Boomer: Painting of a Dog

Artwork by BZTAT

August and September were such busy months for me, I have hardly had a chance to keep up with it all! From the Animal Instincts show, the Art of Kindness Paint-a-thon, working on a major commission for the Stark County Goodwill Community Campus (stay tuned--more to come about this), and developing the "Downtown Cats" mural project, I have been in a painting frenzy. And that doesn't even include the pet portraits that I have been creating! It's all good, because it is all what I love to do.

I completed the above portrait a few weeks ago but never got a chance to write about it here, so I thought I would go back. This was a very special portrait for a friend who lost his beloved dog Boomer in May of this year. Boomer was an American Eskimo Spitz who brought great joy to my friend's life for 13 years. My friend asked me to do a portrait of Boomer to remind him of all their great memories and adventures.

I started by abstracting an actual photograph of Boomer in his younger days using Photoshop filters to get a reference design for the painting. The reference design was then traced onto a canvas using an overhead projector.

I began as I always do, by painting the background black and blocking in colors for the basic shapes. I use a process of building up color by painting many layers of varied colors on top of each other, always leaving some trace of the underneath layers.

The completed painting is truly one of my favorites, partly because it was so special for Boomer's person, but also because I enjoy the overall artistic impact of the image.

Boomer's daddy was very happy with it as well.

If you are interested in a pet portrait of your animal, info about the process can be found here. Please send an email about your interest to: bztat@artadventuresstudios.com before making an order.

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Thought for the Day--Change the World

Artwork by BZTAT

Can you? Are you? Will you?
Will it be a better place when you are done?

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Hoedown Pawpawty on Twitter today!

From Brewskie Butt, official spokescat of Art Adventures Studios...

Yo Brew's Posse! We are havin' a hoedown pawpawty today (Saturday September 26--Sunday September 27, 2009) on Twitter! Time to get yer farm on and get into all the fun! You can find all the info about the pawpawty here on @FrugalDougal's blog and you can follow all the action here on Tweetgrid. It isn't on the schedule, but sometime today, I will hold a contest for a free print by @BZTAT during the pawpawty! The answer to the contest question will be somewhere in a post on this blog, so be sure to review the most recent posts. Be sure to follow me, @BrewskieButt so that you can send me Direct Messages for the contest.

The pawpawty raises money for a different animal charity each month. Be sure to contribute to Soi Dog Rescue, this month's designated charity.

Hope to see ya at the pawpawty!!!!

Have a BREW-tiful day!

The Brew

Life is an Adventure!

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OH near Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Sensory Feast National Juried Show--Second April Galerie

"Window"
Artwork by BZTAT

I featured this artwork on a previous "Thought for the Day" post. I brought it back today because this piece, a digital photo, was selected to be shown in the Sensory Feast National Juried Show at Second April Galerie. I thought that I would share a bit more about the inspiration behind the work.

“Window” is a digital image that I created through digital imaging filters, abstracting an original photograph that I took of a broken window. I actually took the photo for documentary purposes when a friend’s store was broken into. A failed burglar broke the window in a presumed attempt to steal merchandise, but was chased off by an alarm and an alert neighbor. Nothing was taken, except the sense of security and optimism held by the proprietor.

I was intrigued by the way the window glass shattered into a very beautiful pattern, despite the ugliness of the event that created it. It left me feeling philosophical, contemplating the sad quality of humanity that leads some to take from others. My friend was resilient, however, and beauty was found in some silver linings. And beauty was found in the random pattern of light playing with the broken glass.

Amazing beauty can be found in the most broken of things for those strong enough to seek it and brave enough to endure the process of resilience.

The Sensory Feast National Juried Show features artwork from local Canton artists and artists from around the country. I was privy to a sneak peak at the show yesterday, and it is a fabulous showing of artwork! The official opening of the show is Friday, September 25 with a reception from 5 pm to 9 pm. Lite refreshments as well as entertainment by Steve Jensen and Malcom Gold can be expected. A First and Second prize as well as a People's Choice (which you get to decide that evening!) will be presented. Second April Galerie is located at 324 Cleveland Ave. NW in the heart of the Canton Arts District.

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

"Downtown Cats" mural in Downtown Canton

Illustration of "Downtown Cats" mural to be placed on
a building in Downtown Canton, OH

I am very excited to announce my largest commission ever: The "Downtown Cats" mural that will be placed on the building currently occupied by HEAP in Downtown Canton, OH. The building at 201 5th St. NW is in the heart of the Canton Arts District next to the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

The mural depicts 4 cats sitting in windows shaped like those on surrounding buildings looking out onto a cityscape. Who are the 4 cats? The most famous downtown cats around, of course! Brewskie Butt, Art Adventures Studios official spokescat, and his housemates Noah, Slick and Who, will each be featured in one of the windows.

The mural will be painted in the studio on wood and then will be attached to the building. Each "window" will be approximately 4 ft. X 8 ft. Although I intend to blog about each step in the process, the formal unveiling of the mural is planned for July 2010.

I am very grateful to Tim Belden and the Timothy S. Belden Charitable Fund for commissioning the mural and for being such a solid supporter of the Canton Arts District. Tim is the genius behind the Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography, which has brought world class photography to Canton. I am also very grateful to Robb Hankins of ArtsInStark, the County Arts Council, for his support in developing this project, and to the Canton Development Partnership for their support.

There are so many amazing things going on in the Canton Arts District, and I am thrilled to be a part of all the excitement! Canton's downtown is being reinvented by the arts, and despite the economic difficulties facing the entire country of late, Downtown Canton continues to grow. As I post about the development of this project, I will also report on other great projects going on in the district.

Don't you wish you were in Canton?

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Thought for the Day

Artwork by BZTAT

"I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me--like food or water. "
–Ray Charles

Art of Kindness event raises $2500 + for Friends of Stark Pound!

Art of Kindness paintings by BZTAT

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, I engaged in a 12-hr painting marathon at Second April Galerie to raise money for Friends of Stark Pound animal rescue group. It was an intense but productive 12 hours! The 4 paintings pictured above were created and auctioned off, raising a total of $520!!! Proceeds from the entire Art of Kindness event totaled well over $2500!

We weren't sure how it would work, but I wanted to open up the auction of my paintings to Twitter fans. As it turned out, it was a huge success. All four paintings were sold to my official spokescat Brewskie Butt's Twitter fans! I cannot thank them enough for their interest in my artwork and their donations to Friends of Stark Pound!

Here are the individual paintings with the names of the top bidders:

White Dog by BZTAT

Purchased by @IamZorro


Blue Cat by BZTAT
Purchased by @Cheriswan


Yellow and White Cat by BZTAT
Purchased by PrettyKitties53


Brown and White Dog (Sylvie Dog) by BZTAT
Purchased by @SylvieDog

We also had donations from @PerrytheBirman, @Whskr, and @Gabby_da_Tabby.

Friends of Stark Pound and I are very grateful to all who came to the event at Second April Galerie and to those who participated via Twitter. Proceeds go directly to animals in need in Stark County.

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Tribute: Prayer for September 11, 2001

Artwork by BZTAT

Prayer for September 11, 2001

Dear God,
Today a part of my land
And a part of my people
Was reduced to a cloud of
Smoke, rubble and dust.

As the pain and dust linger,
Please help me to join hands
In peace, not rage,
With other spirits
Who seek to rise above.

I wrote this prayer on September 11, 2001, filled with sadness and both hope at the same time. The prayer was answered--I did join hands in peace with many people around the world in peace. Unfortunately, many others chose to do the opposite.

I was changed by the events of that day. I could not create for weeks. My artwork became more purposeful and expressive. Even now, as I create pet oriented art, there is always a purpose. Creating for the purpose of uplifting souls is always a part of my work.

The drawing above is the first artwork that I created after September 11, 2001. It took me many weeks to accomplish it. It will forever be one of my most favorite works.

My hope is that someday, peace will prevail in our world. Today, I again join hands with kindred spirits.

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Art of Kindness Paint-a-Thon and Silent Auction

Artwork by BZTAT

Are you interested in getting a great deal on some original BZTAT artwork and helping out an animal rescue at the same time? Here is your chance!!!

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, I will be engaging in an exclusive “Paint-A-Thon”, painting animal themed artworks non-stop from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at Second April Galerie. All works that I create in that 12 hours will be auctioned off in a silent auction to benefit Friends of the Pound, a Stark County, OH animal rescue group. You can bid on the artwork either on site at Second April Galerie or online via Twitter.

The Paint-A-Thon is in conjunction with a fund raising and animal adoption event entitled the Art of Kindness. Billed as “An Evening of Fun, Food and Furry Friends!”, the Art of Kindness will include an animal themed art exhibit showcasing local talent; a silent auction of pet-related items; music by Roger Phillips and Ken Weiss; food and drink; and lots of furry frivolity. Dogs and cats available for adoption will be on hand to greet those who attend.

Artwork by BZTAT

Several artists from the Stark County area have contributed animal-themed artworks to be shown in a very special art exhibit. The showing is curated by Brennis Booth, co-owner of Second April Galerie.

“We are thrilled to have some of the finest talent in the area represented in this showing,” said Booth. “We are also happy to help out Friends of the Pound, where our own dog Chance came from. He has brought so much joy to our lives.” Second April plans to donate all of their proceeds from the sale of the artworks in the exhibit to the rescue organization.

Friends of the Pound is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to coordinate community outreach, rescuing and fund-raising efforts for the puppies and dogs being held in the Stark County Dog Pound. Friends of the Pound operates in cooperation with the Stark County Dog Warden's staff to significantly enhance the quality of life for the homeless puppies and dogs and to increase their opportunities for placement through adoptions or rescue groups.

Artwork by BZTAT

The Art of Kindness fun begins at 5:00 pm on September 10 at Second April Galerie (324 Cleveland Ave., NW) in downtown Canton and lasts that evening until 9:00 pm. The art exhibit will remain on display until September 19, 2009.

Bidding on BZTAT artworks will begin at 5:00 pm EDT and conclude around 9:00 pm EDT on September 10. I will have assistants tweeting photos of the works on Twitter as I am creating them and after they are completed. Follow #bztatptg on Twitter to get the latest updates. If you would like to submit a bid, please send a tweet with your bid amount and #bztatptg written in the tweet. Your profile must be visible in Tweetgrid for us to receive the bid. All bids must be in $5.00 increments. A 10-minute warning will be tweeted to announce the conclusion of the auction 10 minutes before bidding stops.

I suggest that you follow the action on Tweetgrid to get real time updates. (We are not responsible for any technical difficulties that may occur as a result of Twitter or associated application interruptions.) Bids will also be taken on site at Second April. Should a Twitterer win the bid on a painting, shipping will be free within the USA. International shipping outside of the USA will be the responsibility of the winning bidder.

Artwork by BZTAT

Even if you do not want to bid on the artwork, I hope that you will still participate and help retweet the action! We want to make this the best fund raising event ever for Friends of the Pound. Thanks for your support!!!

If you would like to donate to Friends of the Pound, you can do so through my spokes cat Brewskie Butt's fundraising page or by clicking on the widget in the sidebar.

Contact: 330.451.0924 or secondapril at sbcglobal.net for information about Second April Galerie. For Silent Auction donations and information about Friends of the Pound, contact Rose Hayne at rhayne at neo.rr.com

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.