I’ve lived with a cat in my art studio since 2006 when Shadow was still shy of a year old and we lived near the Dorset coast in England. Initially, I tried to keep her out of the studio, but her cries were relentless. Over the years I’ve come to learn some valuable lessons and hard truths.
1. Cats love to be involved in the creative process.
Yessss, these are the colors.
2. If you can’t find that certain pad of paper chances are, they are sitting on it.
I haven’t seen your watercolor paper.
3. Never leave works in progress unattended. Remember, they like to be involved.
It needs my special touch.
4. Learn to incorporate cat hair into your paintings. Chances are there are more than a few strands of fur in this painting. It is what it is.
Sticking with the theme…
5. Cats will attempt to sway your creative decisions.
Are you sure you want to draw that?
6. Everything is for climbing. Everything.
Mom, look what I can do!
7. A warm lap must be made available at all times, no matter what you’re doing.
Oh, you’re painting?
8. They are never too young to begin disrupting learning what you do.
I want to try!
9. You may feel like working through lunch, but they won’t. Ever.
Are you done working yet?
10. All of the above rules apply both inside and outside the studio.
I’m going to sit on your art till you pay attention to me.
I love #5. She really looks like she’s trying to tell you something about your painting. 🙂
I know! Cats are so funny. 😀
Heh. I gave up on the attempt to keep mine out of the studio. If I spend too long at any one task, sure enough one of them will either sit in front of the monitor or stand on top of my drawing. Let us all know when your kickstarter starts.
Will do Annie! It won’t be long now.