Chardonnay Ray

Chardonnay Ray ©2009 Karen Mathison Schmidt
5 x 7 • acrylic on Gessobord
gloss varnish for protection and easy cleaning
SOLD • private collection, San Jose, California

I'm pretty sure I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again -- I love painting my pets! Ray is forever forging ahead on the search for new and different napping places. Here he is lounging on a wine carton in my studio. It must be noted that the carton no longer contains wine, but various and sundry items which are destined someday to be unpacked and put in their proper place. Someday. Some other day. Not today. I’m too busy painting.

Here are my work in progress photos:
First, the sketch using only black and white paint.



2. blocking in some color, using glazing medium mixed with the paints. At this point I'm not too concerned about the fact that his face looks kind of like a feline version of the joker. I know I can fix that later.



3. adding a glaze of burnt sienna over the whole painting:



4. now, developing the details. The fast drying time of the acrylics enables me to work from dark to light, which I love.



5. I always like to finish the eyes first. That's where most of the personality is! And see, I'm starting to fix his mouth so he doesn't look so joker crazy.



Here are some close-up details, so you can see how I layer colors loosely over the background layers. I think the colors look so much richer when you let the viewer's brain do the mixing.

The Fine Art of Cat Napping

Today Ray, expert snoozer, demonstrates various techniques for napping in the workplace.

1. The Using The Keyboard As A Pillow While Dangling Your Legs Off the Edge of the Desk technique:


It must be pointed out that this technique is not for the novice, because it involves knowing precisely where your center of gravity lies - knowing exactly how close to the edge of the desk you should position yourself to get the free flow of air around your legs and tail, without allowing your body weight to pull you gradually over and onto the floor, which would cause a very rude and possibly traumatizing awakening. This knowledge can only come from months, possibly years, of napping experience.

2. The Using the Scanner As A Pillow Technique. Self explanatory.


3. The Using the Notebook As A Pillow Technique combined with The Full Body Blowout Power Nap in the Sweet Spot Between the Keyboard and the Monitor:


Feel free to try these techniques in your own workplace (at your own risk) or use them as a springboard to come up with your own napping ideas.

Happy snoozing!

The peaceable office ...

An average workday – as you can see, Bailey has settled quite nicely into the new office space.

... and here’s Ray in his favorite spot in front of the fan: