Mia Meow is my new little kitten and companion who was rescued from a feral cat colony in Canton, OH. She often accompanies me to Second April Galerie where I have my art studio.
Over 40 artists are represented in the main gallery and in various shops and studios at Second April Galerie. It is the ultimate in small arts businesses. If you are near Canton, you owe it to your loved ones and yourself to stop in and do some shopping during the holidays!
On this Small Business Saturday, we hope that you will give your local small businesses your patronage. Mia says, Shop Small!
Cats have been the source of legends, myths and mysteries for thousands of years. The same qualities that have inspired magical imaginations about cats for centuries also inspire me artistically.
In “The Mystery of Cats”, an exhibit of new paintings at Second April Galerie, I take a direct look at their mystery and the qualities that make cats, particularly black cats, so intriguing.
There is a psychological depth to cats that is both alluring and intriguing, and this makes them an interesting focus for artwork. Cats can be very loving and tender, but they can also be independent and self assured. They have a paradoxical character that makes them very interesting as companions and also great subjects for artistic inspiration.
The exhibit is both playful and evocative, with colorful images of spirited felines in different environments. A serious message is conveyed by these stately creatures, however.
Although fun and colorful, the paintings also implore us to reconsider the myths that claim that black cats are evil and connected to a sordid subculture.
Because of the legends connecting black cats to bad luck, they often are innocent victims of a society that casts them off or leaves them vulnerable to abuse. Black cats not only fall prey to mischief-makers seeking to cause mayhem around Halloween, they also are unlucky in finding homes.
Around the world, animal shelters consistently report that black cats are often passed over for other cats by people looking to adopt a new pet.
“The Mystery of Cats” artworks and messages that go with them encourage viewers to enjoy the mystery of cats, yet they also challenge us to respect that cats are wonderful pets and worthy of our compassion.
The artworks will be on display at Second April Galerie at 324 Cleveland Ave., Canton, OH beginning First Friday (October 5, 2012) and will remain through October 27. If you are in Canton, I hope you will stop in and see them.
In conjunction with the exhibit, I will hold a “Create-a-thon” on Thursday, October 18, where I will create artworks in the gallery for 12 hours (9 am – 9 pm). The works created during the Create-a-thon will be auctioned to raise money for the latest Okey’s Promise: Art for a Cause project.
More info will be forthcoming about the Create-a-thon. Also, “The Mystery of Cats” artworks will be posted for sale here on the website soon. Stay tuned!
If you follow me on Foursquare, you know that Second April Galerie is one of the places I visit the most. I visit there so often, they allow me to have UPS and FedEx delivered there, since there is always someone around for pick-up.
Second April is right around the corner from me in the Canton Arts District, and they have a nice, comfy coffee bar. There are always interesting folks hanging out, engaging in interesting conversation. And the artisitic environment is stunningly magical.
Oh yeah. And there’s Brennis and Todd.
Co-owners of Second April, B&T are two of the sweetest, funnest, most charming and hysterically funny guys I have ever met.
Truth be told, B&T gave me the opportunity to stretch my creative muscles so that I could eventually become a full time professional artist. They are my pals, my delivery guys, and my inspiration.
Brennis as a fortune teller for Halloween
The day before I left for Las Vegas, Brennis was rushed to the Emergency Room with chest pains. Several tests revealed that he had suffered a mild heart attack. He had open heart surgery soon after and he is now recovering at home from the ordeal. He is doing well, but it is a slow process.
The hardest part is that Brennis has no health insurance. As you can imagine, the bills are adding up. His friends are many, and they are doing what they can to raise funds for him. I agreed to post a ChipIn for him. You are welcome to donate if you would like.
Thanks to the “Brennis Bunch”, a group of friends who pitched in, Second April remained open every business day during the crisis. That’s the kind of comraderie we have here in the Canton Arts District. It is truly a supportive arts community on many levels.
Now you know why I love it here so much!
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