Cats and fish

I've been resting my right hand this week and avoiding the palette knife due to a repetitive strain injury.  I have a big project coming up so I don't want to risk overdoing it and having real problems later, so small pieces for short periods of time, using different motions seems to do the trick right now.  Pieces like this series of little cards that will be available soon as downloadables from my Etsy shop.

The originals are in watercolour and will be available, once constructed.  Yes, I'm even having challenges doing that this week in terms of hand flexibility.  But hopefully, by the end of the weekend, I'll have the bugs sorted out and have downloads available with instructions on how to make them come to life.

I plan on more fish and cat cards like these and I'm always happy to receive new inspiration from other cat lovers. Just send a message including a clear photo showing your cat's face and eyes in a forward facing pose and he or she may be a future greeting carrier! 

Custom cards

As a child, I would spend hours creating dolls and houses and theatres and puppets out of cardboard, paper and boxes.  It seems that never leaves me entirely.

I have some tendonitis or similar in one hand and am giving it a little rest from the palette knife, but can never stay away completely, so this weekend I thought I'd do some work on an articulated card concept I've been playing with.  These will be available as printable sheets that can be cutout and assembled.  I have a couple of pieces completed but not assembled yet, as the cutting out is an issue for me right now.  These are created on 250lb watercolour paper, then painted with watercolour.  I haven't used my watercolours in ages and quite enjoyed using them again.  I love how the colours meld together making them perfect for creating fish.

I'm considering offering custom cards of pets using this template. The purchaser would provide the face of the cat in a photograph (there will be dog ones too) and the original will be shipped.  This prototype has Tripod as the model (he works for food only he told me)  It comes with several insert tags that one can write messages on depending on the circumstance.  Its 9" tall and 4.5" at the widest point.   Definitely not a toy, but a unique piece of art can can be framed or given as a unique gift.

I'd love to know what you think of the concept.