Category: Events and Happenings

“The Mystery of Cats” Gallery Exhibit

The Mystery of Cats painting by BZTAT
“The Mystery of Cats” painting by BZTAT

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!

 

Creative Cardboard – A Fun and Adventurous Project!

creative cardboard collage installation by BZTAT
“Creative Cardboard” Collaborative art installation by BZTAT

I have done collaborative art projects before, but never with such a loose format, and never with cardboard. So I wasn’t really sure what would happen when I decided to do a “Creative Cardboard” live collaborative art installation on Canton’s First Friday two days ago.

I was plArt student paintingeasantly surprised by the creativity and enthusiasm of my “collaborators”!

We had a large crowd of people come through the Creative Ohio Gallery, and many stopped to contribute some creativity to the installation. These two young ladies were some of the most creative of the bunch.

We started with a loosely constructed jumble of cardboard that was build to have some 3-D qWork in progress BZTATualities. I put some base coats of paint on to give us a background and starting point.

Later, I added color to the background, and then I started adding the pieces created by my “collaborators”. Their pieces were applied to the cardboard with permanent “glue dots” that enhanced the 3-D qualities.

Work in progress BZTAT

We had artists of all ages contribute, adults as well as youngsters, and all expressed exuberant joy in the process. I knew it would be fun, but I had no idea how fully involved in the project some would become!

The end result was a playful microcosm of a very artful city where people enjoy creation just for the fun of it. I think that describes Canton. Does it describe your town?

"Creative Cardboard" Collaborative art installation by BZTAT

What creative projects have you done to involve others in a fun and artful creative process?

The “Creative Cardboard’ piece will be on display at the Creative Ohio Gallery at 310 4th St. NW, Canton, OH for a couple of weeks or so, maybe longer. I will post an update if it is moved to another location.