Cat Art: Calvin by BZTAT

Recently, I was lucky enough to win a digital portrait of one of my pets from the artist BZTAT. Her work is contemporary, colorful and bold, and her goal is to capture the essence of her subjects.

I was thrilled to win the custom portrait, but for this particular prize, I had to pick only one pet. That’s a challenge when you live with three dogs and four cats. Logical Susan told me to simply choose a photo I like the best. Emotional Susan was sure that the six unchosen creatures would feel sad and unloved. Or maybe jealous and irritated.

“How would the others know who you chose?” asked Logical Susan.

“They’ll know,” said Emotional Susan. “They’ll know.”

But I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity for an original work by a talented artist, so I provided BZTAT one of my recent favorite photos–of Calvin–and tried to ignore Emotional Susan’s warnings.

My original photo of Calvin

I love so many things about this picture: from his little pink nose to the look in his eyes. I sent the photo to BZTAT, and hoped the other cats and dogs wouldn’t feel slighted.

And this is what she created!

Calvin, by BZTAT

Beautiful, isn’t it? While the original is blacks and greys and soft whites, BZTAT’s  portrait sings with color. Blues and purples are splashed throughout, making Calvin’s green eyes–and his pink nose–glow. Somehow, she knew to focus in on those elements.

Of course a great piece of art should be framed, hung and appreciated, so I bought a simple frame and mat that I thought would do it justice.

Because I will find any excuse to whip out my camera, I decided to take a picture of the framed Calvin next to the real one before I hung it up (the artwork, not the cat).

Calvin loves to lounge (what cat doesn’t?) and it was easy enough to find him in a relatively photogenic spot.

The subject and his portrait

I thought it turned out pretty well. Then Calvin noticed that the screen on the back of my camera made shiny flashy spots on the floor.

Ooh, what’s that?

The photoshoot was over quickly after that. However, the kitty stomping, pouncing and investigating that ensued attracted the attention of Elsa Clair, Busy Cat. 

While Calvin was searching for the disappearing spot, Elsa Clair turned her attention to the portrait of a cat that was not Elsa Clair.

Now the secret was out.

What is this thing?

And, of course, since Elsa Clair is like most cats–delicate, graceful creatures that glide through life like a whispered breeze through the trees…she knocked it over.

Oops. Did I knock over the portrait of a cat that isn’t me?

I set it back up in case I could entice Calvin to pose by it again. Instead, Elsa Clair sauntered over and re-inspected, making sure  the featured feline hadn’t changed. Then she turned to me and said, “I will never understand why you chose that foolish fop of a cat for the portrait, when you could have true beauty .” 

At least I’m pretty sure that’s what she said.

Seriously. I think you could have found a better subject.

Not wanting to hear the same message from the rest of my menagerie, I hung the picture up in a special spot in my office.  I think it looks awesome against my sea green walls.

Hanging up

And yes, that’s the sound of Emotional Susan saying, “I told you so.”

Do your pets talk to you? Do they tell you when they disagree with your decisions?

This post is linked up with the Caturday Art Blog Hop. Stop by to check out some of the other beautiful and creative cat art.

You may also like:

• Portrait of a Cat
• Artify Your Cat

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