Inspiration Avenue: Stormy weather (raining cats and dogs)

It really DID rain cats and dogs Thursday night. My dear friend Kathy didn't want me to drive home in the bad weather, but, although it was approaching midnight, I wanted to get home to my own feline. And uncharacteristically, I had nothing planned for this week's Inspiration Avenue challenge, which ironically was "stormy weather." So here it was Friday and I had not even started the challenge that Maggie laid out for us at the beginning of the week. Too much "partying" and sleepless nights this week had kept me from creating art.


While I visited my friend's art studio, I kept the idea of raining cats and dogs ever present in my mind. My friend even helped me by finding several dies I could use to cut out the cats and dogs. Those die cutting machines sure come in handy when your back is against the wall and your time is limited.

For this piece, I began with a piece of light green card stock, to which I stenciled punchinella (sequin waste) at an angle (depicting wind swept rain) in grey paint I made from black acrylic and white gesso. I glued tumbling cats and dogs to the page, then added the "weird" cat and dog at the bottom who I allowed to hide under the umbrella.

That is one bright umbrella! I cut it freehand from a used envelope that was still sitting on my table. I was looking for high contrast and feel I got it! There was practically no contrast between the cats/dogs and background, so I outlined each one and felt they looked better afterward.

So today I give to you a windswept and water soaked kitty and pooch who were caught in a windy Cat and Dog rainstorm! Thanks for the challenge Maggie. And since I've been awake for more hours than I can (or care to) remember, I now really MUST get some sleep!!