Tiger Barb, 2016 was painted at the Scarab Club. The idea was minted shortly after I started painting kuhli loaches. If memory serves me correctly, the primary sketch came to me quickly and there was no need to tinker with the composition. My wife and I currently have five green tiger barbs that buzz around our 30-gallon tank in our basement. They are essentially schooling fish, so it probably would have made more sense to have painted multiple tiger barbs on a single canvas. Maybe next time!
Death on a Pale Rat, 2020
Death on a Pale Rat, 2020 is a play on the DIA’s great painting, “Death on the Pale Horse” by Benjamin West (1738—1820). I believe my mentor at the DIA, Nancy Rivard Shaw was very involved in the painting being purchased by the museum. At any rate, this West painting has always had a special place in my heart.
I painted an earlier version (8 x 10” on panel) that appeared in my Scarab Club exhibition, “Cats Rule: The Art of Michael Crane in 2019.”
I have been toying with the idea of painting a large canvas with artist friend Mike McMath where we have a full-on battle with sword wielding Snuggie Cats, some of which are mounted on rats…could be epic!
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.
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.
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.
