Cats!

Is it any wonder I like to paint cats?  Got some good inspiration here! ❤️ 

World War 2 Letters from my Dad

Here we go, on a long journey together. These are my Dad’s love letters to my Mom through the entire span of World War II.  I plan to post these on an Instagram account I set up for this purpose and here on my blog. 

On Instagram, follow ‘GreatestGenDaughter,’ For the first few times I will also post here.

When they died several years ago after 76 YEARS of marriage, we found a suitcase STUFFED with his letters.  It felt like a huge burden at the time and I wasn’t able to face it, but now I am healed and not so tender, so I can think about it without bursting into tears.  They deserve the honor as well as all of our country’s veterans.

My plan is to publish several a week.  Once finished, I hope to put it into book form and plan to donate the letters to the World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Dad’s first letter, dated September 6, 1942.  Little did they know that just over a year later they would be married.  But that would spoil the story, right? 😉

Dearest Priscilla,

I closed you will find the pictures we took at Lake Coeur d’Alene and also a couple of me in uniform.  (I hope you like them.)

If this letter doesn’t make sense in different places you will just have to overlook them, because they’re laying all kinds of different songs on the piano here and I can’t very well concentrate on two things at once.  Even though I’m trying to concentrate on this letter.

You mentioned in your letter that you had a narrow escape at the Lake.  I’m not trying to be critical or anything but it seems to me that some of you could have used more common sense, if you ask me.  But it’s all over with now so we’d better forget about it.  Maybe next time you’ll (he inserted ‘all’ later, with a little editing ‘carrot’) know better.

Well, I’m glad to know you’re back in school and that you are still holding your job.  The one thing I’ll miss is the merry-go-round football game.  I haven’t missed one yet.  Even if I can’t be there I’m still rooting for Rogers to win.  If they can’t well then we’ll have to let NC win.

Honey I’ve got about a million things to say, but I can’t think of them all so I’ll take one thing at a time.  You asked me if I remember the first night I was out with you.  How could I forget it?  I’ll never forget it as long as I live; most of my fortune came true so far and to tell you the truth I think of you all the time and wish I could be with you again, but I I guess that won’t be possible again for a long time.  Maybe this don’t mean anything to lots of people but to me you are the one and only one for me.  I didn’t knows it at the time but now that we are separated I think I fell for you and fell hard.  At least that is what my heart seems to say.  

Well, honey I’ll write you again in a few days so until then I must say good-bye though I hate to.

With all my Love,

Martin

P.S. Write to me soon.

And MY postscript is that they met about a month before he left for boot camp in San Diego.  Also, he called her ‘honey’ here.  He called her honey all their long lives. ❤️ 

Giveaway Special on my Website

‘Ya know... they look different from me, but we can still be friends.  I choose to be kind.’

GIVEAWAY UNTIL TOMORROW (SUNDAY).  If you purchase anything on my website ($35.00 or more) you can choose a free holographic sticker.  Just tell me which one you want in a message when you check out.  These Pippy’s Adventures paintings just happen to be $35.00.

colorcatstudios101.etsy.com

These are some of the holographic stickers I’ve got on my site.

Origin of Cat and Bird Paintings

Where did all these Pippy’s Adventures watercolor paintings come from?  I painted this red painting, a big acrylic that’s 20”x30” maybe eight years ago.  I named it Big Furry Bird. 🙂

It sold and I have always wanted to revisit it with more work.  Then our son Noah got this cat Pippy - THE MOST TROUBLE TO EVER HAVE BEEN BORN WITH FUR AND FOUR FEET.  His escapades inspired me to get back to it.  So... ‘Pippy’s Adventures’ were born.  

My desire was to make political art in this turbulent time, but I chose to make cheery art that speaks in a different way.  If a cat can be friends with birds - then I think we can be kind to everyone.  Let’s be kind.  I think for now - these are just right.  With all the covid troubles we just need some happy thoughts.

As you can see by my fingers holding this one - they’re tiny! They’re either 2 1/2”x3 1/2” , 4x6” or 5x7”.  Priced for everyone and will fit everywhere. :)

And remember, if you spend a $35.00 minimum on my website until TOMORROW, you can choose one of my cool hologram stickers and I’ll send it along with your purchase. 🙂 

www.colorcatstudios101.etsy.com

Here are some of my stickers.  They’re holographic stickers made from my paintings. :)

Free Sticker with Purchase

Now through Sunday! Buy one of my paintings for $35.00 or more and get a free sticker of your choice off my website. Just mention which sticker you want when you make your painting purchase. 

COOL!!!  

colorcatstudios101.etsy.com

Here’s another painting in my Pippy’s Adventures series.  If cats and birds can love each other, then WE can love each other too.

Cat and Bird Painting

Pippy’s Adventures continued.  If a cat and bird can be kind to each other, then we can be kind to everyone as well.  Let’s do it, shall we?

Many of these beautiful paints are handmade and very special indeed.  The flow from one to the next and pattern of colors makes for a charming little piece.  I’ve got the entire series, many of which I haven’t posted, on my website at: 

colorcatstudios101.etsy.com

Birds and Cats!

Here’s the continuing saga of Pippy the Adventuresome cat and his friends!

He does just want to come for a visit!

These are very special paints - many of which are handmade watercolors.  You can see that many of them are very shiny - they’re full of mica!  There are also some paints called ‘color shift,’ which change color under different light or the change of an angle.

This is one in a series of Pippy the Cat paintings which I have for sale at:

ColorCatStudios101.etsy.com

New Bird/Cat Series

This is the third in a series I’m working on called ‘Pippy’s Adventures.’  What do you think is going to happen as the story unfolds?  You can find my previous two paintings down in my timeline and tomorrow I’m going to spend the day photographing, editing and putting them in my Etsy shop!

New Bird Painting

Birds on a wire.  I adore the paints marching across and changing colors.  I think the birds do too!

I have ALL KINDS of beliefs about what’s going on in the world right now; many are very STRONG.  But right now, just for this little bird moment, let’s be happy.

Comparing Acrylic to Watercolor

Do you prefer one over the other?

First painting:  Acrylic

Second painting:  Watercolor and ink

For me watercolors tend to be more ‘free.’ I like to quickly draw, quickly paint and have it be a little crazy.  

With acrylics I get a little pickier and can spend a LOT of time on them.  You can see that the BEGGAR’S face is detailed, but the farther you get from his face, the wilder it gets.  That’s simply my style, and helps you focus on what’s important instead of, say, his tail.  So... which do you like better? :)

Cat Painting Finished!!

May I present my newest painting!  Once more I have given birth.  That’s what it feels like! 

This is ‘The Beggar.’ You can find many works like this on my website.  Doesn’t he have a beautiful face? ❤️ 

This is an acrylic on canvas.  I used a photo of our cat, sitting on my studio floor, begging for me to love him. 

There.  Everything cleaned up. :)

New Painting Coming!

Bright!  No filter needed! Watch for my new painting in the next couple days.  When I’ve got two or more brushes loaded simultaneously it’s a good thing.  It means I’ve done some serious planning and pre-frenzy work and now it’s all out.

Aren’t these colors luscious?

 Stay tuned!