CAT ART SHOW Pieces Released for Preview!

Last Thursday I wrote about the first ever Cat Art Show taking place in Los Angeles this month including an interview with curator Susan Michals and quotes from several of the artists. This morning a large number of the pieces  have been made public, allowing people to express their interest in making a purchase. So if you’ve got a little holiday money burning a hole in your pocket, don’t forget, a percentage of proceeds go to the all-cat rescue group Stray Cat Alliance of Los Angeles!

I’m excited to be able to share with you a few of my favorite works – a mere taste from what was released today (you’ll be happy to know black cats are well represented!). Unfortunately we still haven’t seen what Brandon Boyd (of rock band Incubus) has created, he’s playing it close to the chest, but we have a lot of other great pieces to share with you including Shepard Fairey’s work of art.  Enjoy the show!

“Pom Pom”
Artist: Katherine Streeter. Mixed media on stretched canvas (acrylic, ink, collage) 10″ X 10″ ($300-$999)

[I’m no art expert but there’s something about the colors and shapes in this “Pom Pom” (above) that soothes me and makes me happy. I could definitely see this hanging in my apartment.]

“Radical Cat”
Artist: Shepard Fairey. mixed media(spray paint and acrylic paint) on collaged paper
18″ X 24″ ($1,000 – $4,999)

[This is not the first time Shepard has created artwork featuring felines , Cat To Run for Russian President and Hello Kitty, to name just a few. Interesting it turns out Fairey is actually allergic to cats, making one wonder about his fasciation with the species. As far the piece for the Cat Art Show he told Time Magazine,“Black cats have been unfairly vilified.” So he “depicted a black cat as a member of the Black Panther Party…just as superstitious people believe black cats are a threat, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover stated the Black Panther Party was the ‘greatest threat to internal security of the country.’ Likewise, cats are largely independent, and for those who find that quality about them unsettling, Fairey says his painting portrays how ‘aspects of independence can be celebrated by some and be seen as terrifying to others.'” Can always expect a deep and thoughtful explanation from Fairey!]

The proud (but nameless) muse in front of Joshua Petker’s piece, “Kevin the Ship Cat.” Oil on canvas, 30” x 30” ($5,000-$9,999)

[We may not know Joshua’s cat’s name, but  I’m a fan this self-proclaimed self-taught artist who started out in the graffiti merely due to his his response to an interviewer who asked what he would save in a fire. He replied, “my daughters, my cats, my journals.” pI also love that his name has “pet” in it!]  

“Glitch Cat (Morris)”
Artist: Jill Greenberg
Artist Proof, archival pigment print
41″ x 50″ Edition of 3 ($5,000 – $9,999)

[Artist Jill Greenberg is a long time photographer of animals from cats to horses. If you’re a cat lover – as I’m certain you are – you’ll be sure to recognize her advertising work from the very clever Fresh Step print campaign which you can see here and here]

“Angora”
Artist: Dean Russo
Mixed Media on wood
18″ X 24″ X 2″ ($1,000 – $4,999)

[A Brooklyn pop artist, this is how Dean describes his work’s purpose on his FaceBook page, “The connection between us and our pets often defies words, but through the use of bright colors and abstract design I convey the happiness and joy they bring to our lives.”]

“Billy Raised by Raccoons”
Artist: Rachel Schlueter
Oil on wood
12″x 14″ ($300 – $999)

 [What I’m dying to know is if Billy the cat was truly raised by raccoons. Does this make me  naive?****I just heard back from the artist and Billy was her cat and he was in fact raised by raccoons! I want to know more!*** Rachel Schlueter is a self-taught oil painter and mixed media artist who has made a career of painting cats and has five of her own (yay!). She knew cats would be a part of her life at a young age and says on her blog, “At four years old, I knew two things were paramount, those were cats and art!” and that hasn’t changed.” I love that she had her priorities straight at age four!]

“Godfather”
Artist: Steve Schapiro
Silver gelatin photograph
16″ X 20″ ($1,000 – $4,999)

 [This photo is from an iconic opening scene of the Godfather while he pets the grey cat through his monolog bout friendship. Artist Steve Schapiro has photographed many celebrities and even published a photo book titled “The Godfather Family Album.”]

“King”
Artist: Diane Hoeptner
Oil on Wood
16″ X 16″ ($1,000 – $4,999)

[Diane specializes in paintings of flora, cats and dogs. In some of her most recent work like “King,” she’s begun combining cats and flowers. Her feline art has had the distinction of being featured in the inaugural issue of “Modern Cat Magazine.”]

“40 Cats in 4 Directions”
Artist: Rob Reger
Acrylic and oil on canvas
32″ X 32″ ($1,000 – $4,999)

 [According to the Cat Art Show Facebook page, this pieces was made by Emily the Strange creator Rob Reger. And the super cool thing about it? It spins!]

As Cat Art Show curator Susan Michals reiterated to the “Time” magazine interviewer, ”I want to be able to expose more people to art, and if a cat is the way to get them to look at different forms of art, then that’s how I have to do it.” I couldn’t agree more!

If you are interested in a particular piece for purchase, please send an email to: susan@catartshow.com