Cat in the Lap Studio

Alphabet Art

2011-02-15T12:06:00.002-05:00

Here are six little paintings that are currently hanging in the One Foot Squared show at the Artists Gallery. They are each created using paper mache letters glued to 12x12inch boards covered with collage papers and paint. They are currently priced at $50 each but I will sell the whole set for $200. Similar paintings can be made with other letters or other animals.

Baby Boy Nursery Options and a Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T12:05:00.005-05:00

Well, obviosly, one of my 2011 Resolutions needs to be posting to this blog more often! Since my last post in AUGUST! (that's just embarrassing!) I have made a few changes with Cat in the Lap Studio. One of two big changes is that I have pulled my work out of the Artists Gallery near the oceanfront. It was sad to say goodbye but keeping up with a toddler and the gallery duties and deadlines was getting a little too difficult. And I wanted to concentrate more on my childrens' art which is not a good fit for the gallery. The second big change is that I am now on Etsy. Look for the link to my etsy shop at the bottom of this blog. I also have made a Cat in the Lap Studio Facebook site that I have posted on a little more recently than I have this blog. You can find a link to that site on the right side of this blog.

A friend has asked for some gift ideas for a baby boy. While compiling the examples, I realized that it would be a perfect blog post for the new year. So, here are some ideas for a new little bundle of trouble (because we all know baby girls are perfect, I write, as my little girl is busy trying to stick clean washcloths in the toilet!). Happy New Year to all!

There is the 3-D letter option: 2ft, 12 inch, and small letters spelling out initials or entire name. These can be collaged and then painted or just painted to match the nursery decor. They can also be hung without ribbon. They range in price from $65 to $35 to $15 each. (These are new, lower prices, by the way!)

As far as paintings go, here are a few options. Some of these are for sale and some are sold. Any subject or theme painting can be commissioned as long as it doesn't infringe on another artist's copyright. Paintings can be personalized with child's name also.

These sailboat paintings are both for sale and measure 9x12 on canvas. $45 ea.

And I do love to paint silly subjects! (Monkeys are not for sale)

Paintings in several parts are a fun idea too. Here are a few examples:

Both paintings above are for sale. Sailboats is four 6x6 canvases ($65) and the Leap Frogs are three 6 in. deep canvases ($55).

Here is a cute example of four paintings including the child's initial. Each painting here is 8x8. (NFS)

And then there is the custom name plaque option. I do these with a collage background or paint only. Sometimes I paint additional designs on top of the collage background. Bible verses or the name's meaning can also be added as well as small paintings of objects or animals.

(collage- 12x20, $65)

(all paint - 12x20 - $65)

(All paint - 11x14 - $55)

Medium sign - collage with antique glaze, Bible verse and sports equipment, 11x14 -$50

Square sign, 11x14 - all collage with Bible verse and antique glaze - $55

And finally, there is the option to combine. Here are the paintings and name plaque that I just finished for my new little second cousin, Matthew Nathan.

The small sign on its own would cost $40 It is all paint. The tree paintings are paint over collage and it would be $65 for the three. They are 8x8 each. I could work out a deal for the entire project if partner pieces like this were commissioned.

There is one last idea that I am dying to try. The previous post, from August, has some large paintings that combine the 3D letters with the 2D surface. I really want to paint some "E is for Elephant" or even "E is for Eli" smaller paintings that combine one 3D letter into the work. View the previous post for an idea of what this would look like, except on a smaller scale and even more whimsical.

And finally, I am going to offer my first "deal" since that seems to be what all the other artists do! It is 10 friends for 10% off. Refer me to ten friends either through facebook or blog followers, or even just an email. Cc me on the email that refers people to my website or this blog, or send me the list of the ten friends of yours that "like" my Cat in the Lap Studio facebook page. If you have already referred some friends, you can count them! You can email me at manda@catinthelapstudio.com or send me a message on FB. Thanks for your support and for reading this entire long blog post!

Surf's Up!

2010-08-18T11:55:00.000-04:00

It's time for Surf's Up! 2010 at the Artists Gallery. This show benefits Surfers Healing Network and the Tidewater Autistic Society of America and features various types of art (including painted surf boards) from local artists. This year, I rushed to complete my entries before heading out for some southern surf in N. Myrtle Beach. I was only able to complete two of my three paintings so I have an almost finished "G-narley" at home that I can finish up if there is a buyer interested in a set of three. I decided to combine my the 24 inch letters that I used for my childrens' art with my collage over acrylic on wood method used on much of my other work. Not being a surfer myself, I had to look up surfing terms on the "Riptionary" online just to make sure that my recall of surfer slang was authentic. So here is "J for Jazz the Glass" and "H for Hang Ten". Both are 24x24 inches combining paper mache' letters, collage papers and acrylic on wood. $100 for each.

The Local Scene

2010-08-02T12:05:00.003-04:00

I have some new paintings of Virginia Beach. The first four are on display at the Artists Gallery as part of the Annual Summerscapes Exhibition. They are done in acrylic on thick paper and include just a hint of collage papers in the actual work. I tried something different with my matting. Each of these four is then attached to a collaged background and then matted and framed. I don't have images of the final framed versions yet. The last scene (watercolor and pastel) was a commissioned piece from a very sweet girl named Jules who was lucky enough to be stationed here for six months AND get to live in the Hilton for that whole time. She wanted me to paint what she got to see everyday from her hotel balcony. Thank you Jules for the commission (in case you ever stumble across this site) and I hope all is well in Afghanistan. One sad note is that the Cuddly Hippo has closed its doors. So, I now have a load of childrens's art to find a place for and I am not sure what my next step will be. I am probably going to start posting things for sale on Etsy, so stay tuned for that site and info.

Catch 31, Acrylic, Oil Pastel and Collage. 16x20 (total size framed). $120

I painted a similar work two years ago for my first time entering a show at the gallery. It won second place in the Summerscapes exhibit that year and resulted in an invitation to be a permanent part of the gallery - something I have thoroughly enjoyed. I decided to paint the scene from a slightly different perspective and this time without people.

King Neptune, Acrylic, Oil Pastel and Collage. 16x20 (total size framed). $120

Rocking Out Under the Palms, Acrylic, Oil Pastel and Collage. 16x20 (total size framed). $120

I have sold all my paintings of the rocking chairs at Catch 31 on the boardwalk so I decided to paint a few more scenes of them. It is such a peaceful yet vibrant place to enjoy the view.

Two Rockers, Acrylic, Oil Pastel and Collage. 16x20 (total size framed). $120

King Neptune and the Rockers, Watercolor, Pastel and Pen. 12x24. Commission - SOLD.

All five works will soon be available in prints and maybe even magnets. Check the Artists Gallery for details or email me for info - manda@catinthelapstudio.com

3D Letters for the Cuddly Hippo

2010-06-10T16:31:00.001-04:00

Here are the latest samples for the Cuddly Hippo store in Hampton (and possibly the Norfolk location). The letters are made from paper mache so they are very light. All of these examples have been covered with collage papers but I will soon be doing some that are just paint.

These letters are 8 inches each and range from $20-25 per letter.

The Cuddly Hippo

2010-05-21T11:54:00.001-04:00

I am now the artist for The Cuddly Hippo, a children's boutique with locations in MacAurthur Mall in Norfolk and in Hampton. Here are some of the samples that I have on display there. Samples may be purchased or used to order custom work. Visit the store or my website for ordering details. http://thecuddlyhippo.com/index.html

Beached Sails

Acrylic over collage on canvas

9x12

$55

Sailboat at Sea

Acrylic over collage on canvas

9x12

$55

Three Little Birds

Acrylic over collage on wood hearts

$90

Name Plaques and Monograms:

Alex -11x14 oval (all paint) $85

Ella Grace - Double Name 9x12 ea (Collage) $90

H Monogram - 9x12 (all paint) $45

Jacob - 12x20 (collage) $95

Spring Work

2010-05-21T11:40:00.000-04:00

I haven't updated this blog in quite some time but that doesn't mean that I haven't been painting! Here are some new pieces including my entries into the "Bloomin' Art Show" at the gallery in April and new work that I displayed at the VB Art and Wine Festival by the Fountain in May.

Tulips and Daffodils

Collage and Acrylic on canvas

14x18

$100

The Coneflower and the Bee

Acrylic over Collage on canvas

12x30

$150

The Pink Lady and Her Suitors

Acrylic over Collage on canvas

12x30

NFS

A Dahlia a Day

Acrylic over Collage on canvas

Six separate paintings - 6x6 ea.

$35 ea. (top middle is sold)

Summer Bouquet

Acrylic over Collage on wood

16x20

$115

Childhood

Mixed Media on wood

12x18

$100

Sunfish

Acrylic over collage on wood

7x12

$50

Courage

Acrylic over Collage on wood

7x12

$55

The Beach Thinker

Acrylic over collage on canvas

6x18

$65

Boardwalk Paradise

Acrylic over collage on canvas

6x18

$65

Collecting Shells

Acrylic over collage on canvas

6x18

$65

VA Beach Blizzard 2010

Acrylic over collage on wood

7x12

$55

It's Raining Cats and Dogs!

2010-03-05T11:41:00.001-05:00

Tonight is the opening of the gallery's SPCA benefit show featuring cat and dog art. It is always a fun night, with people dressing up, voting on "Top Dog" and "Top Cat" artwork, and carrying around adorable kittens that the SPCA brings over for adoption. I will beg for a kitten, as always, and then claim Callie wants one, which NEVER works. The "boys" will sit at home hoping that we don't bring back another cat and wishing that they could have gone with us to see their portraits on the walls of the galleries. I hung last year's entries on my wall for display and entered five new paintings. When I finish this blog, I am off to work on cat ears and tails for Callie and I to wear tonight. We will also be donning our "Afro-chic" leopard print boots (me) and shirt (Callie). Good thing we just "happen" to have animal print clothing items around the house -- not because I am obsessed with buying or anything ;)

Fresh Air Nap

Acrylic 24x36, framed

$275

Are You Lauging at my Muffin Top?

Acrylic and Collage 16x20ish? gallery wrapped

$80

Sad Clown/ Happy Clown

Acrylic and Collage 5x7 each, gallery wrapped

(two separate paintings)

$25 each

All Girls Love Shoes!

Acrylic and Collage 6x12 gallery wrapped

$45

Entries from last year:

The Stand Off

Mixed Media, 9x12

(this painting will be part of the silent auction to benefit the gallery)

Window Basking

Mixed Media 9x12

$60

The Watch Cat

Mixed Media 9x12

$60

"Scrappers": Sitting, Sleeping and Pouncing.

wood scraps, wire, paint

5x7 each

$25

One Foot Squared Show at the Artists Gallery

2010-02-05T11:29:00.004-05:00

Here are my entries for the show that opens tonight at the Gallery. We were allowed to enter up to six works and I thought that doing six small paintings sounded like a piece of cake. I got a great head start (for me, considering I usually start a day or two before something is due) but these paintings took much longer than I expected. And I guess it makes sense considering that it is really six square feet of surface to cover!

The reception for the show is tonight from 6:30 -8:30. The show lasts through the end of February.

Water Lilies

Acrylic over Collage on wood

Each painting is 12" squared

$70 for each piece

(detail)

Peonies and Butterflies

Acrylic over Collage on wood

Each piece is 12" squared

$70 for each piece

(detail)

One Foot Squared Show at the Artists Gallery

2010-02-05T11:23:00.002-05:00

Sailboats in Four Parts

Acrylic over Collage

Each part is 6x6 inches

$85

(detail of one square)