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I've loved cats forever! The first cat that was my "very own" was a gift from my brother Conrad who was away in college and I was in the 5th grade. That sweet little Siamese kitten was about 3 weeks old and abandoned. I got to feed it pablum from a tiny doll bottle and I was in heaven! My Mom - not so much. You can imagine who did some of the feedings, especially in the middle of the night . . .  For some reason I was afraid to paint cats until about 3 years ago. I couldn't decide how to portray them to show how special they were to me. Finally I decided to just have fun and go for it and show them in a whimsical way. My cats bring me such joy - hopefully I'm sharing this whimsy and joy in my art. "Pals" 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas ©2014 Claudia True $450  I'm donating "Smiley Yellow Cat" to the 7th annual Picassos for Pets fundraiser for HELP HUMANE, a no-kill pet shelter in Belton, Mo. (See flier below). I hope Miss Smiley finds a perfect forever home with someone who spends lots and lots of money on her to "keep the lights on" at the shelter. Maybe you'll find a spot for her or some other pet art? Better yet - maybe you'll find a real "furever" pet! "Smiley Yellow Cat" 12" x 9" acrylic on canvas ©2014 Claudia True  Now - if you have a cat - you know they love tuna! I swear mine dream of the stuff. Here's a tuna appetizer recipe I created - it's in the 2014 Cooking with Friends calendar. My babies are happy, happy when I make it! "Spicy Tuna Dip" 1 7 oz can tuna, drained 1 8 oz block cream cheese juice of 1/2 lemon or more (I like its of lemon) 1/2 tsp granulated garlic 1 to 2 minced pickled jalapeno peppers salt to taste Mix everything together. Add a little "jalapeño juice" if it's too dry or to add more "zip." Good with crackers or Fritos. Simple and delicious! "Tuna Cats" original: 14" x 11" acrylic on canvas - sold ©2013 Claudia True available in print Here's more information about the fundraiser for HELP HUMANE. Hope you'll support this or some other place that takes care of pets who need a home. Maybe you'll find a little fur friend of your own! Maybe a precious little cat - ??   Happy St. Patrick's Day - when everyone's Irish!! Celebrations started in Kansas City last Saturday with parades in the Irish parts of town. Again - everyone's Irish for this holiday, so there were lots of parades! Thursday is the official "green beer" day. For those not into beer, here's an alternative cocktail - shared by my friend J.K. O'Hanlon - author of Three Ingredient Cocktails. She has a variation of a Manhattan, using Irish whiskey to create the Emerald Cocktail - also known as the Paddy. "Emerald Cocktail" 16" x 12" acrylic on canvas ©2014 Claudia True Emerald Cocktail Recipe: 2 ounces Irish whiskey 1 ounce sweet vermouth 2 dashes Angostura bitter Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry. That's it! How easy! And how delicious. I can just hear the Irish laughter after one of these. But - since you're Irish at least for this day - I bet you won't stop at one . . .  O'Hanlon shared her Emerald Cocktail and an appetizer recipe in the 2015 Cooking with Friends calendar. I've done 8 calendars - each month has a friend's recipe and my art. So many paintings inspired by recipes! We're starting work on the 2017 calendar - the 9th! Look for more "recipe art" coming soon -  If you have the 2016 calendar, this art is hanging in your kitchen or somewhere with a recipe for a tasty pasta dish - Richard's Pasta Pappardelle. Thinking of it makes my mouth water! Richard Goldberg had this with his son in Charleston, SC and has a fun story about their experience. "Richard's Pasta Pappardelle" 16 x 12" acrylic on canvas © 2015 Claudia True Don't have a 2016 calendar? Click here to purchase your very own. This Thursday on your way for green beer or Emerald Cocktails, stop by Art Source & Design for their Third Thursday art openings and enjoy the art, wine and appetizers. 4:30 to 8:00. I'll be there 4:30 to 6:00. Would love to see you and share some Irish spirit.
Have a festive and safe St. Patrick's Day! Hugs to all my Irish friends - well that's all of you on March 17. I recently delivered art for an exhibit at Art Source & Design and I decided to "think spring" when I was painting for this show. Today I'm sharing some of my happy "spring" art. I hope it makes you smile!  Three Chubby Birds 1 2016 12" x 24" acrylic on canvas - framed ©Claudia True 2016 These Three Chubby Bluebirds are ready for spring. And so am I! This painting looks like our back yard now - a few flowers are starting to make their way on the trees that are still mostly barren. I love when the trees and flowers begin to wake up and give the birds some cozy hiding spaces. Especially when our neighborhood hawk is around (oops that's another story).  Chubby Red Bird and Yellow Flower 7" x 5" acrylic on canvas ©Claudia True 2016 Today the cardinals were super active. My husband had just put out the birdseed and they managed to get there before the squirrels. That's the daily challenge! Cardinals were soon joined by Blue Jays, Juncos, Chickadees (I love that word!) and lots of little finches. You know - cardinals really can be chubby! Well lots of birds are getting chubby this time of year and we'll soon be hearing the chirps of their little ones.  Happy Yellow Flowers 7" x 5" acrylic on canvas ©Claudia True - 2016 I was thrilled today to see the first yellow crocuses blooming in the "way back" part of our yard. A small hint of all the color to come soon. Yay! These paintings and many more will be at Art Source & Design through April 16, 2016. Stop by to see them and maybe take home a little piece of Spring! They have fun and casual Third Thursday openings. The next will be March 17, 4:30 to 8:00. Visit on your way for green beer.
Think Spring! And smile - |
Claudia TrueI'm an artist living in Kansas City with my hubby and cats. My passions: colorful paintings, yummy food, and sharing my love of art and cooking with others. Archives
January 2018
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