MY ART EVERY DAY BLOG: February 2007

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

"Jack" photo	"Jack" Step 1 - drawing, 10" x 8"

This is a commission portrait of Jack, an 11 year old rottweiler. The photograph was taken by his owner. My first step is to tone my paper and sketch in the dog.     Comments

"Fire Cat" archive photo	"Fire Cat" Step 1 - drawing, A 13" x 13"

Above you will see an archival image of the Kennebunk 'fire cat.' My interpretation of the image will be part of the Brick Store Museum's exhibition A Brush with History: Artistic Interpretations of Archival Images. The show is an exhibition of artwork inspired by archival prints from the museum's vast collection of vintage photographs and classic postcards. Local artists, including myself, have selected images for their inspiration and singular interpretations.

The 'fire cat' is perfect for me! I will post more about the cat later. As you can see I have the image drawn, ready to pastel. I wanted to have some faint imagery in the background to hint at the fact that this is the Kennebunk fire cat, that survived the Great Fire of 1903. The options I considered were to transpose part of the the actual fire scene in the background, incorporate fire fighting implements like a water bucket and fireman's helmet, put shadows with flames and the silhouette of a fireman, and lastly include part of the Davis Shoe Factory where the fire started and where the cat lived.

Background Information:

May 3, 1903 fire took the largest employer in town, the Davis Shoe Factory. It also consumed the light plant and many of the buildings at the bridge in Kennebunk, at the intersections of Main, Water and Storer Streets. No lives were lost but the impact on the economy of Kennebunk was significant. Photographer B.J. Whitcomb was at the scene of the fire and captured the devastation with his camera including this image of the cat. This stray gray and white cat miraculously survived the blaze and became a symbol of hope for the future of Kennebunk.     Comments

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

"Fire Cat" Step 2 drawing B	"Fire Cat" Step 3 soft pastel	"Fire Cat" Step 4 soft pastel

Today I worked on the Fire Cat painting and decided to add part of the Davis Shoe Factory buildling in the upper right background.

My next step was to begin to block in the background building and negative space with color. I then started to add underpainting tones to the cat in varying shades and colors of gray, and then proceeded to add the foreground color to the mix. I chose blue as blue is the symbol of hope and new beginnings. This completed Step 3. I did not work on the eyes, I will save them for last.

My next Step was to begin to lighten the background building to make it fade away. I layered 3 differnt shades of violet to push the building back and then scumbled a light purple pastel over the whole building to blurr it more. This is where I have stopped for today...     Comments

More Notes About the Fire Cat:

According to a newspaper article... The big gray and white tiger cat showed marks and singes resulting from the flames. He was usually an immaculate cat and good natured. His age was unknown. He lived primarily at the shoe shop, the grist mill and a few of the nearer stores in the downtown Kennebunk area. He liked where he lived and could not be persuaded to leave. During the fire, which started in the shoe factory, he stayed until the last possible minute, then 'calmly stalked away.' A fund was raised for his perpetual care... He was called the "valuable and steadfast friend of the ruined four corners." He survived the fire and became a celebrity of sorts, and was written about in the newspaper. His image was found in a collage at the Kennebunk Central Fire Station, about 15 years ago, centered in a group of photos of the fire of 1903. He indeed is a symbol of hope.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

I have decided I like step 3 background better than I like the image blurred... What do you think?     Comments

Friday, February 9, 2007

"Fire Cat - Step 5" soft pastel... I worked on the background building again this morning...     Comments

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

"Kennebunk Fire Cat" soft pastel, 13"x13"... I worked more on the background and building and I'm happy with it. I also finished the cat, and I am very pleased with it, too. Fire Cat Article in The Tourist News April 2007
    Comments

Saturday, February 17, 2007

"Jack - Step 2" soft pastel... I began blocking in the first layer of color on the dog today, including the background, sienna and black tones and shades in the dog... I have a long way to go!     Comments

Monday, February 19, 2007

"Jack - Step 3" soft pastel... I continued blocking in the first layer of color on Jack and then proceeded to complete the painting today! I will live with the portrait for a few days to make any necessary adjustments...     Comments

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

"Jack" soft pastel, 10"x8"... I made some fine adjustments and he is finished!     Comments

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

"Watchful Eyes" original pastel painting, 15"x19", 2005	"Watchful Eyes" 1st state after re-working soft pastel, 15"x19"

This painting, Watchful Eyes, has been in my studio sitting on the floor for months. I have never been happy with it, but I haven't attempted to change it until today. I scrubbed more color over the entire surface, adjusting colors and values and creating more texture than in the original piece. This is an African leopard, which has a smoother coat than the Asian leopard, however, I didn't like the tight pattern of spots and neat, flat-colored coat. The photo I used for reference had too many lighted-out spots without color, and I was a slave to working with it. I wanted to get the feeling of a soft, furry coat, apply more muted colors and create more of a three-dimensional feeling. The background colors are cooler and more suited to the subject, and also include subject colors. Likewise the cat has some greens in it, however it may be a little difficult to see on the computer. The tree branch that the cat is lying on was also reworked entirely and is muted and darkened. What do you think?     Comments

Thursday, February 22, 2007

"Watchful Eyes" soft pastel, 15"x19"... I made some fine adjustments adding a shadow area on the cat's belly and chest area... Thanks again, Pat!     Comments

Monday, February 26, 2007

"Watchful Eyes" re-worked soft pastel, 15"x19"	"Three Holsteins - Step 1" soft pastel, 12"x12"

More minor adjustments to the muzzle of Watchful Eyes, then on to a new cow painting. This new series will be of Holsteins. Here I started by blocking in the background and then working dark to light blocking in the cow bodies. The eyes and noses I left untouched at this point. I did a second layer over the background/negative space to tone it down. More tomorrow...     Comments

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

"Three Holsteins - Step 2" soft pastel, 12"x12"... I continued to work on the three cows today. I refined the bodies, legs and heads, plus I painted in the eye, nose and hoof details. I will probably make some fine adjustments over the next few days...     Comments

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

"The artist and Leopardo" ... Here is a photo of me with the cat! I delivered him today to the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce. Check my Exhibits page for up to date information on the PAWSitively Ogunquit Programs to be held throughout the spring, including the kick-off Catillion (details not available at this time), summer and fall, including the auction.     Comments

Back to My Art Everyday Blog

---

© Copyright 2000-2007 Carol Santora