A Bobcat

This wonderful creature is alive and well, and is one of two bobcats living in Cat Canyon at the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson.  An artist friend and I spent a day wandering out there a few months ago, sketching and taking photos for finishing up our work back in our studios.

Bobcat. Copyright 2012: M.E. Quinn

I've entered him in the Tucson Pastel Society's winter show at Murphey Gallery in St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. in Tucson.  The Society is also exhibiting member's works in a concurrent Holiday Charity Show in the same gallery, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.  All art in both shows was submitted by members of the Tucson Pastel Society, and I got a sneak peek of a lot of the work when I dropped off mine -- and let me tell you, there is some mighty fine work on display and for sale in both shows.

The Opening Artists Reception is Sunday, Dec. 16th from 12:30 to 3 p.m. -- so stop by if you can and view the art and say "Hi!"  Both exhibits will run through January 10, 2013.

I think bobcats are intriguing, the way they can sit motionless for hours, watching something.  My dog, Jake, encountered a bobcat once -- we lived on 10 acres next to the  Tanque Verde wash and the land harbored an ancient path, a wild animal corridor.  We had everything that inhabits the Sonoran Desert strolling by our front door on any given day!  One morning, Jake spotted a bobcat in the tall grass about 30 feet from the house and he silently loped out to meet the cat.  The bobcat stopped in his tracks and turned his head to gaze over his shoulder at the big black Labrador.  Jake stopped about five feet from that cat and stood perfectly still, their eyes locked in some kind of silent understanding.  They must have stared at each other that way for a good two minutes -- while back at the house, all us humans were holding our collected breath!  Then the bobcat turned away, showing his short stubby tail to Jake's nose, and continued walking through the grass toward the dry wash.  Jake turned around and came back to the house, his tail wagging.  I don't know know what the bobcat told him, but it must have been important.

Poodle. 

Copyright 2012

: M.E. Quinn

I also have a Sassy White Poodle portrait in the show, and a rendering of a Vermillion Flycatcher.  All three works were done in pastels, one of my favorite mediums.

~MQ

First Solo Show

Jake - soft pastels

I opened my first first solo show last week, titled “Animal Instincts” – and it’s an awesome experience!  But I'm feeling kind of lonely 'cause all my critter paintings are not at home with me – they're down at the show!

If you’re in or near Tucson, AZ please drop in and take a look at my animal portraits in pastels – in the Community Room at the Wellness First Center, 3861 N. First Avenue from now through January 30, 2013.  The center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One of the 18 paintings in the show is of my wonderful black lab, Jake – who is no longer with me in person, but his memory is still strong.  The painting I did of him is not for sale, but he’s there to open my exhibit as the official show greeter.  Jake was my true and loyal companion and protector for 14 years, and he went to the office with me every day from the time he was a wee pup until the day he had to leave.  He was simply an awesome dog, and we were very connected – and still are in my minds-eye and consciousness.  So it’s only natural that he be present at this show – which is a milestone symbolizing a change in my career from writer to artist.

Preparing for this show was a huge learning experience in matting and framing!  I had planned to just go out and buy ready-made frames for all the art.  But lo and behold, when that time came I was hard pressed and close to tears when I realized that I’d done my paintings in weird sizes – like 9-5/8” x 13-3/8” or 17-3/4” x 10-11/16” – and the frames you buy at places like Michael’s and Aaron Brothers come in standard sizes, like 16” x 20” and 11” x 14”.  To put those frames on my work would have meant all my mat borders would have been uneven sizes.  I had already bought a great mat cutter on an Ebay auction, and big sheets of mat board at Sarnoff Art & Writing. (A huge thanks to Henry Sarnoff for helping me choose the right color and weight – but all those guys at Sarnoff's are just wonderful and really knowledgeable!)

I couldn’t afford to have all my work custom framed, and I was facing the hanging deadline – so I visited every thrift store in town and bought dozens of old frames.  My wonderful hubby happens to have a miter box – and he volunteered to cut all the frames down to the sizes I needed, paint them all black, re-cut all the glass to fit, and help me cut all the mats.  It took 4 full days to do that!  I promised him a trip to San Francisco for all his devoted hard work in support of my dream.

But it makes sense to me for all my frames to be recycled and refurbished – since I'm an outspoken advocate for conservation, sustainability and green living.   I just might continue to do my frames this way.  But I may need to learn how to use the miter box myself!

If you happen to stop by and look at my "Animal Instincts" show, let me know what you think.  Feedback is always appreciated.

~ MQ