Favorite quote

"An optimist is someone who goes after Moby Dick in a rowboat and takes the tartar sauce with him." --Zig Ziglar

Retta
=^..^=

Lonely Dignity...

Jim was driving along the highway through Eagle Point here in Southern Oregon when he saw this old wooden historic home. It was originally built in 1870 by a civil war veteran. Jim said: "The dramatic lighting gave it a feeling of lonely dignity."



Enjoy,
Retta
=^..^=

Change o' pace...

Not a lot of finished art to post right now...a time of reflection, dreaming, analyzing, musing...letting it all "perk"...a shift in priorities for a season.

So, in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to highlight some of Jim's photography. He has a series of photos taken of various architecture in Oregon.

Today's is amusing to me.... He was driving along the road through Gold Hill, and just HAD to stop when he spotted this house. He said "As you can see, some our folks in Oregon have their own vision of beauty and architecture!"

He titles it: "Distinctive Oregon Housing"



Enjoy,
Retta
=^..^=

PS: You can see more of Jim's photography at
our Yessy Gallery

"Little Cat's Four Season Fantasy"

Well, since this IS my blog, I think I will finish up the parade of cats with my own creation, "Little Cat's Four Season Fantasy".






Here's a close-up... click to enlarge...

And of course, here is the kitty that started it all...my inspiration...Butterfly, when she was a few months old, all tuckered out after a hard day playing "tiger".



Thanks for reading,
Retta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October 2006, "Little Cat's Four Season Fantasy" was shown at Lawrence's Jeweler, 232 E Main, Medford OR

"Cat Eyes" (Part 2)

And here are the rest of the pics for the wonderful "Cat Eyes"!







Happy Painting!
Retta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Cat Eyes" can be seen at Jacksonville Mercantile, 120 E California, Jacksonville OR

And last but not least...."Cat Eyes"!! (Part 1)

Okay, I've gotta admit it...this is one of my favorites! The imagination, creativity, design, color..it all works! I hope you enjoy "Cat Eyes", by artist Steven Bell, as much as I did!











Enjoy!
Loretta
=^..^=

"Independent Claws" (Part 2)

And here are the rest of the pics....








Enjoy,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Independent Claws" can be seen at Country Quilts, 214 E California, Jacksonville OR

Stand up for "Independent Claws"! (part 1)

This clever cat, by artist Dixie Kinser had us all in stitches! It lists the rights of cats...I have tried to post as many as I had photos for...very funny!

"TutankhCATmun"

This golden wonder, "TutankhCATmun", was created by artist Garret Kinser. He has quite a story regarding the gold paint...a mysterious color transformation...and the ultimate rescue of the "gold"! I'll let him tell it....;-)




Enjoy,
Retta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "TutankhCATmun" can be seen at Pacific Diamond Jewelers, 2 N Central, Medford OR

"Cheesy Rider" !!!

Oh, I wish I could show this one in person! It was so much fun. The artist who created "Cheesy Rider" is Joyce Feigner. Look close, and you might see the real metal studs in the motorcycle jacket!



Happy Painting,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Cheesy Rider" can be seen at Patini, 301 E Main, Medford OR

"Southern Oregon Feline League"

Hey, all you football fans! Here's the cat for you! This fun cat, "Southern Oregon Feline League", was created by artist Kathleen Ortiz. I loved all her attention to detail, right down to the fur and a real football on the turf.




Enjoy!
Retta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Southern Oregon Feline League" can be seen at Norris Shoes, 221 E Main, Medford OR

"Tribute To Sparky"

I loved this bright, powerful design! Last year the artist, Susan Whipple, painted a cat titled "Tribute to Larry". This years complete title is: "Tribute To Sparky (Larry's Best Friend)".




Enjoy,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction, "Tribute to Larry" (Sparky's Best Friend) can be seen at Pico's Bijou, 165 E California, Jacksonville OR

And next we have...."Aloha Cat"

Ahhhhh....this cat, by artist Leslee Ryerson, makes me feel COOL! It's been over 100 degrees here in Oregon several days running, with more to come. This one just makes me smile...soft tropical breezes...cool shade from palm trees...and can you see the sand and sea shells on the base??

Yep, "Aloha Cat" is just right!



Happy Painting,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Aloha Cat" can be seen at Top Stitch Bernina, 1596 Biddle Rd, Medford OR

"CATigraphy"

I soooo wish I had more photographs of this cat. It is decorated with beautiful calligraphy, using quotes from literature pertaining to cats. It was so much fun to read it! The title is "CATigraphy", by artist Anne Brooke. How imaginative!



Happy Painting,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "CATigraphy" can be seen at Terra Firma Home, 309 E Main, Medford OR

Number 9 in our Parade of Cats: "Kai"

Another imaginative cat with whimsical fish. I loved the way the artist, Katie Werly, painted the base to look like part of the pond. It is titled: "Kai". If only I had more pictures to show you from different angles!


Enjoy,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Kai" can be seen at Veranda, 322 Riverside, Medford OR

Back to the parade of cats! "Guardian of Secrets"

Okay, back to the cat statues...from the Pawsing for Art fundraiser for C.A.T.S., where local artists painted 3 ft high fiberglass cat statues which will be auctioned off in October of this year:

This is another wonderfully researched and executed design, by artist Sarah Elvington, titled: "Guardian of Secrets". She incorporated symbols with meaning from the Hopi people. I loved the creative use of texture on this cat.



Enjoy,
Retta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Guardian of Secrets" can be seen at Sacred World, 115 W California, Jacksonville, OR

Time out for some guffaws...

In my journey to wellness, here is one site on the internet that I have enjoyed and benefited from...this is a short video made by some fellow Spark enthusiasts. It cracked me up!

SparkPeopleTasteTest!

Enjoy the Journey,
Loretta
=^..^=

Don't miss this one! "LUCA"

This is definately one of those "ya gotta see it in person" works of art! The whole title is: "LUCA (Last Universal Cat Ancestor)". The artist, Anna Mantheakis, made it look like something discovered at some archeological dig. It is inscribed with all kinds of "ancient symbols" having to do with cats. Anna did a lot of research to find genuine symbols and references. I loved it!






Enjoy,
Retta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "LUCA" can be seen at Terra Firma Home, 309 E Main, Medford OR

Next in the show: "Mardi Paws"

Let's Party! This fun fantasy cat, "Mardi Paws" was created by Janet Fergus. If you look closely at the back, you will see her amazing mosaic work on this curved surface.




Happy Painting,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Mardi Paws" can be seen at Molly Reed, 237 E Main, Medford OR

"Barn Cat"

A horse lover! This fun, energetic cat, titled "Barn Cat", was created by artist Christalynn Gorecki.







Enjoy,
Retta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "Barn Cat" can be seen at Farmhouse Treasures, 120 California, Jacksonville OR

And next is..."ChingChing & LingLing"

This artist created TWO cats! These are the adorable twins, "ChingChing & LingLing", by artist Barbara L. Burnett. I wish I had more photos to do them justice.


Happy Painting,
Loretta
=^..^=

PS: Until the auction in October, "ChingChing & LingLing" can be seen at Facets Jewelry Studio, 24 N Bartlett, Medford OR