Quint and his paintings.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Here are the end results of Quint’s painting experiment. For a closer look, please click each painting photo. If you’d like to read the first part of our experiment, click here and the second part is here.

Quint’s Painting – Summer 2012 Series, Group 1, large/small.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Quint’s Painting. Fall 2012 Series, Group 1, large/small.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Quint’s Painting. Fall 2012 Series, Group 2, large/small.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Quint’s Painting. Fall 2012 Series, Group 3, large/small.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Quint’s Painting. Winter 2012 Series, Group 1, large/small.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Quint’s Painting. Winter 2012 Series, Group 2, large/small.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Mom wants to say more about what I like to do. I think she over-explains everything. *sigh* But I’ll let her talk.

Mom says: “What a fun project! At least, we had fun and we really do think Quint had fun too. We learned Quint is right pawed and prefers seasonal colors – bright Caribbean blues and greens for summer, peachs and grays in fall, soft silvery blues for winter. If we hadn’t already seen him painting with toothpaste and cat litter, we’d think his touching and batting the canvas was a little creepy. He’s so intense when he works and lets us know when he’s done by looking for a way out of his ‘studio.’

And of course afterward, he gets lots of kisses and a soft paw wash and treats and then, a nap in a sun puddle like all kitties deserve.

The hard part, it turns out, is photographing him when he’s busy. For someone who’s fairly photogenic the rest of the time, even mugging for the camera it seems, he strongly dislikes us recording him at work. We’ll keep trying to get better pictures.”

Or so they think…MOL!

“So, Quint, do you want to keep painting?”

If people like my work and want me to, absolutely! Can I? Can I? Please? Plu-eeeeaaasse?

“Would you mind parting with your work? If we were able to sell them and maybe donate one or two to good causes?”

If humans like them, and I can keep painting, seems to me we all win. Gotta pay for treats and toys somehow…oh, and more paint and square things too, I guess.

There you have it. Quint speaks. We’ll come up with a marketing plan after Halloween. If you have any ideas, please let us know! In the meantime, back to the studio. Thank you all for reading and supporting our little artist!

Quint Talks Painting. 2012 © Colehaus Cats.

We’re allowing Quint to spread his wings, er, paws a bit and embrace his inner creativity. You can see the first part of our experiment here.

With his ongoing habit of pawing at surfaces (and finally weening him off toothpaste flecks on bathroom mirrors) and with an idea and some Googling research, we found some non-toxic, child and pet-friendly water-based paint.

Uh huh. Oh, yes we did. And then we found some little canvases and a really big, high-sided box.

While Quint contemplated the world, sought inspiration and enjoyed a bit of autumn sunshine, we prepared his “studio.”

Quint Finding Inspiration. 2012 © Colehaus Cats.

First, we painted the canvases in soft colors and let them dry completely. Then we watered down some paint, put the canvases and the paint palette in the big box and with a bowl of warm water and a fluffy dry towel handy, we introduced Quint to the spread.

This is where the little man tilted his head and put his paw on Mom’s arm as if to say, “Let me take it from here.”

Quint explains: I like this big box and I like how Mom and the Dad don’t mind me pawing stuff all over these square things. The paw is a perfect utensil, in my opinion. Scooping, batting, whapping, painting – all the important stuff easily accomplished. I don’t know how my people work with those digets they’ve got, though, I guess they’re good for petting. But not for painting!

“The Paw is a Perfect Brush.” Quint paints. 2012 © Colehaus Cats.

When I paint, *pat, pat, swipe* I see splashes of color, leaves and birds, swirling, dipping, soaring across the space. *paw, paw* I think of quiet time sitting in the window, taking in fresh, breezey whiffs. I’m recreating that mood.

Quint at work. 2012 © Colehaus Cats.

All inspiration flies out the window when Mom uses that flashy box thing and makes her kissy sounds. How’s an artist to work with that going on? No sir, I don’t like it and my Ears of Annoyance ought to let her know it! You’re bothering me, Mom! Go away!

Take that flashy thing away! I’m working! 2012 © Colehaus Cats.

A wee touch here, a last dab there…gots to make sure my prints are clear. What is it you call them? Toe Beans? My Dad calls them buttons. *dab, dab* There, that should do it. And…I’m spent. Treats and naps now?

Dabbing the final touches. Quint painting.
2012 © Colehaus Cats.

Look for my results this Friday. (I KNOW! Who in their right mind wants to wait that long?!?!)

Tired Little Artist. Quint 2012 © Colehaus Cats.