I recently read a blog article from Artistcoveries, that got my mind inspired and thinking about my own experiences with pets and how they interact with us as humans, particularly when we are creating our works. The article, which can be found on Artistcoveries blog, and highlights a personal story of hers involving pets, in this instance cats, as well as the artist Klimt and his relation and love of cats.
Reading through the article made me think of my own pets, again cats in particular, and how they interact with me and what I am doing at the time. Even know, I have a cat in the room with me, sleeping somewhere, who will randomly appear and walk across my desk, typing away nonsensical things or blocking the view of one of three screens attached to my desktop computer in an attempt to gain my attention. It has become a non-spoken game that she will walk across my desk, I give her a quick pat before picking her up and setting her on the floor.
There are numerous instances of other examples. Such as, there is nothing worse than being mid-painting and all of a sudden you are rushing to the bathroom to bathe a very irritated paint-covered feline yowling indignantly because he or she must get wet. Perhaps there is even humor in the scenario of leaving the room to go use the facilities, and upon return there is a very content feline glaring audaciously at one’s person as they are sprawled across a keyboard, the latest work (be it writing or digital art) now flickering in an alarming manner, and one knows the cat is thinking “I dare you to move me.” There is a saying in my household we use to express what our cats most likely are thinking when they sit on our electronics, and it is said from the perspective of the aforementioned feline: they usually look at us in a way that says, “If not made for sits, then why made of warms?” What about the pet who lays down in a craft project, and one now needs to get the glue unstuck from their fur (this is especially a nightmare for long-haired pets as it has more surface area to stick to), and you come away with “battle scars” from the encounter with a very upset kitty.
There are numerous instances of other examples. Such as, there is nothing worse than being mid-painting and all of a sudden you are rushing to the bathroom to bathe a very irritated paint-covered feline yowling indignantly because he or she must get wet. Perhaps there is even humor in the scenario of leaving the room to go use the facilities, and upon return there is a very content feline glaring audaciously at one’s person as they are sprawled across a keyboard, the latest work (be it writing or digital art) now flickering in an alarming manner, and one knows the cat is thinking “I dare you to move me.”
There is a saying in my household we use to express what our cats most likely are thinking when they sit on our electronics, and it is said from the perspective of the aforementioned feline: they usually look at us in a way that says, “If not made for sits, then why made of warms?” What about the pet who lays down in a craft project, and one now needs to get the glue unstuck from their fur (this is especially a nightmare for long-haired pets as it has more surface area to stick to), and you come away with “battle scars” from the encounter with a very upset kitty.
I have had numerous cats over the years, many of which have long since passed the Rainbow Bridge. I am down to two cats now: a long-haired, rag-doll, black cat named Angel, and a short-haired, gray, chunky chunk aptly named Darth Kitteous, or Darthy for short (and yes, it is a Star Wars reference because I am the only person she seems to like and tolerate). Angel is my old girl at about 10 years old, and is starting to show her age, while Darthy is roughly five years old and dive-bombs my head to snuggle with me when I am laying in bed.
All-in-all, the overall point is that with me starting my freelancing career in various art forms, I am reminded of the past occurrences and grimace at the thought of the upcoming events that await me. It is enough to send shivers up one’s spine, and yet despite all, it is what helps create memories of creating each piece. I am hopeful, however, that nothing involves feline baths. Brushing and grooming my little “fur-babies” is difficult enough.
Here is to hopefully many more fun adventures with my cats and my creations, and thank you Artistcoveries for the inspiration for this post!