Category: cat art

January 7, 2012

Stained Glass "Ice, Ice Kitty!"

Design by BZTAT, crafted by Glassmith Artists

I don’t usually brag about my own work. When someone interprets one of my designs as fantabulously as my friends Karl Smith and Brock Allen of Glassmith Artists did with this piece, though, I think I am entitled! Their expert craftsmanship really added amazing dimension to my image of my Maine Coon cat named Who.

Karl and Brock are stained glass artists in Apple Creek, OH, a scenic town west of Canton where I live. We met through the Creative Ohio Gallery where we are all involved in the Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild. Last night, during the annual Canton First Friday Ice Festival, they put the finishing touches on the “Ice, Ice Kitty!” piece and shared their craft with patrons of the gallery. A great time was had by all!

The idea for the piece came from this digital artwork that I created a couple of years ago from a photo of Who.

Digital Art by BZTAT

From that image, I abstracted and simplified shapes to make it conducive to a stained glass design.

Cat drawing for stained glass design by BZTAT

Then Brock and Karl added their magical stained glass craftsmanship.

Brock Allen crafting the stained glass image

And the finished product!

Brock Allen with the finished "Ice, Ice Kitty!"

We were blessed with unseasonably warm weather for January, so the whole town came out for First Friday!

Canton First Friday

It is so wonderful to collaborate with other artists and to be in such a creative community as Creative Ohio. If you would like to get involved, check us out. You do not have to live in Ohio to be a member.

The stained glass “Ice, Ice Kitty!” can be purchased for the low price of $250 plus shipping. Custom BZTAT designs created in stained glass by Glassmith Artists can also be commissioned, starting at $400. Contact me if you are interested in commissioning a piece or are interested in the “Ice, Ice Kitty!” piece. The original drawing can be purchased for $60 + shipping. Let me know if you are interested in that as well.

I am looking forward to further collaborations with Brock and Karl. Stay tuned…

December 30, 2011

Show your team spirit with TEAM BREW™ art!

"TEAM BREW Marshall University" by BZTAT

I am not really one to make New Year’s Resolutions, but I do like to start the year with new goals and visions. On January 1, I will post my “Vision Board” for 2012, a pictorial representation of the outcomes and goals that I wish to manifest in my life over the next year and beyond.

I did a vision board for 2010, and I accomplished some of the goals. Other goals remain in process, but I am on my way to accomplishing them. A few goals have become less important and have fallen to the way side, which is to be expected I guess.

I will give you a sneak peek of 2012’s goals today. One of my goals is to develop my cat Brewskie Butt’s character into a unique brand, with distinct artwork and products inspired by the artwork. My ultimate goal is to develop a line of images and products to be licensed for mass production. In the meantime, I plan to develop images, prototypes, and print on demand products in addition to creating unique, original artwork of The Brew.

I will be starting out with “TEAM BREW™” artworks, like you see above. TEAM BREW™ will celebrate your team spirit for your favorite collegiate or other team. Check out the TEAM BREW™ page to learn how you can get an artwork with The Brew sporting your favorite team colors!

Also, I will be launching my first published picture book sometime in January. Remember back in May how Brewskie went on a trip around the world? Well his book is just about ready for release. More about that soon!

Brewskie has his own website, which is due some revision, and within the next week or so, he will be getting an upgrade. We plan to keep his blog, but also develop some galleries and other fun schtuff. If you have some suggestions as to what you’d like to see on his site, let me know in the comments or send me an email. I would love to hear your ideas!

I hope that 2011 has been a good year for you, and that winding it down brings you to new adventures for 2012!