim: I typically just go up and ask if they are pet-friendly.
A couple of inexpensive motels that are pet-friendly include: Red Roof Inn (no extra fee), Motel 6 (no extra fee) Best Western and Candlewood Suites.
Karen: Do you ever just sneak the cats in even if pets are prohibited?
Kim: I confess, on occasion I have snuck them into the hotel with me (wink).
Karen: When Rosie and Cheeto stay at hotels with you, do they have a hard time adjusting to the new surroundings?
Kim: Rosie and Cheeto are always excited to get out of the car after a long day of driving. After using the litter box they typically hide underneath the bed or behind a chair.
 Before I let them out of their cages I always do an inspection of the hotel room. I also make it a point to look at the box spring of the bed to make sure there isn’t an opening where they can sneak in. I learned early on that Cheeto likes to hide in the box spring and will do everything he can to avoid getting back into his carrier.
It’s also very important to put the “do not disturb” sign on the door. The last thing you want is a maid opening the door for the cats to run out of the room.
Karen: How did you prep your parents for the drive from San Francisco to Michigan? Did they know what they were getting into?
Kim: Fortunately my mom drove to San Francisco with me so she knew what to expect. I made sure my parent’s car was equipped with a disposable litter box, food, water, blankets and paper towels (just in case).
Karen: Do you have a litter box set up in the car? Do the cats let you know when they’ve got “to go”?
Kim: Yes, I make sure the cats have a litter box in the car. You can purchase disposable litter boxes at most pet stores. The cats don’t really let you know when they have to go, but you sure can smell it once they do! Knock on wood they have yet to have a litter box mishap in the car.
 Karen: Can you drive as long as you like with the cats in the car, or do they have a limit to have far they’re willing to go in a day?
Kim: They aren’t too picky about the amount of driving we do, but I try not to overwhelm them. To make it easy on them, and me, I try to get at least seven hours of rest in a hotel room.
Karen: Were you able to enjoy the trip and see the sights, or were you limited in what you could do with two cats in tow?
Kim: Unfortunately, I’ve found that traveling with cats limits what you can and cannot do on road trips. Although some may disagree, I don’t like to leave my cats alone in the car for any period of time.
Karen: Ever let them drive?
Kim: No, I’ve seen what happened with Toonces. I will however let them snoopervise from the passenger’s seat.
Karen: Any travel tips you’d like to share?
Kim: Be careful when traveling with cats not to let them interfere with the driver for any reason. They can cause havoc if cats get below the driver’s seat.
When traveling alone I prefer to keep the cats inside their carriers. They typically scream and yell for the first 20 minutes but eventually calm down.
Road trips are not the time to test out new harnesses or walking devices. I tried out a harness with Rosie in a restaurant parking lot and forgot there was a breakaway safety collar. Fortunately she ran directly to my dad, but it could have been a HUGE disaster!
Karen: I’m glad it turned out alright! I’ve read horror stories of cats getting loose at rest stops, and the families (unbelievably) continuing the trip without them.
Thanks for the tips, Kim, and give Rosie and Cheeto some headbonks from me and Skeezix!
For more information on traveling with your cat, check out Catster’s Forum on Cats & Travel.
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05/30/09
 Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. As part of Strollin’ Week on The Cat’s Meow, I’m kriss-krossing the country to purr with strollin’ cats about strolling so you can see what all the fuss is about!
Today, I’m interviewing one of my oldest and deerest frends, Bitey, hoo lives in Pencil-vania.
Skeezix: How long have you bin strolling, Bitey?
Bitey: I’ve been strolling since Christmas 2006.
Skeezix: What prompted yer peepul to get you a stroller?
Bitey: I kept running outside and escaping, leading my parents on a chase around the neighborhood – hissing and growling. Mom thought that if I could go out in a controlled way, it might solve that problem. And, knock on wood, it has!
 Skeezix: What model of stroller do you have?
Bitey: I’m stuck with a cheapo $25 eBay model.
Skeezix: What do you like about this model?
Bitey: I liked that it was cheap since I didn’t know if I would like strollering.
Skeezix: What do you dislike about this model?
Bitey: It’s hard to steer with one hand, and mom kicks the wheels when she walks behind it.
Skeezix: Wood you rekummend it to a frend?
Bitey: I’d recommend it as a beginner stroller, but not for the serious strolling enthusiast. Mom always said she’d upgrade it if I liked strolling. Um, I’m still waiting for that upgrade…
Skeezix: How often do you stroll?
Bitey: Not often enough! Maybe once every two weeks. And only ever with Adam, my silly human baby brother. He’s one year old.
Skeezix: How far do you stroll?
Bitey: We do laps around the neighborhood. And sometimes they park me outside by our pool when everyone is swimming or eating.
Skeezix: Do you stroll alone or with other cats/kids in yer howse?
Bitey: Only with my baby human brother. He cramps my style and nobody pays attention to me anymore. Yes, I’m bitter.
Skeezix: Do all the cats and kids in yer famly like strolling?
Bitey: Adam, the kid, likes stollering, mainly in his car with his cool bumper stickers that Mom made. Stevie likes to nap in my stroller, but as soon as it moves, he’s gone. Lucy doesn’t even get in after her one disastrous trip down the driveway.
Skeezix: What do you like most abowt strolling?
Bitey: The fresh air and the birds.
Skeezix: Is thare anything you dislike abowt strolling?
Bitey: Just that I don’t get to go enough! And sometimes the neighborhood dogs get a little too close and I have to hiss at them.
Skeezix: Have you ever seen any other pets in strollers on yer strolls?
Bitey: Nope, I’m the lone strollering pet in the neighborhood.
Skeezix: How abowt wild creechers?
Bitey: Mom, Dad, Adam and my grandpap saw a snake at the park over the weekend. Mom says that poor Adam will never go to the park again, at least with her. I would like to have seen that! Otherwise, I just see birds, bunnies and squirrels. And old people – it’s an old people neighborhood.
 Skeezix: Do you only stroll in yer nayberhood, or do you travel to parks or other places to stroll?
Bitey: I have only ever strolled in my neighborhood. I think I’d hate the car ride too much to travel anywhere else. And Mom can barely fit Adam’s stroller in her tiny car, so there’s no way mine would fit too – again, it’s cheap, so it doesn’t fold up!
Skeezix: Any funny strolling stories you’d like to share?
Bitey: Just that if Mom or Dad yell, “Bitey, stroller!” I come running from wherever I am, even if I’m sleeping soundly, and fly down the stairs and leap into the stroller in a single bound. I like to stroll THAT much! Oh, and one time I was napping in my stroller and some kid who was visiting zipped me in. Hours later, when they realized they hadn’t seen me for awhile, they found me, still zipped in. Jerk kids.
Skeezix: Well thanks fur telling me about your and Adam’s advenchers in strolling. (Maybe now that yer Mom has been publicly reeminded that she promist you a stroller upgrade, she’ll get you that nice new stroller!)
Bitey: When pigs fly, my friend. But it was great catching up with you. Be cool.
Despite the fact that Bitey is stuck with his cheapo eBay stroller and never got the promised upgrade, eBay is still a good choice for getting a cheap gently-used stroller in which to try out strollering to see if your cat will enjoy it. If your cat hates it, you can auction the stroller back on eBay, donate it to a shelter, give to a cat-loving friend, or give it away via Freecycle. If your cat LOVES strolling, you can then upgrade to a better model, confident that it won’t be a wasted purchase.
If you go the “test stroller” route, keep in mind that a good stroller will make strolling a far more pleasant experience, so don’t judge the quality of the strolling experience by a cheap stroller.
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05/28/09
Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. This week at The Cat’s Meow, we’re sellubrating the offishul kickoff of the strolling season by interviewing some prominent cats hoo strole, and providing infermation about strolling in case you’d like to join in the fun.
Today, I’m chewin’ the nip with Apollo Cream frum California. Apollo is a member of the Super Strollers Groop on Catster. AC was nice enuf to tell me all about his strolling advenchers, and why he got a stroller in the ferst place. He was on deth’s doorstep win his mom promist to git him a stroller if he got better… and he did!
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Skeezix: How long have you been strolling, AC?
Apollo Cream: I have been strolling for ten months.
Skeezix: Whut prompted yer mom to buy a stroller?
Apollo Cream: Unfortunately last summer my mom thought I was going to have to be PTS. I have always been a strictly indoor cat. My mom’s one regret was that I never got to go outside in my whole life. So she made me a promise that if I got well that I would get a stroller to see if I liked it. Mom had her doubts, because I am a bit of a scaredy-cat.
 Skeezix: Yer stroller is a byootiful pink color! Whut model is it?
Apollo Cream: I have a Happy Trails Plus Stroller. It is a very good model. Very roomy and spacious inside for me. The tires are plastic, but for my needs it suits me very well. I would recommend it to a friend who is going to be going for walks with their parent at a leisurely pace and fairly smooth surfaces. It doesn’t seem to be made for jogging or off-roading. My mom loves that it is pink. I don’t really love pink, it is fine for some boy cats, but I would’ve really loved a black stroller with flames! It also doesn’t have a leash/harness attachment. That isn’t a problem for me either, but maybe for some dogs or cats it would be.
Skeezix: How often do you go strolling?
Apollo Cream: When it is warm outside, I stroll once a day.
Skeezix: Ware do you stroll?
Apollo Cream: I am a shy cat, so I stay close to home. I only stroll around areas close to home.
Skeezix: Do you go solo, or do you stroll with other cats?
Apollo Cream: I’m an only cat. So I stroll alone.
Skeezix: Whut do you like most about strolling?
Apollo Cream: The best thing about strolling is being outside! I never knew there was such a big world outside. It is good to get outdoors if you are a cat!
Skeezix: Is thare anything you don’t like about strolling?
Apollo Cream: I don’t dislike anything about strolling. My mom gradually got me used to strolling, so it was a positive experience. I sleep in my stroller all day. I love it.
Skeezix: Have you ever seen any other cats or dogs in strollers on yer strolls?
Apollo Cream: I haven’t seen other pets during my strolls. Probably because I stay close to home. My mom has seen a couple of other strollers, when out shopping. She is always on the lookout.
Skeezix: Do you always stay in yer nayberhood, or do you travel to parks or other places to stroll?
Apollo Cream: I don’t like the car, so I’ve never strolled anywhere besides the area around my home.
Skeezix: Any funny strolling stories you’d like to share?
Apollo Cream: No funny stories. I’m just a cat, who loves his stroller. Some people laughed at my mom initially, and they told her she was never going to get me in it or that it was silly. Later, those same people were telling my mom that the stroller was a great idea for me, and that I looked healthier!
Skeezix: Do you enjoy being a member of the Super Strollers Groop on Catster?
Apollo Cream: You bet! I’m so glad there is a Super Strollers Group! Thank you to Rocky Ann for starting it. That is how my mom initially found out cats really do like strollers!
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05/27/09
Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. As part of Strollin’ Week on The Cat’s Meow, I’m mewing with strollin’ cats so you can see whut strollin’ is like!
Today, I’m interviewing Super Stroller Linus, who lives in Whiskerconsin. Linus’ bruther Mickey also enjoys strolling. Linus goes to lots of cat shows, so strolling purrvides him with a grate way to unwind. Welcome, Linus!
 Skeezix: How long have you bin strolling, Linus?
Linus: About 2 years.
Skeezix: What prompted yer peepul to get you a stroller?
Linus: We are strictly indoor kitties, and Mom thought we might like to get out once in a while. Especially after seeing how much some other kitties like strolling on Catster.
Skeezix: What model of stroller do you have?
Linus: We have a blue Pet Gear AT3 All Terrain Pet Stroller.
Skeezix: Do you like this model? Wood you rekummend it to a frend?
We love it and would highly recommend it to friends. Very roomy, rides well (has shock absorbers), and very well made and sturdy.
Skeezix: How often do you stroll?
Linus: Not enough. Mom works, but she tries to take us out once a week if the weather cooperates. We also don’t get to stroll in the winter as we live in northcentral WI where the winters can be pretty severe. We don’t get to do much strolling between Nov. – April.
Skeezix: How far do you stroll?
Linus: Depends… if it’s a hot day we keep the strolls short. If it’s a nice day, Mom might take me for a nice long stroll at  the park on the trails along the river – that’s fun!
Skeezix: Do you stroll alone or with other cat(s)?
Linus: Our stroller is big enough for 2 cats, but we prefer to stroll solo.
Skeezix: Do all the cats in yer famly like strolling?
Linus: No, Mr. Fez prefers to stay home – he gets too scared away from home, probably because he doesn’t see very well. Mickey and I LOVE to stroll though. That’s Mickey on the right.
Skeezix: What do you like most abowt strolling?
Linus: Everything! It gets us out of the apartment, fresh air, lots of interesting things to see and smell, and extra attention from Mom. Oh, Mom also says strolling gives her some exercise too.
Skeezix: Is thare anything you dislike abowt strolling?
Linus: Nope – what’s not to like?
Skeezix: Have you ever seen any other pets in strollers on yer strolls?
Linus: No, not yet…
 Skeezix: Do you only stroll in yer nayberhood, or do you travel to parks or other places to stroll?
Linus: We’ll stroll in our neighborhood, but Mom also drives us to parks. We enjoy strolling in the parks more. We’ve also strolled at PetSmart, PetCo, CFA cat shows, and (unfortunately) the vets.
Skeezix: Any funny strolling stories you’d like to share?
Linus: Usually people just assume Mom has a baby in the stroller… unless they actually look closely. We get a lot of double takes. One time a little girl pointed to our stroller as we were strolling by and said “kitty” and the parents started to correct her telling her “No, it’s a baby… Oh, it IS a kitty!” Yep, smart little girl! I don’t mind – I’m still Mom’s baby.
Skeezix: Can you tell my readers a little bit about the Super Strollers Group on Catster?
Linus: It’s a fun group. You can get info on strollers, stroller accessories, and strolling and share your strolling adventures.
Skeezix: Well thanks so much, Linus, for taking the time to purr with me about strolling today! Hope you have a grate strollin’ season this yeer!
Linus: Me too, Skeezy. Hope to see you around the Super Strollers Group!
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 Linus and Mickey’s Pet Gear AT3 Stroller sells for $169.99 (shipping included) at JustPetStrollers.com. Just Pet Strollers will match any other vendor’s lowest price (with some restrictions), and shipping is included in the price.
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Apollo Cream’s 
