Tag: cat drawing

Born Free: Feral Cat Drawing #1

Gray white feral cat drawing
"Born Free: Feral Cat Drawing #1" Drawing by BZTAT

As a child, I read all the National Geographic stories about Jane Goodall and her research about chimps in the wild. I read all the James Herriot books, and I was crazy in love with the movie Born Free.

“Born Free” – Written by John Barry

Born free, as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart

Live free and beauty surrounds you
The world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star

Stay free, where no walls divide you
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
‘Cause you’re born free

(Stay free, where no walls divide you)
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
‘Cause you’re born free

I have always loved animals, and I have always been perplexed with the fantasies of wild animals being domesticated, and of domesticated animals living in the wild.

Both fantasies are just that – fantasies. Neither scenario really works well.

Through the convergence of different factors in my life, I have become involved in a rescue effort of the latter scenario – domestic animals unwittingly being thrust into living in the wild, and coping with the resulting consequences. A friend who lives in the country has encountered a feral cat colony developing on her property.The colony is growing, and coming close to getting out of control.

My childhood wonder still exists, and I want to believe that these cats are “Born free, as free as the wind blows, as free as the grass grows…” But wisdom gained through experience tells me different. Domestic breeds are not really made for life in the wild, and feral cats need attention despite their wild nature.

I have agreed to assist my friend with trapping the cats so that they can be spayed/neutered to prevent further overpopulation of feral cats. I am learning about the process of TNR and have been offered traps by a seasoned feral cat rescuer. The process of trapping begins next week. I have already captured 5 kittens and taken them to a shelter for rehab and adoption. The adult cats will be trapped, neutered and returned to their habitat, as they are not good candidates for adoption.

I thought I would share the inspiration from the rescue process via artwork. Each day for the next few weeks, I will feature a drawing of one of the cats and auction it here on my blog. The proceeds will help me have a bit of income to sustain me through the effort (I still have to pay my bills).

I also have a rescue fund set up if you would like to donate to the rescue effort. You can donate via the ChipIn widget in the sidebar. Thank you for your help!

Today’s drawing is of one of the kittens that was taken to the Tuscarawas County Humane Society cat shelter.

Here is the info on today’s drawing:

5″ X7″ Prismacolor Pencil and Marker Drawing on  paper by artist BZTAT

Comes with an acid free mat ready for an 8″ x 10″ frame

Leave bids in increments of $5 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $40 USD

Shipping: $8 USA $18 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy this piece now for $75 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and send a payment of $75 + shipping via the ChipIn widget in the right sidebar.

Highest bid at 10:00 pm EST on Sunday 2/19/12 wins the piece.

Winning bidder: make payment of bid + shipping to PayPal  to Paypal using email address bztat at bztat.com.

Please allow 4 weeks for USA shipping.

Ice, Ice Kitty!

Drawing of a cat for stainglass design
"Ice, Ice Kitty!" Drawing by BZTAT

We have an annual Ice Festival in the Canton Arts District on the first First Friday of the new year. In the past, I have carved ice sculptures for the event, but this year I am staying indoors. I am still making an ice cat, though!

This year, I am working with Glassmith Artists to create an ice cat out of glass! We are creating the above image as a stain glass artwork.

If you are in Canton, be sure to stop by tonight and see the “Ice, Ice Kitty!”  at the Creative Ohio Gallery. if not, you can follow the evening’s events on the Creative Ohio Facebook page.

Also, if you would like to buy a print or the original artwork, please contact me. The original is $60 + shipping. Prints (to fit 8″ x 10″ frame) are $25 + shipping. The stain glass piece will also be available for purchase at a later date.

Happy new Year and stay warm!

December Doodles: Art Imitating Life Imitating Art

Orange cat imitating art
"Art Imitating Life Imitating Art" Doodle Drawing by BZTAT

Awhile back, a Facebook friend bought one of my paintings. Yesterday, she posted a photo of her cat posing in front of the painting. That photo inspired today’s doodle!

Cat imitating artA doodle, according to Wikipedia, is “an unfocused drawing made while a person’s attention is otherwise occupied. Doodles are simple drawings that can have concrete representational meaning or may just be abstract shapes.” My doodles often have some focus to them, but they are less formal than a regular drawing. Sometimes the images are somewhat cartoonish and sometimes they are just scribbles and line formations.

For each day from Dec. 1 – 15 (2011) I will make a December Doodle drawing and hold an auction for it here on the blog. These drawings will make nice gifts, and if you want, I will gift wrap and mail to whomever you would like the gift(s) to go. And since animals always are in greater need as winter takes hold, I will donate 10% of the proceeds to a registered animal charity.

Which charity? You help me decide! Post the charity that you would like me to support on my Facebook Fanpage, and I will randomly select from all the submissions on Dec. 15, 2011. (Charities must be for animal rescue, in the United States, and must have a 501(c) non-profit status.)

Reading lots of things about prohibition and caution of taking antibiotics during pregnancy. Found here antibioticspro.com , that it is not prohibited, but that it is better to use them with care. That the only important thing is how you use it and in what dosing, in this case they are completely safe. Is that truly so? Any advice?

If you would like to bid on this drawing, simply place your bid in the comments below.

Here are the deets on today’s doodle:

8 1/2″ x 11″ Unframed Prismacolor Pencil Doodle Drawing on paper by artist BZTAT

Leave bids in increments of $5 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $40 USD

Shipping: $8 USA $18 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy the piece now for $75 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and send a payment of $75 + shipping via Paypal using the email address bztat at bztat.com.

Highest bids at 10:00 pm EST on Wednesday 12/14/11 wins the auction.

Winning bidders: make payment of bid + shipping to Paypal using email address bztat at bztat.com.