No. 4: Bittersweet

We have two cats, recently rescued from an elderly assisted living and retirement center during a policy change mandating that no animals may be kept in residence. They are named Buddy and Sissy, and they are both quite vocal. They talk to us and they sit at the window or screen door and chatter at the birds outside.

Daily Painting number four is influenced by a black and white engraving by L.J. Bridgeman from 1898.

Engraving: Merry Christmas Mrs. Pussycat - L.J. Bridgman 1898

I have rendered the above engraved image in oil color on a 6" x 6" prepared board with effort towards a chiaroscuro effect of light-dark. I imposed birds and blooms that are figured for a springtime rather than wintertime season. The clapboard siding is reminiscent of an old New England farmhouse. The coloring of the birds is rendered from a separate 100-year-old lithograph diecut remnant. The bright and cheery colors contrast with the building's drab facade.

Original Painting: Bittersweet - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Why "Bittersweet"? Well, I am the cat. Figuratively trapped inside the New England farmhouse. Would rather be outside chasing the birds and doing what I do best. Currently though, unemployed from my own natural and chosen endeavors. I can see and hear through the screened window. The cacophony of the world of birds is just beyond my reach but well within view. My current environment is more drab and there is a hint of more color and activity in the outside world. That's bitter and sweet for me.

The birds pitter and patter about the bushes and blooms and they squawk at me with great energy with all sorts of taunts and complaints. They are in the wide, open world and seemingly enjoying every moment of my imposed "incarceration" that keeps me from their company. There is something about the birds remaining in close proximity to me, the cat, that is just a hint of their seemingly ignorant dysfunctional behavior. Why don't they just fly away? That's sweet and bitter for them.

And the color of the bittersweet vine is used for the birds....orange and yellow and brown. Against the drab and chiaroscuro background.

I gotta go. One of the cats is calling my name.