Cats painting? Oh yes, my friends and there is a book written about it. I was pricing books for the AAUW book sale that we hope to hold this year and there was another couple pricing books for part of the time I was in there. Somehow we came to talk about pets which moved to cats and all things related. While I was pricing the husband was looking around at some of the offerings that will be for sale and he found me the most perfect book. Some may call it oddball but I call it perfect.
Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics by Heather Busch and Burton Silver is brilliant in a way I had not expected. The book was written in 1994 and you can still obtain copies on Amazon (link above) if it is something that you need to have. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have to share just a few reasons why that is so.
I don’t have permission from the authors to share much more than a brief review but I am hoping they won’t mind if I share a couple of their fabulous photos. Basically the book is a look at the history of cats in art and the idea that they are motivated to create paintings as part of their territorial marking behavior.
The book is split into four basic parts — a historical perspective, theories of feline marking behavior, Twelve Major Artists featuring 12 award winning felines and finally other forms of artistic expression which got quite a few guffaws from me.
Take a look at Buster who is recreating Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. Apparently his interpretation is that the blue marks are territorial and in this painting they indicate ownership of the inverted object. Seriously –there are people who spend a lot of time working on this so I trust their words. I certainly would not have come up with that on my own.
Without doubt my favorite part of the book was the part that shared different artistic expression forms other than painting. Basically these include torn couches, scratches on fence posts, torn venetian blinds, litter box scratchings and of course — gifts of mice arranged artistically.
Just when you think you have seen it all you find a book on cat painting and know you haven’t. I love that this book found its way into my hands and I will happily return it so that others can have the pleasure as well.
Have you ever run across a book that made you giggle like this one did for me? I would love to hear about it in the comments. Remember that each comment made on any post this month means a 50 cent donation to Copeland Oaks Life Care Fund.
11 Comments
Leave a commentThis may be a “layer” too far! About 30 years ago, my sis and I had fun with the book “Sniglets” which were made-up names for things that didn’t have names. Exampl: there was a singlet for that action when you open and close the mailbox door again to make sure your letters dropped into the box. Thanks Beth Ann
The things you can find out there. Amazing that someone took the time for this. 🙂
Verrrrry interesting! There was a class at my local dog training center for dogs to paint. I didn’t take Katie to that one, too much fur to clean up. But they let the dogs walk in paint and then walk on canvas. I think. Or something like that. I can imagine it was a huge mess!
What a clever find!! But then you and I already knew that cats are very smart!
Beth Ann, you have such a talent for coming up with the most amazing things. Girl, you are sure educating this woman.
What an interesting book, Beth! I’m so glad you enjoyed the find, and I enjoy your blog. Many blessings, dear one.
“Fat Cat Art” is a hoot too. It is by Svetlana Petrova and her cat Zarathustra.
I will have to find that one! Thanks!
We had an elephant at the Phoenix Zoo that held her paintbrush in her trunk. I think her name was Ruby and she would paint the letter “R” on her paintings.
Our dog Missy has such a big “happy” tail, I would not leave a container of paint anywhere near her!
Cute! Looks so interesting!
Well, that is certainly different. I always knew our dearly departed Callie was one smart feline, but she never did take up painting. 😉