Thursday, August 25, 2011

Safekeeping SOLD Daily Paintworks Challenge

Safekeeping SOLD
5" x 7" watercolor

This week's challenge at Daily Paintworks was the Superstition challenge. Now I'm not really much for superstitions, but I really wanted to paint this black kitten so this was a pretty good reason. :)

It makes me sad that almost all black cat superstitions are negative ones, so I looked for some positive ones and here are some that I found:

Many people believe that anyone who finds the one perfect, pure white hair in an all-black cat and plucks it out without being scratched, will find great wealth and good luck in love. (Good luck with that one)

In Britain wives of fishermen believed that their menfolk will return safely if a black cat is kept in the house.

In the south of France, black cats are referred to as 'magician cats', they are said to bring good luck to owners who feed them well and treat them with the respect they deserve.

And my personal favorite is this one: "In Egypt, it was once believed that the life-giving rays of the sun were kept in a cat's eyes for safekeeping."

Admittedly I am more of a dog person than a cat person, but seriously? Kittens are too cute not to paint. It can not be helped. Must. Paint. Kitten.

And a very special thanks to Jenny Martinez Photography for the reference photo of this very cute kitten.

See you next week everyone!

25 comments:

  1. Oh I do love this kitten, it's adorable. I've never heard even one of those positive things concerning black cats. Thanks for educating the masses.

    Interesting, my word vert is: catcar, how weird is that?

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  2. Holy Cats [so to speak] Crystal, it is a gorgeous painting! And thank you for the cat trivia ... fascinating!

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  3. Crystal, this is so beautiful and precious! We have a solid black kitty so I like your positive twist to the superstition. Fabulous job on this little guy:)

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  4. Aw, so gorgeous and adorable!

    One of my favorite cats was a black cat named Alexander. I had him when I was about 9 or 10 - definitely more of a good luck charm than bad. Loved that cat!

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  5. If I were a cat person I'd want one just like it. Beautiful painting, Crystal.

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  6. She made me smile. Thanks for the treat..

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  7. Awwwww!!!! I love it! So stinkin cute!!!! Great job and I think you are amazing at all your paintings. Don't ever forget that. It takes a true gift to visualize these works of art you create!!!! I wish I had as much talent as you do! Love you!

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  8. Lovely painting Crystal! The kitten is cute indeed. The sunrays in its eys are quite visible. Very nicely done!

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  9. I could just reach out and hold that little fluff ball! When I show this to my 8-year-old he's going to ask for a cat. Again.

    Beautiful painting, Crystal!

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  10. she's a real cutie! Very well painted xx

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  11. did you hear my "awwwwwww!" it was loud enough. beautiful job and thanks for the details on other side of being a black cat! great painting!

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  12. Well firstly, I am off to find my tweezers - and a black cat!
    Secondly, my hubby is a fisherman (well, he goes fly-fishing) and whilst we don't have a black cat, we do have a black chicken! Do you think that counts?
    Thirdly, I have been to the south of France three times, for six weeks each time. Surely I must have stroked a black cat on one of those occassions?
    Fourthly, in Britain we call the shiney things in the middle of the road, Cats-Eyes. They do save up the suns rays and they also keep us safe, so I'll go along with that!
    Fifthly - I am a chicken person, lol!!!
    And finally - WOW - Your cute kitten is completely gorgeous!!! :0D

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  13. How sweet cat!. I'm afraid not impartially because I love cats. It is unfortunate that so many superstitions have been overturned, especially with blacks. But yes, they are a symbol, are very mysterious and I think that everything that we can not understand, we tend to mythologize or vilified. I hope that seeing this kitty so tender that you paint, do not do it again. Poetic phrase Egypt, Great Job!

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  14. Awesome cuteness :)

    Your header picture is absolutely great, too!

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  15. Well you've certainly taken the bite out of the negativity associated with black cats. This piece is just wonderful, so luminous and life like, makes me want to reach out and stroke that soft black hair until he/she purrs.
    Lets hope we can help our 8 & 9 year olds discover their own creative genius in time, for some it just takes a little longer (that from a gal who just started painting a few years ago at 52!)

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  16. Ahhh....this is so cute. You really have done a wonderful painting here. Oh, and another tale for you: in the UK we also believe it lucky if a black cat crosses your path......I keep looking for one!

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  17. Crystal, thank you for visiting my blog today and for your compliments on my plein air experience and painting. Your portraits are fantastic and the child at the home page of this blog is awesome.

    Black cats are hard to do and you have done a really nice job.

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  18. seriously cute kitten, so softly painted, love it!

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  19. Lovely diffused light along his back, Crystal. You've certainly developed some awesome skills with your watercolor.

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  20. Too cute! Love that little pink tongue! Great job on the back lighting on his fur. Really great!

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  21. Where's the jawdrop icon when you need it? seriously stunning Crystal!

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  22. Purrfect kitten with gorgeous black fur and white aura :) Love those eyes too. Looks like you have totally fine tuned painting black fur/hair --on horses, dogs and now on the kitten! cute cat trivia too.

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  23. Its beautiful!|Great job, Crystal.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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