Tag: cat painting

Juniper – A Portrait of Healing

Juniper - black white tuxedo cat pet portrait painting by BZTAT
“Juniper” pet portrait painting by BZTAT
Back in June of this year, my custom pet portrait paintings were featured on the popular Moderncat website. The feature generated considerable interest in my portraits. One inquiry from the feature really touched my heart.
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“My amazing cat Juniper was hit by a car and died last week. She was the cutest cat I’ve ever seen and she was my close friend. I’m pretty devastated by the loss and was thinking that one of your paintings would be a nice way to memorialize her.”
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The words in the email brought me to tears. The beautiful tuxedo cat Juniper reminded me of my Beezie, and the writer’s feelings of loss reminded me of how I felt when I lost my best friend ever.
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Losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest things a pet lover can face. We attach to animals in a uniquely pure and unguarded way, and losing them is like losing the best parts of ourselves.
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I know for me, having paintings around that I had created of Beezie was very healing after her loss. When I paint portraits for others after their pets have gone, I feel honored to be a part of the healing process for them.
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A BZTAT portrait is not just a painting of an animal. It is a portrait about the relationship that exists between the animal and the human that loves it. In the case of Juniper, it was a very special relationship that was interrupted too soon. She was only 4 years old when she left this world.
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Her human liked to garden, and Juniper liked to follow her around the yard, keeping her company. She wore a red collar with a fish shaped tag that had her name. She had many admirers in her neighborhood, but she knew where she was most loved.
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I never met this sweet cat, but I felt as though her spirit was with me as I painted her. I thank her for that, because she guided me in painting something very special for her human.
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Until we all meet at the Rainbow Bridge someday, may you be at peace dear Juniper. And may your human find solace in remembering you fondly through your portrait.
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**Special on Custom Pet Portrait paintings! 10% off the regular cost of Pop Art Style Portraits ordered by 12/7/12.** Shipping costs still apply. Portraits cannot be completed in time for Christmas, but gift certificates can be provided to be given as gifts. Orders bust be paid in advance. Contact BZTAT to order yours!
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My new muse and other schtuff

Okey white cat painting
Okey

When I first met Beezie, the cat from whom I got the name BZTAT, I knew I had to paint her. And I did. Over and over and over again for the entire 19 years of her life. I still paint her. Over and over again.

I love painting all of my cats, but there are certain ones who really capture my artistic imagination.

Okey, is like that.

Her image is as intriguing to me as her personality is. There is just something about her that really makes me want to draw and paint her. Over and over again.

So, be prepared. There will be many, many Okey paintings to come. I hope that folks enjoy them as much as I will enjoy painting them.

I painted her the other night because I just needed to paint something for fun and free with no expectations. After doing all the January drawings, it has taken me some time to get back into painting.

You may have noticed that I have not posted much here lately. Part of that is due to computer problems that I have been having. Some of it, too, has been because my creative focus has wandered a bit. The winter here in Ohio has been brutal, and I have sorta retreated inward a bit. I am working myself out of it.

I have been working to catch up on projects that have been on the drawing table and easel for awhile. Painting the Okey picture kinda loosened me up a bit and got me back into the swing of things. I hope to share the other projects with you soon!

In the meantime, I hope you are staying warm and keeping your artistic adventures flowing!

 

On a budget but still want a portrait of your pet?

Romeo the Cat portrait
"Romeo" Folk Art Pet Portrait Painting by BZTAT

Up until recently, I have only painted custom pet portraits in my pop art style. These paintings require a lot of preparation in advance of the painting, and my detailed layering technique also is very time consuming. Capturing a very distinct likeness of the animal and its unique character in a semi-abstract style is also an exacting process. As a result, I have had to raise my prices considerably over the past year.

I do not regret raising my prices, even though I know that it has led to reduced sales. The paintings are worth what I am charging, in fact, they truly are worth more than what I am charging.

That said, I want to offer portraits that are a little more affordable to those who are watching their budgets in these uncertain economic times.

I have decided to offer portraits that are not quite as detailed and customized. Many people have enjoyed the quick folk art paintings that I have created in my paint-a-thons, so I have decided to offer these as an option for custom portraits. I can do these for a more economical price and, well, heck. They are fun to paint!

You can see examples of both pet portrait painting options here along with price lists.

So what are you waiting for? Why not spend all that holiday cash you got on a memorable piece of art that will keep on giving for years to come?

By the way, the cat in the painting above is none other than the cyber superstar Romeo the Cat, who has raised thousands and thousands of dollars to help animal rescue organizations. Romeo, you are an inspiration!