I have absolutely no business living this far north

You see, I am affected by lack of sunlight and cold weather.

Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D.
 
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes depression in the spring or early summer.
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications. Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.


This last winter was very long it has only been warm and sunny hear for a few weeks.  I had scheduled a Cat-a-thon for April, but  just couldn't make myself do it. The weather was still cold and grey.    I managed to get two done and another started that really just was not making me happy.  I almost gave up on myself and my art.  I had all kinds unpleasant  thoughts that I will not get into here.  Just know that this is the worst that it has ever been.

The sun is out and my mood is sunny too.  I am ready to start filling paper with the kitties again.
I am not going to give myself a schedule but I will keep you updated with photos and news.

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE !

Cats are still being painted.

I regret that I was not able to work on any art today.   I have been having small bouts of vertigo for the past 7  days. Today was particularly bad.  I wound up at my Dr's office.  

I will resume work on the fab felines as soon as the studio stops spinning.  

Cat Lady ~ Jonathan's Portrait

I fixed the problem with Jonathan's eye span.

Ready to start the next kitty tomorrow! 

Crazy Cat Lady Leigh / Jonathan

I am a bit late posting today.   Jonathan was soothing to paint.  I started out with color pencil

 

I then started adding Oil Pastel.

I need to let him set up over night and I will add his wiskers.

It is ashamed that the richness of the color does not show up well in this photo.  I will try to get a better photo in natural light.

 Edit:  I am not happy with this portrait.  I as I went the eyes seemed to get farther apart.  His right eye needs to move in quite a bit.  My Painting Schedule will be off by at least two days. 

Crazy Cat Lady ~ Jenna's Cali

I was so excited to get started that I forgot to take progress photos!

Cali was a joy to do.  I love her expressive eyes they seem to plead "cuddle with me"

Name of Portrait

I have 5 spaces open should I save one for your cat?   See what this is about here

Tomorrow it begins!

Tomorrow begins Crazy Cat Lady Month! 


April  1st ~ Jenna / Cali
April  3rd ~ Leigh / Jonathan
April  5th ~ Drew / Gandi
April  7th ~ Zenka / Queen Mab
April  9th ~ Charlotte / Phoenix
April 11th ~Charlotte/ Arwen
April 13th ~ Tanya / Jupiter
April 15th ~ Dan / Jasmine
April 17th ~ Rachel / Eddie

Each finished painting will have it's own post.
Please understand that I will be using a photo and the finished portrait for future advertisements of my art.  As well as offering prints of some of the portraits.

Instead of sending an invoice out I will be placing a PayPal button like the one below.  You fill in your name / cat name. Shipping address is requested after click.  You can pre-purchase or wait to see the portrait.   If you choose not to purchase the portrait I will place it in my Etsy Store. Portraits will be shipped out May 12th
 As you can see I still have room for 5  more cats.  Come join the fun!
Email your photo or photos to donna.triska@yahoo.com 

Name of Portrait

Hurry up Already and Spring!

There are only 11 days left in March and I still have piles of snow in my yard.  I don't know about you, but I am ready for the tulips to push up though the dirt and the lilacs to bloom.  I am ready to put the winter coat away.   And just between you and I, I am ready  to lose that winter weight I that I have gained!

I am also looking forward to my Crazy Cat Lady Month.  April 22, is my birthday.  I will not tell you how old I am but I will give you a clue.  I saw Joan Jett and the blackhearts when they were the opening act for The Police. 

In celebration of my birth month I am painting 15 cats.  The paintings will all be 8 x 8 inches on professional grade watercolor paper.  Just under half of the spots have been claimed at the celebration price of $60.00. I normally charge $120.00 for this size. 

To claim a spot just shoot me an email with:

 your name and address
 a good photo of your favorite kuddle kitty
 I only have room for 7 more


www.donna.triska@yahoo.com