Claudia True
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New Online Print Shop

1/29/2018

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I'm very excited to introduce my new online print shop - Claudia True's Art Prints. Now you're able to purchase museum quality prints of your favorite art at affordable prices. You also may choose the size and the medium that the art is printed on - canvas, paper or metal (a very contemporary look). Pretty exciting, huh!

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The art is divided into categories. This popular little dachshund is the cover for the collection of Holiday Art. Chinese New Year is February 16 - 2018 is the Year of the Dog!

​With prints you can afford to change your art for the holidays! Of course this little fella could hang in your home all year long and make you happy.






"Year of the Dog" - Holiday Art



Why did I love this print store - and think you will, too?

  • Prints are created by professionals - Skyline Art Prints in Austin, Texas. They're top quality printers with first class customer service.
 
  • You have a choice of size and medium. It's fun to play with the options when you're ordering. Be sure to check out the wall preview (more on that below).
 
  • The size/medium choices allow you to purchase at a range of prices.
    • Small prints on paper are the least expensive and are perfect for gift giving. Please note - "teaser prices" listed by each print are NOT the least expensive. I'm not sure why - don't let that scare you.
    • Larger prints on canvas or metal are the most expensive. But prints are still less expensive than originals in equivalent sizes.
 
  • Maybe you missed out on purchasing an original that you loved. With prints, you can still have that special piece of art. Something that will make you smile!
 
  • Prints are shipped to you directly from the printers in very professional packaging that ensures safe arrival of your new purchase. You'll be impressed when you get your first shipment. I sure was.
 
  • Because Skyline Art Prints takes care of printing and shipping, I have more time to spend in the studio!  That makes me a happy artist.  

Categories of art in Claudia True's art print store.

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As I write this, I have 7 categories of art available: 
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  • Critter Club - my whimsical paintings of animals and birds.
  • Holiday Art - wouldn't it be fun to have art prints as part of your holiday decorations.
  • ​Chubby Birds - these have been very popular and loved by people of all ages.​
  • Florals - these flowers never need watering!
  • ​Still Lifes - most of these were inspired by recipes in one of my 10 years of Cooking with Friends calendars. 
  • Landscapes - I'm not creating many landscapes now so prints are how you'll get a Claudia True landscape.
  • ​Happy Hour - with this art, it's happy hour any hour!

"Potter's Goat" - Critter Club
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Tomorrow I'm adding a new category - Faces. One of my art goals in 2018 is to learn to paint whimsical portraits.

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you've seen some of these characters that I'm creating almost daily. I'm adding a few for prints. If you see one you like that's not included, please contact me and I'll add it.

It's SO fun and exciting to learn something new and to see how these faces will evolve!






"Abigail the Librarian" - Faces


I mentioned the fun Wall Preview feature of this online print shop. Here's the deal - in the ordering process, you select a print and can see how it looks at different sizes in different rooms. This really helps decide on a size - here's an example
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Check out Claudia's online print store

It's a major accomplishment for me to set up this print store. I think you'll enjoy browsing the art and maybe you'll see something perfect for your home or office.

Tomorrow I'm sending an email with a Valentine's Day promotion - a 20% discount good for 3 days starting tomorrow. Wouldn't your loved one be surprised with a gift of art!


So head over to the the store and check it out - start your wish list.
                         
https://shopprints.claudiatrue.com/

Sharing with love and gratitude to my art collectors! Happy shopping - 

      Claudia True


p.s. my originals are on my website - www.claudiatrue.com  Happy shopping there, too.


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Ten Days of Art and Recipes - Day 5

12/9/2017

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Welcome to the 5th installment of 10 days of art and recipes!  Each day I'm sharing a  recipe that I think you'll enjoy during the holiday season - one from each of the 10 Cooking with Friends calendars.

Purchase 2018 calendar here

Cooking with Friends, 2013

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Five years of calendars! I was pretty proud of myself by now and was getting the hang of doing these colorful collections of my friends' recipes and the art they inspired.   

This recipe is something light and healthy that would be a good break from all the heavy holiday feeding frenzy. It's a little time consuming but oh so worth it.

​While doing this calendar project, I've expanded both my cooking and painting skills. I even got some stackable bamboo steamers to make this salmon dish. This was my first attempt at writing Chinese. I love the look, the "message" is simple ("salmon").  I took it to a server at our favorite Chinese restaurant to be sure I hadn't written anything obscene. I think the script added a nice design touch to the fish painting. If you don't read Chinese, you might even think it says something profound. Cute, huh.

Cathy's Salmon by Claudia True
available in print of various sizes


Chinese Steamed Salmon by Cathy Bennett

4 pieces of salmon filet (single serving sized pieces)
  • 1 bunch cilantro, divided
  • 1 4” knob of fresh ginger root, divided
  • 8 green onions (scallions), divided
  • 3 T sherry or white wine or Chinese rice wine, divided
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 t. Chinese roasted sesame oil
  • 2 T soy sauce
  • A pinch of sugar
  • 1 Serrano chile
  • 1 T cooking oil (peanut oil is best)
Prepare A, B, and C:

A:  Slice the Serrano chile into very thin matchstick shreds, and combine in a microwave safe bowl with approximately 2 T of cilantro leaves, the sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, 1 ½ T wine, and a couple of pinches of salt and pepper.  Set aside.

B:  Cut 4 green onions into 2” thin matchstick shreds and slice 2” of ginger into very thin matchstick shreds.  Combine in a small bowl, and set aside.

C:  Roughly chop the remaining cilantro (including stems), slice the remaining 2” of ginger into thin coins, and slice the remaining green onions lengthwise, then into 2” lengths.

Cut a parchment paper circle to fit your Chinese bamboo steamer or stainless steel steamer basket.  Spread “C” evenly over the parchment.  Place the fish filets over the vegetables, and pour approximately 1 ½ T wine over the filets.  Lightly season with salt and pepper.
Put approx. 2” of water in your wok or other large pot.  When it boils, place the steamer basket over the pot.  Steam till just barely done—it cooks fast—approximately 10 minutes per 1” thickness.

When done, remove the fish from the steamer, and arrange on a platter.  DO NOT remove any of the steaming vegetables—discard them.

Meanwhile, microwave “A” for about 30 seconds, until hot.  Pour A over the hot fish.  In a small skillet, or a wok, heat the peanut oil till nearly smoking and stir fry B for about 10 or 20 seconds, then pour it—sizzling!—over the hot fish.  Serve immediately with steamed rice.  Serves 4.
​. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

No Chinese bamboo steamer?  You can use a stainless steel veggie steamer, if you have one, and it is big enough to hold the fish.  Otherwise, use a heatproof plate that will fit into your wok (or other large pan that has a domed lid) to create a makeshift steamer.  Use an inverted, small, shallow bowl to support the plate over the simmering water, making sure the lid will still cover.  You do not need to use parchment if you use a plate.

Check out the front and back covers of the 2013 Cooking with Friends calendar. My calendar partner and graphic design partner Holly Bikakis has done the layouts for all 10 calendars. She makes us look "mahvelous!' 
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Order 2018 Cooking with Friends calendar here

Happy Cooking and Happy Holidays! 
           
           Claudia True


​Please forward to someone who might enjoy a good recipe for steamed salmon Chinese style, or a high quality colorful print of a colorful Chinese salmon. Or a new Cooking with Friends calendar! 
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10 Days of Art & Recipes - Day 2

12/5/2017

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This is the 2nd post sharing art and recipes from 10 years of Claudia True's art and recipe calendars.

​Want to get the 10th calendar in the series? Click here to order Cooking with Friends 2018. 

The Art of Cooking, 2010

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For the second calendar, I asked my "chef friends" to share their recipes. And they agreed! The pressure was on to do a painting that lived up to their delicious dishes.

This painting was inspired by a recipe for Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup, shared by Rogelio Fernandes who was Corporate Executive Chef at Timbers Hospitality Group, based out of Triple George Grill in downtown Las Vegas, NV. The chicken definitely had to have some Vegas "sass!" I think she achieved that with her beautiful full plume, reminiscent of Vegas show girls! She's one of my best selling prints - everyone loves her sass!  I love Ro's recipe -


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"Vegas Chic" - Claudia True

available in print in various sizes 

Order 2018 Cooking with Friends calendar here

Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup


INGREDIENTS
  • 2 ounces olive oil
  • 1/2 pound yellow onion, 1/8" julienne
  • 2 medium green bell peppers, 1/4" julienne
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 2  12 ounce cans diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 small can chipotle peppers, chopped
  • 1 gallon chicken stock (water & chicken base)
  • 2 cups frozen corn
  • 3 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 dozen corn tortillas, cut into 1/4 x 2" strips
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 6 chicken breasts, broiled, then 1/4" dice
DIRECTIONS
    Sauté onions and green bell peppers in olive oil for 4-5 minutes or until they are partially translucent. Add chopped garlic and sauté 1 minute.
     Place 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1/2 can of chipotle peppers (chop them first) into a blender cup. Blend in pulses to leave the tomatoes a bit chunky. Do not puree completely.
    Add all remaining ingredients, except for the chicken, to the onion/pepper mixture. Simmer for 15 minutes over medium heat.
      Once soup has simmered for 15 minutes, add the broiled and diced chicken breast. Serve immediately. 
    

Here are the front and back covers of the 2nd calendar. Check out the names of the recipes and the chefs who shared them. You proably know some and perhaps  you've had these dishes prepared by them in their restaurants. 
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Order 2018 calendar

Happy Cooking and Happy Holidays!

 
​Please forward to someone who might enjoy a good recipe for Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup! What a wonderful dish for the holidays! 
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My latest critter painting - 10 commissioned cat portraits!

3/11/2017

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Lenora's Cats - 18" x 48" acrylic on canvas - Claudia True, artist

Look at all of these darling cats! My friend Lenora Larson commissioned a painting  of her 2 cats plus 8 of their "friends." Lenora's cats are Chevelle - (2nd from left, top row) and Cher (middle, bottom row). What a delightful project this has been for this cat loving painter!

Previous critter paintings.

This was actually my first commissioned critter painting. I've done many critter paintings. Most were inspired by recipes for my Cooking with Friends art and food calendars. Think chickens, cows, pigs and goats - check out some on my website. 

As I said, I truly love cats and have painted them in a very fun, whimsical style. For some reason I've been reluctant to paint a cat in a more realistic way so I made this one of my goals for 2017. I even set a stretch goal to paint 10 in this new style by April. I must have put this vision and goal out in the universe where it was swirling around and captured by Lenora! A couple of months ago she contacted me to paint cats. As we discussed the project, she said she wanted the painting to include 10 cats!! Wow! I just recently realized how serendipitous this has been - kind of gives me goosebumps!

What made this project even more special is that these cats all live with Lenora's very dear friends! This is also a painting of human friendship and love for those who adore the incredible friendship and love of our feline babies. I know cat lovers will understand . . .  I sure do!

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So here's a glimpse at how this painting evolved. Lenora sent me lots of cat photos and potential layouts and we talked about the style. She wanted "whimsical realism." (Okay I just made up that term.) After we selected the 10 cat photos to include, I did "value sketches" in black and white. She sent photos of the front porch of her farm home where this painting would hang, especially showing me the red bench and lavender accents. Her favorite color is lavender so she wanted some of that and a little red to tie in with the bench. Lenora even shared insights into personalities and moods of the individual cats - pensive, stern, sleepy, laughing, etc. At this point I understood what she wanted with color and layout, and I was ready to do the fun part - adding colors and personality. ​
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Here's Lenora and her cats! I think her smile reflects her happiness with the final result! It was a real pleasure to work with my friend and try to bring her image to life. She had a very distinct vision of what she wanted - I'm thankful I could make that happen.

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And here's the "end product" - those 10 whimsically realistic cats in their new forever home. The living/breathing Chevelle is saying hi to her painted pal Cher. How cute is that! I think she approves -

Are you interested in commissioning a painting of your pet? If so I hope this story gives you an idea of what to expect. Contact me and we can discuss your project. Hope you enjoy this one too!
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Fiesta Chick at an auction - wings and all!

2/13/2017

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Fiesta Chick - inspired by a recipe and ready for a new home!

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Kansas City Artists Coalition - Art Auction

Saturday - Feb. 18 - is the annual art auction for Kansas City Artists Coalition, an organization of visual artists. My Fiesta Chick is there looking for a new home. She's hanging out with close to 200 other pieces of original art donated by artists from throughout the Kansas City area. 

This auction is the place to be for artists and collectors! First - the artwork is amazing. Kansas City artists are extremely generous with their donations. Second - it's an exciting and fun event! $25 entrance gets you heavy, delicious appetizers - enough for a meal plus beer and wine. I promise you won't go home hungry! Sometimes the bidding wars get pretty crazy which can be quite an adventure. 

Tres Amigos
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My husband Mike Driggs is donating a piece this year - "Tres Amigos!" These are created in clay and totally express his Arizona roots. This is a first for Mike to put his art out for the world to see. I'm so proud of him! Although I must admit I'm sad to see these little guys go away. 

Back to that Chick!

Fiesta Chick was inspired by a recipe for Spicy Chicken Wings, using a glaze of pepper jam and other ingredients. My friend Debbie Farnam shared the recipe  that features one of her special jams in her line of Debby's Pantry jellies and jams. Delicious!! But Miss Fiesta Chick still has her wings - and always will!! This recipe and painting are in my 2017 Cooking with Friends calendar - available by clicking here. 

Hope you'll join us at the Kansas City Artists Coalition annual auction this Saturday! Maybe you'll take home Fiesta Chick, Tres Amigos or another art treasure. 
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Spicy Tuna Dip - perfect for Super Bowl!

2/5/2017

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Tuna Cats - ©Claudia True

Still need an appetizer for Super Bowl?

I know it's a little late for planning your Super Bowl appetizers, but that's kind of how this dish was first created. I was in grad school and we had a "spontaneous party" - probably a Friday when we allowed ourselves to have some beer and hang out with friends and take a break from studying. I needed a dip and didn't have time to go to the store. So I put together this concoction with stuff that are staples in my kitchen -  tuna fish, lemons, cream cheese and of course jalapeños! Everyone loved it - even my Pennsylvania friends who weren't so much into my Texas inspired hot, spicy dishes. 

For a long time I made this dip. It's easy and so convenient - again I usually had all the ingredients, except maybe the cream cheese. And it was "budget friendly" which was a definite plus on a grad school budget. But then I forgot about it. A few years ago, one of my friends from Penn State called and asked for the recipe. Well that was a fun and special memory - both hearing from a good fiend and remembering this yummy dish. Isn't it interesting how we form bonds through food! 

I shared this recipe in my 2014 Cooking with Friends calendar. Here it is for you - in case you need that last minute spicy dip for your Super Bowl party. When I shared it with my friend from Pennsylvania, I told her she could add some cayenne if it wasn't hot enough. She thought that was funny . . . .  p.s. my cats love it when I make this dip!

Spicy Tuna Dip

Ingredients
1        7 oz can tuna - drained
1        8 oz block cream cheese, softened
          juice of 1/2 lemon or more (I like lots of lemon!)
1/2     tsp granulated garlic
​          dash Worcestershire sauce
1 or 2 pickled jalapeño peppers - minced 
           salt to taste
           cayenne - if you want it extra hot

Directions
Mix everything together. Add a little "jalapeño juice" (liquid in the pickled jalapeños) if it's too dry. Serve in a bowl sprinkled with paprika (optional). Good with crackers - and especially good with Fritos, my favorite forbidden food! Simple and delish.




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A little hashtag fun - and free art.

9/29/2016

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It's calendar time! And time for a little hashtag fun. AND a chance to win a  cute little pig, painted for a recipe . . .

  

About the calendar - 

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​My 9th annual Cooking with Friends calendar is hot off the press. Yay! If you're not familiar with these calendars, they're a collection of recipes from my friends and art I created to illustrate them. Yes - I paint recipes!  


About the hashtag fun - 

Let's have a little competition using #claudiascalendar. Lots of you have calendars hanging in your kitchen or office or "somewhere." Wouldn't it be fun to see where they are!

So here's our contest - post a photo on Facebook or Instagram with something calendar related and you're entered in a drawing for a pig, painted for a recipe! Tag your post with #claudiascalendar to be in the competition. Do this by Thursday, October 13 to be in the drawing.

Here's a sample - 2016 calendar hanging in my studio. I posted this on Instagram and tagged it with #claudiascalendar  Thanks to Mary Ann Rogers for her recipe for Cabbage Patch Stew, enjoyed by her children when they were in school and she was a teacher. All the recipes have cute stories that bring them to life!
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Want some ideas of what to post? 
  • Photo of your calendar hanging "wherever."
  • Photo of a dish you made from a recipe - include the recipe art if you can! Use a recipe from any of the 9 calendars.
  • Photo of a painting from a calendar - any year! 
  • You get the idea. Make it fun! Be in the photo!!
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About that pig - 

Meet Miss Piggy and Peppers. Is this the cutest little pig or what. And she could be yours! Just post a calendar related photo on Facebook or Instagram and use #claudiascalendar.  Easy!  
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​Miss Piggy is an 8 x 6" reproduction on canvas and is framed. She was inspired by John Fulton's recipe for Raspberry-Chipotle Pork Chops and first appeared in the 2013 calendar. Hope you're saving these calendars - the art and recipes are timeless.
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Just Do It!

Okay - get the picture? Want to join the hashtag fun and maybe win Miss Piggy? Let's see where all these calendars and recipes and art are in the world. And some yummy food created from the recipes. Post by Thursday, October 13 - drawing will be on Friday, October 14

Are you ready to order your 2017 calendars with bright, colorful art and delicious recipes?  
Click here to get them for you and your friends.  

Thanks for joining the fun - happy posting!

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It all started with a chicken.

4/28/2016

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Well actually it was a recipe.  OR - to be honest - a calendar!  Okay - really, it was the idea to do a calendar that would combine my two passions - painting and cooking.  I had never painted "critters." Who knew this would be the start of one of my most popular series of paintings. The first critter I ever painted was this crazy "Kickin' Chicken," inspired by a recipe for Chicken Enchiladas.  And so it began - 

"Kickin' Chicken" - 20 x 16" acrylic on canvas - $450
​also available in giclee print
©Claudia True 2008


We created our first calendar for 2009. "We" being me and Holly Bikakis, a graphic design guru who's my partner in the calendar project. (She makes it look really spiffy!) I was new in Kansas City, didn't know anyone and for the first time in years I had lots of free time. I needed a project, but - what to do??? I came up with the idea to develop a food and art calendar. I love to paint - as you know - and I also love to cook.  So I thought I'd get some recipes, paint illustrations of them - and put them in calendar format with a recipe and painting for each month. Voila! The calendar was "born!"

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After 8 years of "painting recipes" I now have quite a collection of Critter art. These are mostly colorful and happy little fellas that lots of people want, so they're available in prints and are hanging out in many homes and hopefully bringing smiles and happy thoughts to their owners  

"Potter's Goat" - 10 x 8" giclee print on canvas - $55
​©Claudia True 2015


One super special thing about this project - getting new recipes! I have over 100 recipes that my friends have shared. My friends love seeing how their recipes "come alive" in my artistic renditions.

​This cute little goat was inspired by a recipe from Nancy and Sam Potter for "Boursin Chèvre" - a delicious goat cheese spread that's perfect for a party. "Kickin' Chicken Enchiladas" was shared by Cheryl Miller. And here's a sweet little pig inspired by a recipe for "Raspberry-Chipotle Pork Chops" -  shared by John Fulton.  

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"Miss Piggy & Peppers" - 10 x 8" acrylic on canvas - $55
© Claudia True 2012


I always say "life's an adventure!" You see, I never started out to create a series of critter art.  I don't think I would have thought about it - except for these recipes in a calendar that I wouldn't have thought about doing if I hadn't moved to a new town and was bored and needed something to do! Now these are some of the paintings most loved by my fans.  

It's very interesting that I only recently realized I had this collection of critters!  Now I'm developing a new page on my website -"Critter Club" - to give them a home and show them off.  

And it all started with a chicken . . . . 

Note:  it's time to work on the 2017 Cooking with Friends calendar!  Do you have a recipe you want to see in a painting and share with others in the calendar? If so, please click here to contact me about what's involved. Click here if you want to purchase a 2016 calendar - the art and recipes are timeless!  

​Have fun and remember - life's an adventure! Who knows what's ahead for all of us - or how it will start.
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Let's talk about cats!  My favorite little furry critters.

3/21/2016

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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 . . .  
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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


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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
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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!
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"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 - ??  
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    Claudia True

    I'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.  

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