Friday, March 29, 2024
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The Spring Kitten

hand-tinted block print of a white kitten on a branch with flowers
The Spring Kitten, hand-tinted block print © B.E. Kazmarski

I once had a pure white long-haired kitty with pea green eyes and a pink nose named Sally. She was also completely deaf, and completely fearless; without distraction, she lived in her own little world, full of sleep and joy and play. She was the inspiration for many sketches, paintings and photos, and for this little piece as well.

detail of hand-tinted block print
Detail of hand-tinted block print.

Almost everywhere I’ve lived there has been a quince bush, an old-fashioned favorite for its early bright pink flowers—so early, in fact, that the bush in my neighbor’s yard in the years when Sally was young bloomed every year during the January thaw, and then snow would fall on the bright pink blooms, nestling in the curve of the branches like Sally when she’d found a good cozy spot.

detail of block print
Detail of block print.

The style of this design was inspired after studying and practicing many illustration traditions, from Asian-inspired block prints and brush paintings to metal and wood etchings and block prints used for books and periodicals. My reference photo (which I kept) shows the branch with the flowers against a brilliant blue sky, and a soft little pile of snow in the angle which became the sleeping kitten.

linoleum block print of white kitten on branch
The Spring Kitten, block print © B.E. Kazmarski

Also inspired by the idea of a book illustration, it’s just a little thing, image is 5″ x 3.5″, with mat and frame outside dimensions 10″ x 8″.

I offer a framed hand-tinted print on Etsy, and the other variations listed below in the Marketplace on my website.

Print only, $15
Hand-colored print, $25
Matted and framed, no color, $30
Matted and framed, hand-colored, $40

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All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Bernadette

From health and welfare to rescue and adoption stories, advocacy and art, factual articles and fictional stories, "The Creative Cat" offers both visual and verbal education and entertainment about cats for people who love cats, pets and animals of all species.

2 thoughts on “The Spring Kitten

  • Lovely print. Sally sounds like such a sweet kitty. We have a few deaf kitties at the shelter where I volunteer, and they are really are in their own worlds. It seems like such a peaceful place.

    Reply
    • Of all the paintings and sketches I did of Sally, and they were many because she was so beautiful, this one really reflects how I sensed her happiness in her beautiful little world.

      Reply

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