I gotcher Cat Magnets Right Here!

Last night I made a bunch of these magnets with Tilly, one of the cats from Cat Scratchin'.  Love them!  Last year I out-sourced the manufacture of the magnets for the Dog Scratchin' book. They were ok, but these are better, heavier, and ta-dah~ hand-made. I actually love the process, I've been making different magnets from my artwork for several years and so I've gotten better/quicker at the assembling. The book is moving right along. Many of you have responded with your stories, and photos, or both. Having the stories and additional photos really helps me in the drawing process. In fact, there will be some new art pieces for some of these kitties because I now know more about them and that informs my interpretation onto scratchboard.
There are still a few that I'm waiting for. If I know cats and people I expect some of you may wait until the last moment before June 15th. That's ok. I understand. It doesn't thrill me, but I understand. This is going to be a really great book, I'm thankful for all y'all's participation. Those who read this blog who are not going to have their cat/s in the book? I do take on commissions and I think I'm very reasonable in price so give me a holler.

Calling Cats/Herding Cats

Well, I hate to do this, but I've been working my scratchin' fingers to the bone and there are still a few cats out there for me to draw so I'm going to start callin' y'all out. I also am lacking many stories for cats that I've drawn (thanks for sending the photos in a timely way).  The above page is a spoof (thanks to Catherine Bass for the idea last night) of what your spot in the book could potentially look like; no story, no owner photo, and a generic outlined cat. Is this what you want? You paid me money, and I aim to please all or most of you...so here's the deal, I will give you until June 15th to send the items I need from you. I hate to be harsh (because I'm not...) but to put it in simple terms, I will have to pull you and your cat from the book if I do not receive the items outstanding from you (and some of you owe me photo, cat name, story, uh, everything) by that date, period. And, sorry, no refunds.  I have drawn over 60 cats, and I'm so happy about that. Those who haven't sent this stuff, (you know who you are) and for one reason or another you keep putting it off, don't worry, I'm not mad, I'm just desperate because I must finish so the book can go to print.
Here are the cats and what I need from each: And please, if you've sent me these things already and I've missed it, or lost it in my email files, please tell me. I would love to be wrong about the following list.
Al-Story and Owner Photo 
Boo-Story and Owner Photo 
Finn-Story and Owner Photo
Fiona-Story and Owner Photo
Frank-Photo to draw from, Story, and Owner Photo 
Hunter-Story and Owner Photo
Itty-Story and Owner Photo 
Knievel-Story and Owner Photo
 Lana-Story and Owner Photo
Lilsagarde-Story and Owner Photo
 Miles-Story and Owner Photo 
Mr. Boots-Story and Owner Photo
 Sam-Story and Owner Photo
Sebastian-Story and Owner Photo
Smokey-Story and Owner Photo 
Sweet Pea-Story and Owner Photo 
Sydney-Story and Owner Photo
Varla-Photo, Story and Owner Photo
Zoe-Story and Owner Photo
+ Aaron who owes me everything including the cat's name.

Gettin' There...Almost!

Just posted a new update at kickstarter--for backers only this time. The above photo has the cat scratchboards so far. I've got three more on the drawing table in progress. Only have those three and about ten others to draw before doing all of the tedious edits, page arranging and then sending it off to the designer.  There have been numerous warnings about the weather today; severe thunderstorms, maybe tornado's and such. I've spent a lot of time today planning for the worst, and thinking of what is most important to me. Guess what that might be? I've scanned all of the above into the computer (and will probably send them off to dropbox for safe storage), I've got a handy dandy plastic tub waiting for all of the finished artwork, my big three ring notebook that has all of the information I've gotten from all y'all so far, and my laptop. So, just for laughs, you can picture me later today, tonight, or tomorrow, hiding out, sitting in the bathtub with Opal Mae the cat,a plastic tub full of art, paper and computer. And oh yeah, maybe a fresca, flashlight, and my smart phone. In case you think I'm being over dramatic, I'm listening to the radio and they're talking about a tornado on the ground in Oklahoma City...just a couple of hops, skips and a jump or two over the border from NW Arkansas. Hoping for the best. Whoo Hoo!

The End Is In Sight For Kickstarter Cat Scratchin Book Project

Here's what I have so far...plus there are 3 in progress on the drawing table. I've graduated to the second tier table. There are about 20+ more cats to draw and I am looking forward to each of them. I'm right on schedule, in fact, ahead of schedule for now. Still looking for a few cats who have not checked in with me...yet. I am hopeful that my pleading will prod those folks to get me the info. A gal can dream, eh?
These are all 5x7 Ampersand Scratchboard drawings. Working on 2-3 drawings at once has made me a scratchboard drawing machine...in a good way.
I'm happy, happy, happy. And oh yeah, since it's all over the place on the webs, Happy Mother's Day all y'all. I'll just say my relationship with my mother was "complicated" and so today is not so much a holiday for me, but a day of remembering how hard it was. Not really a "Hallmark" event for me. Oh well, I know I'm not the only one. And the "good old days are good because they're gone."

Busy Scratchin' Cats...

The above is my current favorite Cat Scratchin' that was just finished yesterday. This is Lex and she enjoys going to the beach, but only in the Winter, as she does not enjoy dogs or strangers. Just one of many of the curious, quirky cats that will be in the book with their stories. I'm loving this project!

What A Week

There is so much going on I've just been keeping my head down and scratchin' away at cats. Here are a few finished or almost finished pieces. (one of them is Socks Clinton, which I did just for fun, from photos on the internet. Sadly, not in the book.) I usually keep 3 going at once and I can say that things are right on schedule. There are a few cats whose info, stories or photos I have not received yet. Rest assured I will be emailing those folks this week and onward until I get what I need.
Without trying to make too much of it and my attachment to it, the events in Boston have really shaken me. I used to live in Central Square Cambridge, on Mass. Ave. I had a favorite 7-11 which was on the way to my work at the YWCA right around the corner. I'm guessing this might be the 7-11 the bombers were photographed in. I spent a lot of time in many of the neighborhoods that were directly affected by the bombing and bombers. Newbury St. is still one of my favorite Sunday strolls, and Copley Sq. my all time favorite downtown area. I never attended the marathon (too many people) But my time living in the Boston area remains a great memory and I try to get back to visit my beloved 'family' there as often as possible. I really hate that this happened to them, but I'm also proud of their response. It is one tough city, with amazingly resilient people. Things have changed because of this, and maybe we will all be a bit more suspicious and scared for a bit.  I believe though, we will just get stronger and will continue doing what we do so well. I know I will keep on making art and loving my life. Thanks for checking in, I hope all is good with all of you.

Art Making And Long Trips

I got to Austin last night after a long drive and will be here for a few days. I purposely didn't bring any scratchboards with me, just a sketchbook and a pen. I may do some drawings later, for fun. Currently I'm deep into doing the cat drawings for the Cat Scratchin' book. To answer a question about my process, here goes--I usually have two or three different drawings going at the same time--that's it. Work a little here, set it aside, scratch on another, back to the first, and then on to yet another. While that may seem like it lacks focus, it actually seems to help me to stay interested. I find I get a bit bored doing the same thing for any length of time. Typical Aries behavior. The above is the beginning of a long haired Tortie. I still have much to do and I've decided this time to not share the completed artworks, but just wait until the book is finished and out.  So, it's blurry because it's a phone photo, you get the idea though, right? I'm off to deliver art and visit with friends today.