Blindside

A lil story of one artist inspiring another artist who inspires another...

One day my cat was sitting on the table basking in the sunshine coming through the kitchen door.  I grabbed my camera and captured the moment.

Showing my friend Mary Helena the photo, Mary insited I use the photo to make a stencil painting.  I haven't any experience with layered stencils and although I love them I was a little nervous about making a cat one, fur and all.

Before I could say "Suffrin' suckotash" Mary had made a series of stencils and two paintings using an image she had found on the internet AND made the video!

This is Mary's video and her words on the subject.

"I was inspired by Danielle's photos of Socket to research and make my own cat stencil, which I carved out over the last few days and painted today (two versions). I have always loved Gary's stencil of Poppy and own two pictures made from that image. So this was another inspiration for the project..."

Ok Mary shamed me into doing this one.  She gets an idea and just goes and does it.  I get an idea and mull it over for ages, make excuses and wait for something to happen.

I had a go at the stencil.  Not terribly overjoyed with the experience.  Did everything arse backwards.  Printer not co-opperating, I had to get my husband Tim to make me some prints at school.  By this time I had already started with what I had and ended up working with two size stencils! 

I was a little torn of how I wanted this to look.  In my mind I saw a painted subject but I did want to have a go at layered stencils.  So I did both!

I'm happy with the result. 

Socket is my one eyed ginger tom I rescued from the RSPCA.  So this IS his blindside.  Another challenge of what to do with the space that his eye would occupy he he.  "Blindside" is also the name that my family wanted to call him.  Socket was my call!

This is 12" square on plywood using Paynes grey, midnight blue and white only.

I hope to do some more versions of Socket.  Must just jump in and go with the flow... I'm such a scaredy cat when it comes to new paintings...

Crikey!  Mary has already done a whole series!

Thanks to Mary for letting me show you her work.

Thanks to Gary for the inspiration.  I'm lucky to have one of Gary's cat paintings myself!