WILLOW by Marylou Shipman. Watercolor/gouage. ©
Hello Paul…I love your photo of the Hemingway cat…the Siamese is truly a regal creature. I am a great admirer of cats and I have done several interpretations of Ocean Grove felines in watercolor/gouache. In the past, you took an interest in my painting of Maggie the cat (beloved Ocean Grove feline). I so appreciated the fact that you shared my artwork on your blog. I thought I would submit my latest painting of “Willow”…taking a nap on her Franklin Avenue porch. I tried to capture that “Leave me alone, I’m napping” look in her eyes.
Sincerely yours,
MaryLou
Mary Lou—this is a fine painting of a cute cat. She is the epitome of comfort—an inspiration for humans, especially those who have access to an Ocean Grove porch. Sometimes I take a walk in the Grove and pass a person who is curled up on their porch in a comfortable chair, reading a book, taking a nap, or sipping a drink. Oftentimes their legs are up on a cushion or tucked underneath. They seem so content, and I am jolted–because it reminds me that Eileen and I need to spend more time relaxing on our porch. We need to stop and smell the flowers and the ocean breezes, like Willow.
Thanks for sharing with the Blogfinger audience.
CAT POWER is the name given to recordings by singer/songwriter Charlene Marie Marshall, a Southern soul performer. This is from her 7th album —-recorded in Memphis in 2006 to great acclaim. Other than her stage name, this music has nothing to do with cats. But like so much of the music which we post on Blogfinger, it’s here because I like it.
These lyrics are a bit obscure, but the music is dreamlike and beautiful. Sometimes we can enjoy vocal music for its shear sound, ignoring the actual words. We do that often when listening to opera or some rock and roll. But that never happens when listening to Sinatra.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
“The Greatest” from the album of the same name.
ActualIy I love all of these paintings and think your idea of a book of cats would be wonderful!!!
MaryLou is not only a great painter; she is a great neighbor!
Lois…yes, the Maggie painting was the one on the step (I’ve also painted another cat sitting on a step).
Thank you Lois. Yes…the cat on the step belonged to the man who recognized him from the painting…pretty funny. I will e-mail you.
Thank you JW. My intention is to eventually create a book of Ocean Grove Cats and Dogs. A few of the cat paintings have already been on exhibit and currently hang as a collection in one of the rooms in my house. Last year, my home was on the holiday tour. After touring my house, one Ocean Grove resident (whom I’ve never met) exclaimed “A painting of my cat is hanging on the wall upstairs!”
Mary Lou-Love the paintings! Was the first one mentioned the cat on the step? I loved that one on Blogfinger. Do you do orders? You are very talented. The expressions are marvelous.
Mary Lou,
Your painting is stunning and so beautifully detailed. Please keep painting cats–and sharing the results!