At long last...

I've finally revamped bigcatheads.com to better show what is available for purchase. Head on over and have a lookie.

New Portfolio site.

After almost 10 years I've finally updated the old portfolio site (bigcatheads.com). Now you can find the new, more streamlined version over at bigcatheads.com

Waiting for Gov - 60" x 30" acrylic on canvas

I received some very sad news back over the Christmas holidays that a friend of mine passed away unexpectedly. Govinder Nazran (1964 - 2008) was a very talented and successful UK artist and really good guy. My condolences go out to his wife Sarah and his young daughter Eden. (click for obituary)

I was working on the painting Feeling Pink in the post below when I heard the news and there was something in that piece that almost seemed right for a memorial painting. With a few adjustments this new variation is called Waiting for Gov - 60" x 30" acrylic on canvas. This painting will stay in my personal collection and is not for sale. 

Feeling Pink - 40" x 30" acrylic on canvas.

Feeling Pink - 40" x 30" acrylic on canvas. Not feeling blue - feeling pink. It's an all together different state of mind. I like the super simplicity of this one. Nothing extra, just the big blocky stacked up shapes. They work well with the simple tints of pink.

You Go First - 48" x 36" acrylic variation.

You Go First - 48" x 36" acrylic on canvas. I've been wanting to do an acrylic variation of the original pastel version (below) for some time. Happy New Year everyone. I sure hope it's better than last year.

Sleepy Face - 20" x 13" pastel.

It's a combination look on the face that says "how dare you disturb me" and "this better be good". Sleepy Face - 20" x 13" pastel and charcoal on paper. Oh, and this one is dedicated to my ex publisher who always said "don't do green paintings. People don't buy green paintings".

The Weight - 20" x 13" pastel.

Finally, new work! The Weight - 20" x 13" pastel and charcoal on paper. When the afternoon sun pouring through the window is so thick and luxurious the weight of which pushes you to the floor and forces a nap upon you.

Want - 30" x 36" acrylic.

First painting of the new year (happy new year to you all) Want - 30" x 36" acrylic on canvas. One of my favourite scenes to paint is a cat looking out the window of his house, this is my fourth variation. We see it all the time so it's easy to relate to the situation and create an emotional connection with the viewer - in this case empathy. When the piece was nearing completion, I was thinking something was missing, some element. But it's that missing element that creates the empathy. The cat is waiting for someone to come home from work, or the cat sees the beautiful day and want to go outside, or the cat sees his nemesis - the squirrel. The missing element allows the viewer to make up their own story and therefore the painting becomes more relevant to them. The stylized planes of colour in this painting indicate dappled light on the side of the house, reflections off the glass and the shadow of a big tree just outside the window.

The Cat's Pajamas - 36" x 36" acrylic.

The Cat's Pajamas - 36" x 36" acrylic on canvas. A big bright fun painting. I always knew I would do this idea and it may not be the last time either. This painting took an unusually long time to finish. Last week I thought it was done but it wasn't feeling right. As you can see below, the plan was to use the same colour pallete as Tolerance which would've made the fuzzy mice on the pj's really pop but instead it just felt too obvious and forced. It was always intended to be a happy painting and the greys made it feel drab. Today I added colour all through the background and the result is quite interesting. The dark cat and pj background make the cat recede away from you into what looks like a stylized fluffy quilt. I'm liking it today but let's just say I'm not going to varnish this one just yet.

Freddy on the Fridge - acrylic variation.

Up until now all my variations have been from acrylic works to pastels. This is the other way around. Freddy on the Fridge - 24" x 30" acrylic on canvas. The piece is so highly stylized I didn't include the drawings of Freddy that I did in the pastel version but I did use the shapes of the papers to create some layered depth.

Tolerance - 48" x 24" acrylic

This painting was great fun to do. Tolerance - 48" x 24" acrylic on canvas. It's peaceful and still but you know there's great tension lurking just beneath the surface. The background of built up overlapping planes of greys further tugs on that tension. I had to be careful to have just the right combination of typical cat aloofness/irritation in the eyes. It's not huge but at 48" wide it's quite impactful.

Even though my paintings are simplified and humourous, I still like to include a basis of reality to ground the idea. If birds would ever be so confident to actually perch on a cat, they would still be somewhat on guard. Below you can see how I added that small touch of reality. In each of the three groups, one of the birds is intently watching the cats face. The solo bird sitting on the cats tail is the main lookout. Everyone else is just doing bird stuff.

Fred & Ginger 24" x 36" acrylic.

I've been planning to do a companion piece to Bill & Ted and here it is - Fred and Ginger 24" x 36" acrylic on canvas. I think these two originals would make great 'bookend' paintings on either side of a window or bookcase.

Don't Fence Me In - 19" x 10" pastel.

Don't Fence Me In - 19" x 10" pastel and charcoal on paper. I was so please with the original acrylic version of this, I just had to try a pastel variation. 

Back Soon.

My usual pattern with this blog has been to post at least once if not twice a week. Lately though, I've only been able to post a few times over the last several months. Nothing is wrong and I will be back to regular posting hopefully in a few weeks. Several things have happened though. An old friend from my days in advertising called needing help with some very large projects and the timing was good so I've been doing some of that. I also had a very busy spring and summer and felt like taking some time away from the studio and actually get out and be with people again. Some artists can keep things fresh just by doing wildly different styles but my work is usually more consistent and if I'm not careful can turn into a routine. Also, because I can and often do produce two or three new originals a week, the pressure I put on myself to keep the ideas fresh can be tiring.

My solution to this is to not be so obsessed with one thing and to not be in such a hurry all the time. Once I get back in the studio my plan will be to produce one new painting a week. This will allow me to only paint up the ideas I'm really excited about plus making my originals a bit more of a rarity isn't a bad idea either purely from a business standpoint. It'll also allow me the time to be involved with other creative projects which I've always found a good method to stimulate fresh ideas that I never allowed myself time for. It's an interesting time with plenty of options, all of which are good. Be back soon.

Gallery Cleaning.

I did a major tidy up over at bigcatheads.com. There was too much older work that had been sold long ago cluttering up the place. And I put quite a few original acrylics in The Backroom to move them out (half price folks).

A Little Leg Love - 20" x 26" pastel.

Here's a new pastel. A Little Leg Love - 20" x 26" pastel and charcoal on paper. This is the first time I've combined the semi-cubist style of my recent acrylics into a pastel piece. And I like the results. I can still maintain enough precision in the linework (provided I'm working large enough) and the looseness of the pastel within the arcs compliments the style and acts as shadow elements between those layers. I'll be doing more or these. And expect an acrylic variation of this idea at some point in the near future too.

T-shirts.

I've discovered a new supplier for doing printed t-shirts. Printfection offers all kinds of colours, the clothing is of good quality and most important, their printing is excellent. I don't intend to do a lot of this but I thought Just Passing Through and Don't Fence Me In would look good on some tees. Click here.

Foots - 28" x 22" acrylic.

Sorry for the lack of posting lately, busy with other projects. I'll be back soon with a new batch of originals. Meanwhile, here's a smallish one I finished a few weeks ago. Foots - 28" x 22" acrylic on canvas. Many years ago I lived with a few buddies in Vancouver. One of them had a cat who would sit exactly like this on a sofa. Usually he rested his one paw on the arm of the sofa but if you sat beside him he'd rest it on your hip. It was hilarious.

Ambush - 24" x 36" acrylic.

Here's the latest. Ambush - 24" x 36" acrylic on canvas. A dangling tail can be just about the most irresistible thing in the world.

Here it is hanging just outside my kitchen to provide some scale.

And here's a group shot. On the left is Don't Fence Me In - 60" x 36" and back in the dining room is Group Hug - 60" x 48".

The Sunny Spot - 36" x 36" acrylic.

The Sunny Spot - 36" x 36" acrylic on canvas. This was a bit of a tricky one. From the first sketch right through to the end of the painting process I literally didn't know which end was up. The painting works the way it's shown above, and it also works upside down. Signing the piece would finally decide which way was up. At one point I was going to sign it top and bottom so that the buyer would have the option of displaying it either way. It isn't varnished yet so I still can do that. What do you think. Let me know in the comments if you feel this is a good idea.

UPDATE JULY 24: Yup. I agree it's a fun idea to make it work both ways. It's now signed top and bottom so whichever way it's hung there will be a signature in the bottom right corner. And to make that option even easier for whoever buys it...

...that's right, double wires baby!!!

Don't Fence Me In - 60" x 36" acrylic.

Here's the latest in my semi-cubist style series. Don't Fence Me In - 60" x 36" acrylic on canvas. It's not really a cubist style but more of a stained glass effect. I find it almost impossible to walk by this painting and not sense your mood brighten. There's a happy, confident feeling radiating from this big boy.

Pussy Galore - 48" x 36" acrylic.

This one just came together on it's own. No rough drawings, No planned layout. My only thoughts going in were to use tints of my two favourite colours - Naples Yellow and Cerulean Blue. Pussy Galore - 48" x 36" acrylic on canvas. A while ago one of my collectors - Kristen from Nevada, suggested I shoot my new acrylics in a room setting to show the scale of the paintings. Usually I just shoot them outside on my back deck in the natural light, then crop them tight in Photoshop. Even though I always indicate the dimensions, these 'in situ' photos do give a much clearer picture as to how big some of these paintings are and how they can impact a room.

Rainbow Bridge - 40" x 30" acrylic.

A number of years ago just after my first cat Maxine passed, someone sent me the poem below. I found it to be very moving and wanted to do a painting about it but I didn't have any worthy ideas. Since then I've done a number of sketches and still nothing seemed right. Last week while I was doodling up some new cubist themed layouts, the painting above started to take shape. For me the painting works because of that cubist style influence. There's a built-in unreal magical quality that seems to represent the idea better than anything else I've tried. Rainbow Bridge - 40" x 30" acrylic on canvas.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Rollypolly - 48" x 24" acrylic.

Rollypolly - 48" x 24" acrylic on canvas. This is the first in a new series of paintings I'm doing incorporating a simplified cubist style. They'll all be very happy paintings featuring bright colour palettes. Stay tuned for more.

Heroes of the Great Dog War - UPDATE.

A while back I posted a series of three ink and pastel pieces themed Heroes of the Great Dog War. It seemed to me at the time there was a larger idea lurking. Well, I'm going to do a book.

I have about thirty ideas for medals roughly thought out plus a 'historical intro' and perhaps a dozen illustrated scenes of the troops. There's all kinds of secondary imagery I could incorporate as well like maps and newspapers. If it pans out nicely on the drawing board I might even (stay calm now) do a second book from the dog's side. I'm not sure, if the page count seems thin, perhaps the dog book might be on the back but flipped over.

Will it be an art book or a children's book? I don't know. If it's a children's book, the concept is already in a dangerous territory being a 'war' theme. A large majority of mothers today would never consider buying a book celebrating heroic deeds in battle even if the protagonists are cute cats and dogs. My instincts are to keep the concept as sharp as possible so it feels more like a fun art book. We'll see.

I won't say much more then that for now and inevitably these types of projects change as they evolve so the final may be quite different. If it does turn into a book hopefully my publisher will make it happen or else I'll be shopping it around.

Any ideas, thoughts, half thoughts, jokes or stories would be very welcome. I can't promise I'll use them but hey, you never know.

Camo Cats - 24" x 24" acrylic.

I did these Camo Cats a while ago as a small series. They're very simple paintings but because of the camo effect, they change their appearance in different lighting situations. In dim light the cat disappears into the background except for the eyes. It's pretty cool. Cat Camo Green - 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas, Cat Camo Purple - 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas, Cat Camo Orange - 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas.

The Silver Paw - 28" x 20".

I thought The Silver Paw - 28" x 20" ink and pastel on paper from my Heroes of the Great Dog War series, would be an interesting interpretation of the theme 'rejection' for Illustration Friday. (click image to read)

I.F. - The Pacifist.

The Pacifist - 30" x 36" acrylic on canvas. He seems to be a conflicted kitty.

You Go First - 17" x 11" pastel.

You go first. No you go first. No you go first. No you go first. You Go First - 17" x 11" pastel and charcoal on paper.

You Complete Me - 28" x 20" pastel.

You Complete Me - 28" x 20" pastel and charcoal on paper. I got the idea for this piece after seeing a group of small kittens all sleeping on top of each other. They were mostly white with tan patches but a few of those patches seemed to form complete circles because of the positions of the other kittens. Their choreography was excellent.

10 Questions for Russell.

I've given a number of interviews lately and now it's my chance to play boy reporter.

Russell is the technical director of the Picture Perfect Gallery in London, England. An established family run gallery that carries a wide range of originals and limited editions specializing in contemporary and canine artwork. And best of all, my cats are in there too (ha!).

1) Tell me about your gallery and how did you get started?

Having previously been in another line of work for 20 years, my father took a risk and decided to change direction in 1983. A chance encounter meant he was offered a sales position for a high street picture gallery in London. This company also did exhibition work (displaying their pictures at these events attended by the public) and it was this that my father particularly enjoyed. During a quiet period for the gallery in 1983, my father left the company and formed Classic Designs, which was initially solely exhibition based and originally dealing only in original oil paintings, which were very popular in the UK at that point. He then progressed to selling dog & wildlife prints by UK artist Nigel Hemming, (now one of the UK's premier canine artists and who at the time had just become a published artist) which were bought from Washington Green Fine Art publishers...from there things grew and grew.

2) Most artists have a specific direction they follow as mapped out in their artists statement. Does your gallery have a similar directional plan?

That's a tough question but I'd say the underlying ethos is to offer a friendly customer experience and to maintain the feeling that you are dealing with a family business (which we are) and you are not getting a hard sell - as you may find in some galleries, and we are not trying to meet any sales targets! Also to be informative and offer advice when needed. eg: on mounts (matts) and framing combinations for products etc.

3) How do you go about choosing which artists show at Picture Perfect?

Today we generally choose artwork from the big publishing houses Washington Green, Demontfort, & Soloman & Whitehead Fine Art and we also carry other artwork and originals in our shops which we source at the trade shows or artwork from artists we have had personal dealings with over time.

4) Can you describe your average art buyer or is there such a thing?

I would say there isn't one as such.

5) What are your thoughts on the current fine art market in the UK and how it may differ from the US and Canada?

My knowledge of the US & Canadian art markets is limited right now but I know there are less of the products we sell on our website available over there. This makes sense really as a lot of the artists are UK based who don't have an outlet to sell to the USA, certainly this was the case pre the internet boom in the UK.

6) Is there any advice you can give to artists that are trying to get their work into galleries?

Be creative in your approach to this and try new ways of getting yourself noticed, read around, contact the publishing houses etc if you want to get your work published into limited edition print format. Contact other published or successful artists for advice. Also not all galleries taken on unpublished artists but there are some that do!

7) You've just started up a blog - As one of the very few gallery director/bloggers I've come across, what do you hope to achieve with your new blog?

To be informative and try and transfer some of the knowledge, news, facts and my opinions to the customer and get them to comment/ post back. A customer viewing our website can't attain such knowledge simply browsing images. I am genuinely interested in what customers have to say about the product; it shouldn't be the case that limited edition art is produced and some sell better than others. It's better to produce less but more sought after products!

8) Trends come and go in the fine art world. What trends do you feel are ending and where do you see the future going?

That's hard to answer as we sell such a diversity of products every week. I think more traditional pictures, such as landscapes are becoming more popular and also the genre of contemporary and specifically naive contemporary work, is here to stay.

9) People in the UK seem to have a great passion for their pets and artworks reflecting that passion. Why do you think that is?

The UK has always been a nation of dog and cat lovers and I think more so than say Europe, where unfortunately stray animals are very common. It must be traditional and something that has continued for 100s years in the U.K. I would imagine.

10) Anything else you'd like to tell folks?...

Well obviously I would like them to view the blog (and our retail website!) and ask them to post if possible, I am interested in what they think!

Thanks for your time Russell.

Be sure to visit Russell's new blog and give him lots of feedback or if you're in London why not drop into the gallery for a chat and buy lots of artwork. Here's a map.

Picture Perfect Gallery

71 High Street,
Wanstead, E11 2AE, UK

0845 644 7877
Gallery Website
Blog

Flowery Chair - 20" x 28" pastel.

The Flowery Chair - 20" x 28" pastel. In this one I'm playing with monotone blues and cyans exclusively to create a cozy textural effect. Look out below.

The Seven Siamese - 40" x 30" acrylic.

The Seven Siamese - 40" x 30" acrylic on canvas. This painting has been on and off my easel for weeks now. Usually when I start a painting I'll go straight through till it's done but this one had a mind of it's own.

Fine Art Quiz.

I found a fun and quick quiz to test your instincts for judging Fine Art. Is it a fake or is it Fine Art? (I got 100% heh. What did you score?) link.

White Paw - 18" x 20" pastel variation.

White Paw - 18" x 20" pastel and charcoal on paper. The original acrylic painting is here. The two variations are very different to my eye with the pastel seeming more tranquil and restive. The acrylic has quite a powerful graphic impact and feels more like a stylized frozen moment.

Upon Reflection and Lush.

Illustration Friday's topic this week is Your Paradise. I've got two for that. Upon Reflection - 30" x 36" acrylic on canvas (above) and Lush - 48" x 36" acrylic on canvas.

Fatherhood - 28" x 20" pastel.

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm redoing a number of my acrylic paintings as variations in pastels. Fatherhood - 28" x 20" pastel and charcoal on paper. I've made a few small changes to the background because with the more textural effect of the pastels, I didn't think it needed any more elements competing with the foreground.