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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

Finally, I sketched their outlines in black pastel atop it all.

thecreativecat.net/featured-dai...

#bigbeautifulmewsette #mrsunshinecat #gisuppeverdicat #catsinmemory #catpainting #catsketch #catpastel #catartwork #catartist #thecreativecat

Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

I both blended the pastels then painted them on top of what I'd blended for a variety of textures, full color and muted color, to capture the changing shadows reflected from outdoors. And then, I just did what I felt like doing, adding colors intuitively in shapes that just came to mind.

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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

...on the paper.

When I look at them in that spot the painted gray floor is always cool in color though being gray it captures ambient colors from sky and outdoors. The black cats' fur reflects warm and I see many brown tones. I began with those and let my mind enhance them as I pedaled my bike.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

The light comes in the door and fills the space among them, then fades to shadows behind.

I had sketchbook and basic pastels to block in the shapes and areas, then finished it later from a photo. Mostly I had a really strong visual that stayed with me as I played fingerpaints with my pastels...
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

Giuseppe, Mr. Sunshine and Mewsette were enjoying the view as I rode my exercise bicycle, having plenty of time to watch them and the light and visualize this composition.

I wanted lots of mixed colors, but muted, indefinite edges, but the sketch in black on top of all the pastel.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

"Three Warm Cats on a Cool Ground", pastel, 7" x 10", 9/2/2013 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

Those warm sunny September mornings and these three together created one of my absolute favorite sketches.

Here's what I had to say the day I painted it:

Where do these visual inspirations come from?
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

Drawers are special places for the best of naps.

Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

Autumn 2023 was amazing every day with Mimi, Mr. Sunshine and Giuseppe.

See all those first photos, and a couple of short videos, here:
thecreativecat.net/monday-mimi-...

Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

Mr Sunshine however was on a mission. I don't know if he was looking for Mewsette or if he sensed her out there as I do, or if there's something living under our deck again, but I had to keep tabs on him, and measured both for harnesses.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

...Giuseppe kind of ambled out and found some grass to chew on and that was pretty much what he did the first time they came outside.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

... attention was on them, and my cell phone was ready to take pictures, then opened the door just to see what they would do.

Mr Sunshine came right out like he'd been waiting for it,...

Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

... think they'd want to get the heck out of this house, no interest.

But Mr Sunshine especially started watching Mimi and me outside and then both he and Giuseppe showed up at the basement door while I was hanging laundry one morning this week.

I hung the laundry and made sure my full...
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

From September 1, 2023: Mr Sunshine and Giuseppe haven't ever shown any interest in going out the door even when I held it open as I came in with groceries or other times, and this has been all their life here that cats have been going outside with me. All through the construction when you'd....
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · 26d

From September 1, 2023, this is such a sweet memory, when the brothers decided they wanted to be adventure cats after a lifetime of no interest in the outdoors, or keeping with their mom, out there in the garden where all the memories are. So I suddenly had a couple new adventure cats.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 14

I will always remember these simple moments in everyday life with all of them.

Visit the post and see all the kitten photos too: thecreativecat.net/friday-four-...

#sixblackcats #jellybeanbean #littlemimicat #sweetbasil #giuseppeverdicat #mrsunshinecat #bigbeautifulmewsette

Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 14

At the bottom, Mr. Sunshine is curled up on the bottom of the cat tree where it's totally warm from the sun warming the carpet and reflecting back on him. Mewsette is doing her sisterly duty of cleaning him up, licking his forehead and face.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 14

He is sitting next to his ninja sensei Giuseppe, who is crouching in his famous cricket posture and in deep sun-induced meditation, soaking in the sun.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 14

From the top, Jelly Bean is on the left and Mimi is on the right. Next level is Basil sitting up next to the door making sure to get sun on his forehead, something he always loved best. He was always convinced he was a member of this family, who accepted him as if he was.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 14

Of course, Mimi was right-at-the-door because she knew we'd be going outside, and of course we did because, just because, and also because it was still prime gardening time for me, so lots to take care of out there.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 14

On those warm mornings I would open the basement door to the sun and they would all come down, either galloping down the steps as a group or arriving in pairs or singles, taking their places as they arrived, soaking up the sun in their favorite way.
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 14

Friday Four and More: Six in the Sun, 2017, and Six Weeks Old, 2007
These sunny September mornings remind me of so many others at the basement door where nearly every cat in the house gathered. And you'll see that September a decade before that, in 2007, they were six weeks old!
wp.me/p2snop-nCY
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Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 13

They are $5.00 each, with an added $5.00 shipping charge on the total order. Read more and find where to purchase here: thecreativecat.net/marketplace-...

#catdishtowels #catlovergifts #catartwork #blackcats #blackcatart #markersketch #handmade #handprinted #buyfromthemaker #shopsmall #shoplocal

Bernadette E. Kazmarski @bernadettek.bsky.social · Sep 13

... which you sometimes do with fabric transfers. But not these ones. I wasn't going to waste the transfers! So I used the entire dozen of them and maybe we'll consider them a "limited edition."
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