Ink & watercolor in Aquabee 6×9 sketchbook
This is Busby’s favorite perch. He sits on top of the stereo speakers that are on top of the fridge, somehow flying up there via a leap onto the counter, then the microwave then the fridge, then the speakers. The speakers are separated so some of his belly is suspended between them. I tried to teach him not to jump on the counter, but teaching cats anything has always seemed pretty hopeless.
Today was another cat fun day. Sometime last night while I was sleeping Fiona (not pictured…this is Busby) stole a package of dried split peas off the kitchen counter, carried them under my bed (where she also stores other booty such as Q-tips and pushpins and my favorite Smart Wool socks) and ripped open the package, scattering piles of those fun little pea pellets everywhere. I vacuumed them up (have to remember to empty the vacuum bag) and the rat-a-tat-bam-bam-bam sound of them being sucked up scared Busby so much he went and hid most of the morning. He’s found a really good new hiding place — I searched the whole house three times and never found him.
I was working on finishing an oil painting today. I don’t know why I force myself to finish things that have no chance of being successful, but I do learn from the process and every now and then I manage to rescue a painting and make it work. In this case I’m getting the chance to learn how to exploit the brushstrokes and thick rich paint that show in oils instead of trying to make oil paintings flat and smooth and detailed like watercolor. It’s amost as hard a transition as starting to use white paint. It’s just really foreign after years of painting with watercolor.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
11 replies on “Fridge sitter”
A very “I will sit here if I want to” expression – lovely loose sketch.
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jANA!! I LOVE THIS!!! So loose and juicy! he looks ferocious!
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Well yes, looks like Busby is the boss! 🙂
Lovely sketch.
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This is so good, Jana! You’ve really captured that superior feline attitude.
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Great piece, Jana.
I think that you captured the grain of the wood behind the cat perfectly (for some reason, my eye was drawn to that).
I know how you feel regarding forcing yourself to finish something. I think it’s a fine line. I struggled with that a lot when writing.
I ultimately agree with you. It’s best to fight your way through and try to learn what you can. However, push yourself too hard and you might burn out.
Like I said…it’s a fine line.
Great painting!
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I love that superior look on his face that cats do so well. You captured it perfectly.
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His expression is priceless! It really is king of the castle. You should visit Toni Kelly’s blog. She just drew her cats, too!
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I love this one! He looks pretty happy up there.
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That could be my cat LIly up there. I always love it when people sketch their cats and tell stories. i need to do that more. Your sketching and stories have been great inspiration to me.
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such a contrast from the tight detailed paintings above! of course I know this a sketch done under different circumstances, one of the reasons I love sketches so, the quick loose line and narrative quality, you’re caught his “yes I’m king of the refrigerator speaker mountain, what of it?” look soo well! ha! wonderful!
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As beautiful and skillful your watercolors are, there’s just something about this “Busby sketch” that I adore! Maybe it’s the intimacy of knowing the story of Busby and Co., sitting on the fridge, jumping to the counter, etc. I don’t know, but I love this sketch. Busby’s looks like a brute!
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