This version of Parachute Ride (18 x 24”) served as a study for a larger painting that was included in the 2019 exhibition titled, Cats Rule: The Art of Michael Crane, at the Scarab Club in Detroit, Michigan. The inspiration for the painting was from a James Bond film, Moonracker, 1979. Luckily for our parachuting feline friend, Jaws is nowhere to be seen. This is one of my favorite paintings along with Rhino Ride.
Riga Mortis Cat
I painted Riga Mortis Cat during the Pandemic. The concept for the painting predates the Pandemic. It is based off an earlier sketch that I did while watching movies in the A-frame (our cottage in Michigan). The painting is meant to be funny—in the Kurt Vonnegut manner.
I plan on showing the painting at some point in 2021—possibly at the Pontiac Creative Arts Center in the Spring. Riga Mortis Cat would pair nicely with one of my other paintings called, Dead Cat…. the possibilities are endless!
Medusa Cat
Medusa Cat simply makes me laugh. I believe I have painted three version of Medusa Cat, each with a different background color (red, green, and the above). The snake heads remind me of the Pacman videogame character and the Medusa Cat’s green tongue really works well against the background/field color.
Balloon Ride
Balloon Ride is one of my favorite paintings that I have created in some time. The concept for the painting came about while I was working on a giant wooden “P” (8 x 4’) planned for the “POP! P’s of Pontiac” upcoming exhibition sponsored by the Pontiac Creative Arts Center. The show has been delayed due to the coronavirus however, Balloon Ride originally appeared on my giant “P.” I enjoyed it so much, I painted a second version (24” x 36”) which serves as a wonderful companion painting to Parachute Ride.
Muskox and Sleeping Cat
Muskox and Sleeping Cat was painted for a young friend (Rocco) who is an expert in all things animals and his favorite animal just happened to be the Muskox. Rocco and his parents (Tony and Laura) have hosted Michelle and myself at their family cottage in East Tawas (MI) many fun-filled weekends. We have taken to calling this friends circle our “Cottage Adventure Friends.”
Because of the obvious size difference between a cat and a Muskox, I chose to paint the orange cat sleeping on the back on the large animal. The sleeping cat is a departure from my typical equestrian cat sitting on top of various animal friends while waving.
Sheltering in Place
So, we, like everyone else, are sheltering in place. This Coronavirus pandemic is something we’ve never experienced before and it is wicked. We’re feeling a bit cooped up but we’re doing our part to practice the rules about washing hands, remaining six feet apart, etc – Snuggie cats wanted you to know they are taking this serious as well. Stay in everyone. We need to flatten the curve to beat this beast.
Mod-Byzantine Cat Holding a Purple Flower
Mod-Byzantine Cat encompasses a bit of art history, something I often indirectly feature in my work. For this piece, I used a faux gold background which I playfully link to Byzantine art because of the metallic gold backgrounds used some 600+ years ago in many mosaic compositions. This painting is another fun example of my playing around with different background treatments.
The cat holds a flower in keeping with my Otto Dix motif. I decided to paint the flower purple, which in this case represents nobility. I named the painting, “Mod-Byzantine Cat Holding a Purple Flower.” Juxtaposing the words Mod(ern) and Byzantine are exceptionally humorous in my mind.
On another note, during this time of uncertainty, stay safe and be well everyone.
A Tribute to The World's Greatest Cat
“Tigger Earned His Wings,” 2019, was painted shortly after our beloved orange tabby crossed over the rainbow bridge. Like the title suggests, Tigger really did earn his wings with Michelle and me. He was both rambunctious and loving. And, strangely enjoyed eating corn on the cob—I had never witnessed at cat literally doing this until Tigger entered our lives. He was also known to have ferreted corn on the cob out of the trash so he could glean what remained. We adopted him from the Detroit Humane Society many moons ago. If he would have lived just a little longer (January 2020), he would have been in our lives for fifteen years. This painting will live with Michelle and me for as long as we live as a reminder of how special Tigger really was to us.
Waving Snuggie Cat
I have been remiss in not discussing, “Waving Snuggie Cat,” 2018. This idea morphed from an earlier painting entitled, “Happy Assassin,” which showed in the Scarab Club’s Gold Medal Exhibition a few years ago. “Happy Assassin” (a cat wearing a smiley-faced snuggie) was based off a sketch I made about twelve years ago shortly after I purchased a smiley-faced cookie jar at a rummage sale. That said, I thought the idea of a standing full-length black cat, wearing a snuggie, was pretty darn sardonic. After all, you have a brightly colored snuggie which lends itself to early childhood and innocence, and then you have a black menacing cat inside waving at its audience.
