Sunday Snapshots

Today sounds like it was a very pleasant, if uneventful, Sunday for Miss Charlotte & Daisy Mouse, still vacationing down in Puerto Vallarta.

The girls had a lovely lunch at a seaside restaurant, renowned for its fresh fish. After lunch, they took a stroll, and Charlotte bought some delicious pineapple for their dessert.

Sunday Snapshots

Daisy was still full from lunch, so Charlotte polished off her share of the pineapple, too. The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing in their hotel room with the Sunday paper.

Just another happy, lazy Sunday down in paradise…

Happy Birthday, Jill!

Happy Birthday Jill

Before I sign off tonight, a quick shout-out to an old & dear friend down in Florida who had a birthday today. Last time we spoke, Jill had been volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary, and had bonded with a little owl—not an easy thing to do, I gather. So here you go, my dear—along with all my best wishes: Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating today, and have a truly fabulous year ahead!

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Tastefully Yours

With a group art event coming up on March 2nd (Art in Action—see the end of Thursday’s post), I’ve been thinking a lot this weekend about how I’m going to fill up the very generous amount of wall space I’ve been allotted to exhibit my artwork.

Cat Masterpieces

I’ve participated in art events before—enough to know that not everyone is likely to love all the art that’s on display. So I’ve decided not to second guess the public’s taste too much, and just have fun with it. Some of what I’ll show will be archival prints of my other (more serious) digital artwork. But a lot will be these hand-drawn cat doodles, and some of these will be larger pieces, in pretty vintage frames. Most of the artwork and prints will be for sale, including a lot of smaller pieces (with price tags sized to match). And much of the work will be new, created especially for this venue.

With these plans in mind, I went on a treasure hunt today for some unusual frames, and also for some art supplies—paper, pens, and paste—my very favorite kind of shopping.

Eating PasteSpeaking of paste (and of other people’s tastes), while I never ate that stuff back in kindergarten, I’m aware that a lot of kids do. —Play-doh also.

This calls to mind a party I gave, years ago, when a lot of my friends still had small children. I’d set up a special corner for them in my apartment, with all kinds of cool stuff to draw and play with. At one point I overheard one adult guest say to another, “Wow, Play-doh smells just the same as it did when we were kids!” The other parent replied, “Yeah, and have you tried it? It tastes just the same, too!” (That’s what happens when the hostess doesn’t get brunch on the table fast enough, I guess.)

(I don’t know why, but that just seemed so silly to me; I wanted to share it with y’all.)

More New Subscribers: Yippee!

Thanks AleceIt’s so nice to see familiar faces on my Subscribers List. A warm welcome to my good friend Alece, who signed up earlier today to receive email updates.

Alece is a whiz at so many things—design, illustration, art licensing, graphic recording, etc.. She also has a website, along with her friend Meghan, devoted to Dorothy’s Derby Chronicles, a very cool graphic novel aimed at tween girls who love roller derby.

I’d also like to say hi and welcome to my dear cousin Heather. One of the things I love about being on Facebook, is keeping in closer touch with family at a distance. I fell in love with Heather’s little dog Gigi, and her bird Niko, without ever meeting either one of them (though I sure wish I could!). I couldn’t resist doodling them here as well.

Gigi and Niko

If you’d like to subscribe to this blog, it’s easy to do: Just click on the word “Subscribe” in the menu bar, and fill in your email address. You’ll get an automated email when I post new content (which is daily, but at all different times of day). So that way you won’t miss anything. And of course you can unsubscribe at any time.

Thanks, and see you next time!

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Costumes and Customs

Frida Cat and Diego Mouse

Miss Charlotte has always loved this portrait of famed Mexican artists Frida & Diego, so when an invitation arrived for a costume party earlier this evening, there was no question that she and Daisy Mouse would go, and what they would wear.

Dressing like a native doesn’t necessarily mean thinking like one, however, so there was an awkward moment when they first crossed the threshold and took a look around. Despite the instructions to B.Y.O.M., was bringing Daisy such a good idea? And was carrying her in on top of a fruit bowl sending the wrong message?

House Party

Not to worry. I know it looks bad, but I have it on good authority (Daisy’s) that no mice were eaten. Those ones you see scampering about were apparently just the floor show.

More New Subscribers, Hoorah!

Welcome Hoboken

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Blackie was thrilled to find out that Susan from New Jersey and Aunt Carol from Wisconsin have just signed up to receive email updates—since this means his friends, Piper and Nicky, and his cousins Ranger and Molly, will be getting them, too.

It’s so nice to know we have friends out there, reading this. Thanks so much!

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Hidden Gems

Today’s doodle was prompted by an email from my-still-vacationing Dad down in Puerto Vallarta, in which he mentioned a rare mediocre lunch at a touristy joint. —This being in contrast to all the nice meals he’s had since arriving there, either cooking them himself, or at places like Daiquiri Dick’s and Melissa’s, where he’s been steered by the locals or by our friend Paul.

Hidden Gem Cafe

So I figured, Charlotte’s probably discovered (or been shown) a few hidden treasures herself. And here she is, making the rounds yesterday at lunchtime with a couple of her new mermice friends.

Doodle Development

Fresh Fish

Sometimes, a doodle idea springs forth pretty much intact (sorta like Athena, from the forehead of Zeus). Not bloody often, however. For those who enjoy hearing about how artists come up with the quirky things they do (and for Dad, who likes my looser scribbles), here’s a peek behind the curtain, showing how this particular doodle took shape.

Charlotte in a box

All the doodles I post here have some (tenuous) connection with reality, so that’s always the starting point—i.e., mining daily events for some kind of idea, no matter how flimsy.

The seed for this one was actually planted last week, when a box of some cool sketchbooks I’d ordered from Etsy showed up. The minute I unpacked the box, Charlotte settled into it for a nap—of course. And, while this happens all the time, it seemed funny to me: Here I was, just thrilled by the contents, and Charlotte (like all cats), was thrilled by (just) the container. Hmm, I thought…doodle material, maybe?

Since Charlotte is still on her Mexico vacation  (for purposes of this blog anyway), and I’d heard there was some nice snorkeling down there, I made a quick drawing of her, bedding down in a sunken pirate chest, having removed all its treasure.

Sleeping Charlotte

Cute, but too obscure?

I thought so, and cut bait. And doodled and posted something else.

Charlotte in Diving HelmetThen a few days pass, and I’m thinking, “I don’t have a better idea today…Maybe I’ll take another stab at this.”

So I scribbled out a new version, super loose, with old fashioned diving helmets, and add in Miss Daisy Mouse, saying something catty. Sort of funny, but weird: Charlotte’s markings, for one thing. Plus Daisy kinda looks like the Michelin man.

Then I get Dad’s email about his mediocre lunch and think, maybe I’ll shift the focus from sunken treasure to those “hidden gems” that only the locals know about.

Charlotte MermaidNow, this next one I like, but how did Charlotte suddenly turn into a mermaid? (Plus, wouldn’t it be fun to clutter it up with some extra stuff? —My specialty.)

So, while Charlotte goes and puts on her favorite swimsuit, I test-drive some other characters on some scraps of paper…a seahorse waiter, some fresh-mouthed fish, some choose-your-own lobsters.

Then I draw the final, scan and post.

So, that’s how it works. As one of my teachers back at Parsons used to say, when it comes to solving a drawing problem, “thinking time is wasted time.” Which means, whether I’m doing an illustration for a client or something less serious (like these cat doodles), sitting and thinking about an idea isn’t enough: I have to actively draw my way there. (Which is also to say, we go through a lot of paper around here.)

Seahorse Waiter

LobstersThe bittersweet ending to this story is, yeah, sometimes the early doodles I abandon are actually nicer (or fresher) than the ones I finish, but I won’t figure that out until later. In my commercial illustration work, the client helps steer the process, and that helps. But with this doodle thing, it’s just me. And while I love that, it also means, today I’m kinda preferring that very first doodle I did last week, with Charlotte sleeping in the treasure chest. Oh well!

A Shout-out to Erin and “Art in Action”

Welcome ErinI’m always thrilled when someone new subscribes to this blog. So a big thanks, and welcome, Erin!

Erin is the Advancement Coordinator at the Lakeside Legacy Foundation (where I have my studio), and one of the people there who is working hard to create a very cool event for First Friday next month.

“Art in Action,” is a once-a-year opportunity for the resident artists to not only show their work on the walls (as many of us do on our regular First Fridays), but to also set up a display table, do a demo or perform, give out info on classes they offer, show some of their students’ work, etc.. The resident musicians have been invited to participate also. It’s a family-friendly event with free appetizers and a cash bar. Doesn’t it sound like fun?

The “Art in Action” First Friday event will be held on March 2, 2012, from 5 o’clock to 8 PM. Lakeside Legacy Arts Park (known by many as the Dole Mansion) is located in Crystal Lake, IL, at 401 Country Club Road. For more information visit the Lakeside Legacy Foundation’s website, or contact 815-455-8000.

If you’re in the Chicago area or the Northwest suburbs, I hope you’ll come by on March 2nd. I’ll be there doodling, as well as showing my other work—illustration, design, and Web design—and look forward to seeing you!

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My Blue Valentine

First off,  a very warm welcome to The Daily Cat Doodle’s new subscribers. Thanks so much for stopping by, and for signing up to get updates. You definitely class the joint up!

Welcome Friends!

The theme of today’s doodle was inspired by a comment that came in early this morning, from my friend Linda, on a sushi doodle from last week. Thinking about sushi made me want some, too (despite that there was no place open to buy any, I was still in my PJs, etc.). So I figured, why not draw some?

Which kind of fit, given the lovely raw fish & dairy Deluxe Assortment that arrived late yesterday, from Charlotte down in Puerto Vallarta.

Blue Valentine

Blackie has been very blue, missing her, so the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. And, I have to say, it showed a touching amount of forethought on Charlotte’s part, since Parcel Post can (and in this case did) take quite a few days. So, thank you, Miss Kitty—your kind gesture will long be remembered by everyone here, I am sure!

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Love Comes On Little Cat Feet

Today’s doodle is dedicated to my friend Vicki, and to a lovely pair of friends who live with her, Ridley the dog and Sookie the cat, shown here snuggling in a hammock. (Of course Charlotte and Daisy Mouse want to climb in and join them. Who wouldn’t?)

Ridley and Sookie

Ridley and SookieThough I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Miss Sookie, Ridley and I go way back, and these two are one of my favorite couples ever. Romantic love is a great thing to celebrate on Valentine’s Day, but so is what these two have: a deep bond of affection that transcends big differences. (Yeah, like that kitten and crow video. I’m a sucker for that kind of thing, I’ll admit.)

Miss Ridley didn’t always have this kind of ‘luck with the kitties,’ however. And being a friendly soul, it clearly bothered her. In her own household (which, when I lived next door, included 3 wonderful cats), Vicki was her only true friend.

Then one day, love came “on little cat feet”—just like the fog in the Carl Sandburg poem. And these little feet belonged to Sookie, who had since joined the family.

Though I live far away now, I’ve loved watching Ridley and Sookie’s bond evolve via photos or videos Vicki’s kindly sent my way. Besides that whole kitten-and-crow thing, their friendship reminds me that even if love has dealt you a crummy hand in the past, or your social life sucks, or the cats you’d like to befriend shun you at every turn, a special someone like Sookie can pad on into your life at any moment, and change, well…everything.

So that’s my wish: May love, in one (or more) of its glorious, unexpected forms and varieties, find and delight us all today—and tomorrow, too. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Let Them Eat Cake

I know some of you are probably wondering, what’s going on with the family members who didn’t go to Mexico?

Everyone’s doing fine here, though Blackie’s missing Charlotte something awful. Keeping busy seems to help, so this morning he got up extra early and made a cake in honor of our old friend Martin (whose birthday it is), which we then all had the pleasure of consuming.

Happy Birthday Martin
(This is the sixth cake he’s made since Charlotte’s been gone, however, and we’re all getting kind of fat.)

After breakfast, Blackie made the mistake of catching up on this blog, in which his girl has been portrayed as having altogether too good a time down in Puerto Vallarta—most recently with a smooth-talking, guitar-strumming Don Juan.

So while Blackie still had his baking ingredients at the ready, he made another cake. He is now sitting at Dad’s desk, Googling, “how to ship baked goods to Mexico.”

Blackie Bakes a Cake

Knowing how Blackie feels about Charlotte, I’d asked him after she left, “Why didn’t you go along?” He’s hoping that when she finally does get home, she will have missed him too, and will no longer hiss at him when he enters the room. “Hope springs eternal,” as they say.

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The Owl and the Pussycat

Our girl Charlotte checked in a little late this morning, due to what she described as a “magical Saturday evening” last night.

Owl and Pussycat

It’s easy to picture: Two lovely senoritas out for a stroll, a guitar-strumming lothario, an impromptu cha-cha. Fortunately, Daisy Mouse kept her head (and all her other body parts), and both girls made it back to the hotel in time to watch the sun rise.

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Empress Carlota

Today’s doodle was inspired by an exchange yesterday with my friend Paul. Since he has been to Puerto Vallarta and I have not, he kindly briefed me regarding some landmarks I might like to include in these doodles while Dad is vacationing there—specifically the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is topped by an intricate crown.

Puerto Vallarta Crowned Cathedral

Crowned Church by Dad

Later Dad sent me a snapshot of the cathedral’s tower, just barely peeking out over the buildings and trees, taken from his window.

Imagine how thrilled Charlotte was to learn that the crown atop this beautiful landmark was modeled after one worn by the Empress Carlota—AKA Princess Charlotte of Belgium!

A paparazzo subsequently captured this gag shot of our girl on the hotel balcony, leaning out in front of the cathedral…looking every inch the royal princess that she is.

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I Hear The Mermice Singing

Charlotte loves Puerto Vallarta, but those email issues she had yesterday were bound to make her feel a bit disconnected and homesick, so far away from friends, family and her favorite cat box.

Mermaids

Happily, while out for a late night swim, she met some affable mermice in a hidden cove and a similar mood. —One of those serendipitous moments that all travelers look forward to, where they’re reminded of what a small and friendly place the world really is.

 

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