Tag: cat painting

Creating Beauty to Salve the Pain of Ugliness – #IamTiger

Tiger Cat Portrait #!amTiger
Painting by BZTAT

You have, no doubt, heard the story of the Austin, TX veterinarian who killed an innocent cat and bragged about it on social media (The story has been carried by all major news networks). What you may not have heard is that the cat was a beloved pet who had gone missing earlier that day.

Although the rogue veterinarian, Kristen Lindsey, claimed that her prey was a “feral tomcat”, the cat was actually Tiger, a 6 year old orange and white Tabby cat who was a family pet.

The story is appalling, regardless of whether the cat was feral or was a pet. A veterinarian killing any companion animal and laughing about it as if its life had no value is no different than a human doctor slaying a homeless person as if he or she had no value.

The story started flooding my social media pages, as I am friends with many animal advocates. I confess that I tried to look away and ignore it at first, as I could not allow myself to feel the pain of it. Any story of animal abuse breaks my heart, and there are far too many of them being shared. Sometimes, I have to look away to save my own sanity.

There was something about this story, though, that forced me to pay attention. The story was one that could not be ignored. It had elements that hit me personally, and the fact that it was a veterinarian was so egregious.

First, the cat looks very much like my own orange and white Tabby, Brewskie Butt. Second, I felt strong empathy for Tiger’s family, as my Brewskie once escaped from my home and was lost for 3 days. Luckily, he was found and did not have such a disastrous fate, but I could imagine the feeling of loss his family must have endured.

Third, I am a TNR rescuer, and I have worked compassionately to help street cats achieve better lives and respect from the humans with whom they share this world. Any cat’s life has value, and a veterinarian who scoffs so virulently at that notion has no place taking care of animals.

As an artist, I wanted to paint something to respond to my feelings about poor Tiger’s demise. Refusing to highlight the negative, I instead created this painting to honor Tiger and to bring forth some beauty to replace the ugliness that his passing has brought forth.

There are those in our world who are intent on destroying and causing pain. It is my belief that, as a creator, I have a duty to bring forth beauty when others bring forth ugliness. Doing so brings balance to the world so that the cycle does not rest on destruction.

I posted images of this painting on my Facebook and Instagram. I was thrilled when others related to my desire to create beauty to replace the ugliness. One person was so moved by it, she has purchased the painting and is giving it to Tiger’s family.

For each ugly person in the world, there are so many more beautiful ones. We mustn’t forget that. 

What kind of beauty can you bring forth to give our world balance? How can you be creative in order to block out the ugliness that too easily captures our attention and causes us pain?

If you have shared the hashtag #IamTiger, how are you recalling his life and bringing forth the joyful energy that he brought to his world? Yes, we must share our outrage, but beyond that, how can you celebrate his life?

Let us seek justice for Tiger, not only in holding the veterinarian accountable for her actions, but also in celebrating the beauty of his life.

Prints of the painting are available for $25 (printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper). Contact me if you would like to purchase one. 

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Want a portrait of your pet? Learn more here!

 

Black is the New Orange.

Black Cat Painting by BZTAT
Painting by BZTAT

OK. No Black is not the new orange. Black is just fine as it is. And Black cats? Well, they are amazing.

I once had a black cat named Bub. He was a fabulous cat that dispelled all the myths about black cats. He was somewhat timid and a bit anxious, but always very loving. He always brought me great luck and was a fabulous companion.

I have painted many black cats over the years, somewhat inspired by Bub, and also by other black cats I have known over the years. I recently moved to a new home that came with a group of outdoor cats, and two of them are black. I am thrilled!

I am going to put this black cat painting up for auction, as the auctions have been going well, and I think he will bring YOU some good luck in your home.

It is listed at $175 for the regular price, but I am making the minimum bid start at $60, so you just might get it for a steal!

If you are interested, simply state your bid in the comments below.

Bid away and have some fun! But hurry, and watch closely. The bidding ends tomorrow (Sunday) night!

Here are the details:

10″ X 14″ painting on wood by artist BZTAT

Leave bids in increments of $10 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $60 USD

Shipping: $25 USA $45 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy this piece now for $100 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and you will be sent an invoice for $125 + $25 for shipping.

Highest bid at 10 pm ET on Sunday, June 22 wins the piece.

Winning bidder will be sent an invoice for credit card payment.

Please allow 4 weeks for shipping.

Hot Cat in the City – Another Art Auction Opportunity!

"Brew in the City" painting by BZTAT
“Hot Cat in the City”  painting by BZTAT

Brewskie Butt is my incorrigible orange and white cat who has now moved with me to 3 new homes. He first joined my feline family in 2004 when I lived in a cabin in Dellroy, OH near Atwood Lake. He followed me to an apartment in Downtown Canton, OH, where he did his part in developing and promoting the Canton Arts District. He then followed me to a house in Canton as I engaged in an artist residency. Now he has followed me to a new home in Alliance, OH.

He and I are both hoping that we stay put for awhile.

I created this painting of “The Brew” when he and I lived in downtown Canton, and it has been hanging around for awhile. I would love to see it on someone else’s wall, so I thought I would offer it up for auction.

It is a colorful contemporary folk art style painting on wood. It is painted to the edges, so no framing is needed.

It is listed at $175 for the regular price, but I am making the minimum bid start at $50, so you just might get it for a steal! If you are interested, simply state your bid in the comments below.

Bid away and have some fun! But hurry, and watch closely. The bidding ends tomorrow (Thursday) night!

Here are the details:

10″ X 14″ painting on wood by artist BZTAT

Leave bids in increments of $10 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $50 USD

Shipping: $25 USA $45 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy this piece now for $125 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and you will be sent an invoice for $125 + $25 for shipping.

Highest bid at 10 pm ET on Thursday, June 19 wins the piece.

Winning bidder will be sent an invoice for credit card payment.

Please allow 4 weeks for shipping.