Friday, January 20, 2006

Cat

Jazz Cat 1
I've done lots of cat illustrations, but this is one of my favorites. It was for a poster for a jazz festival that has a running theme "We're the Cats that Make it Happen". I did a different poster for the same event a couple of years later and posted it here for the theme "Small" a few weeks ago. I hope to do a new cat piece specifically for IF if I have time this week.

28 comments:

Geninne said...

That is the coolest lookin' cat I've ever seen, bet he can play a mean "Take the A train"! His look reminds me of Clint Eastwood sayin': "Go ahead...make my day". I love your work.

Ester Wilson said...

I love your additions of cigarette and mouse. I knew you wouldn't have a problem with a cat image. I'd love to see you do more, cuz I like katz too!

Lee said...

cool cat...nice illo!

Grangry said...

This is great. What a zingin' colour scheme. Nice Job!

Karlishhh said...

the lights and shadows are really well¡¡¡¡ the idea too, great work ¡¡¡ you have too much talent

Piotr said...

Great lighting, I like how the cat seems to have a greater interest in the mouse than he does the piano.

Caroline said...

that is a very happening cat - the expression in its eyes... wow!

carla said...

You do the best cats! This one has major attitude...looks like real hepcat to me:> I loved the cat you did for small as well.

Amy Zaleski said...

This is just priceless....I bet your clients were ecstatic!

Twisselman said...

Kitten on the keys. Cig in the tray. Mouse in the sights. Cool.

Jay Montgomery said...

I immediately thought of your cat illos when I first thought of this theme. Great job, but the jpg does not do the printed poster justice.

Rick Lovell said...

Thanks for the comments, everyone. And Jay, you're right about the jpg...it looks awful. I really should rescan that artwork.

Fern Lady said...

The ashtray and burning cigarette add the right touch.

Jaimie said...

beautiful. way cool. the piano is outstanding, the shadows and highlights.

Ginger*:) said...

I'll have to say this is one of my favorites too! What a great image. It actually made me laugh outloud, because I can picture our "Butterscotch" having done this in one of his 9 lives. It also brings back bittersweet memories of this most wonderful of our children's pets. Thanks for posting this one!

Rick Lovell said...

Thanks, Jaimie and Ginger, I'll bet Butterscotch was a sweetie.
And Fern Lady, the cigarette and ashtray are original to the piece, and I think are very "jazzy" additions, you know the smoke in the air, the smell of whiskey and the tinkle of glasses in the background. But I did this for the city government (Bureau of Cultural Affairs), and our mayor was on a big anti-smoking campaign, and he made me change it from a cigarette to a pipe; we still get the smoke, but the vibe is all wrong. Oh well, as they say, you can't argue with City Hall!

Amy said...

Great cat! Love the detail and contrast.

HARDWAX said...

LOve this picture-have looked at all your entries-gorgeous

Anonymous said...

This looks great. Very naturalistic.
wynlen - www.wynlen.no

Aravis said...

This is gorgeous work. I like the concept!

WCTs said...

This is great...such a wicked gold kitty!

TheTart said...

I have seen the same look from some bad boys.

Love the spot light on the cat also! You can feel the texture of the fur, very cool!

Smooch,
The Tart

atomicvelvetsigh said...

i can feel the jazz music in the air with this one. and what a cool cat!

Anonymous said...

kitty is a smoker? tsssk bad kitty! hihi ^_^

The Tart said...

Kitty with a tude!

Unknown said...

Did the city of Atlanta or Stroh's make you change the cig to a pipe? I was cleaning out my late mother's house last week and discovered a framed copy of the Atlanta Jazz Festival. For some reason she had never put it up after I had it framed for her back in 1991. It's now hanging in my office.

Rick Lovell said...

fm fats-
Yeah, you called it. The Mayor of Atlanta at the time, the newly annointed Bill Campbell, was on an anti-cancer kick and made me change the cig to a pipe (as if you can't get mouth cancer from a pipe).
Glad you have a copy of the print!

Anonymous said...

"You Can Leave Your Hat On" when ya meet up wid me in the alley (smiley). Wanted to say thanks. Just sent this as an e-card to my jazz pianist friends who turned one year older.

Didn't forget to credit the artist, Rick :-) !!

My friend thought the mouse was a fan (to cool off the heat in this place), hee hee.

Thx again.