Copycat

Blog, I've talked before about how I am so often inspired by other artists when I craft stuff of my own. It's hard not to be inspired by really cool art and want to try your hand at similar work in your own style. That's definitely the origin of this watercolor I did yesterday which I call "Cat-a-chrome."

The inspiration for this painting was the work of Drew Strouble aka Catman Drew (I love that name...I keep singing it in my head in my Bob Seger voice).  I was introduced to Drew by the awesome Animal Planet Show "Must Love Cats."  A lot of Drew's work is very realistic--truly gorgeous--and way beyond my abilities.  But his "Colorful Cats" were featured on the show and I thought perhaps I could manage doing something like those stylized, psychedelic felines. 

I worked awhile on developing a style of my own for the cartoonized cats.  Then I figured I'd try a classic three-by-three arrangement and sketched them on watercolor paper.  I did final drawing in felt tip pen, then did the painting, then went over the pen a second time.  The painting came out pretty well!  I haven't done any watercolor painting in a long time, and it was really fun to explore the medium again.

And you know me, Blog, I'm always happy to have more cats in the house...even the 2-D kind!  Thanks, Catman Drew, for the inspiration.  I hope this post will send some cat art lovers your way!