A few months ago,  I started a project -  a pet portrait of the beloved cat Neo.  I was given a photo of Neo playing in the snow.  I quickly started the project, giving myself a close deadline.  As I worked, I thought about the image.  The composition was great, the image playful, but as I worked on the background something didn't seem quite right.  As I thought about it, and as I realized that it was a portrait, more than just an image of a cat playing in the snow, I decided to start again.  A portrait, in my head is something more personal - I wanted to capture more of his expression, more detail in his face. 

I liked the version I had, but put it aside to create something a little more personal.  Once the project was finished though, I couldn't let the original sit unfinished.  So here it is. And now that it's finished, I can't decide which version I like more.  The portrait definitely captured more of his expression, this one is the essence of a tuxedo cat.  Caught in the moment, he possesses a noble quality.

It is hand-sewn as a counted cross-stitch on 22-count needlepoint cloth.  Although I made the pattern for a cross-stitch, it is done as a tent stitch as the weave of the cloth is so small.  Finished, it measures 4.5"x5"

This embroidery painting can be purchased through Etsy.

Neo was my office-mate.  The Godfather of cats, he kept the peace with the others in his family.  Caring and calm, he managed his younger brother and brought a sort of order to the kitty-realm.

This peice was created to honor the memory of Neo.  In the original photograph, he is frolicking in the snow. I cropped the image in close, in order to capture his expression, which is precious. 

It is hand-sewn as a counted cross-stitch on 22-count needlepoint cloth.  Although I made the pattern for a cross-stitch, it is done as a tent stitch as the weave of the cloth is so small.  Finished, it measures 4.5"x4.5"

I've said it before (about 50 times) and I'll say it again: I love Brooklyn.  My adoration grows as I learn more about the borough that is my home.  And I'm not alone in my affection.  Many people have started blogs devoted to life in Brooklyn - covering different areas and different topics they provide unique insight to the people who live here.  I'm not as diligent about reading them as I would like to be, but I check them here and there throughout my week.

Looking through missed posts, I found this little tidbit on Fucked in Park Slope.  Needless to say, I'm overjoyed.  The piece them feature recently sold, so I have to thank them for the shout-out.

Monkey is a force of nature.  It's hard to comprehend how such a tiny little dog can command such presence.  Yet, there she is.  A ball of energy, friendly and excited, it's impossible not to fall in love with her. 

She was also a delight to stitch. 

This needlepoint painting measures 5"x5.5" inches and was hand-sewn on 22 count embroidery cloth.  It seemed the perfect way to immortalize this unique puppy dog.

I may or may not have mentioned this before, but my dog has emotional issues.  We're not sure of the hows and whys of it all, but during the first two months that we had him he destroyed our apartment when left alone.  We tried everything, crates, training and finally medication.  The medication worked.  So well in fact, that after about  a year, we decided he didn't need it anymore.  We were wrong.

I started this needlepoint in March 2009.  It was going to be an anniversary present for my friend.  Because it was a gift, I wanted it to be impressive.  Plus I was playing around with size - it measures 11"x16" from completed edge to edge.  By mid-February 2010, after pausing this project to complete a few smaller ones, it was nearing completion.  I was beginning to feel good about it. We went out to dinner, celebrating a friend's birthday.  While we out Ollie added his own artistic interpretation.

At first I was completely stunned, my husband was livid.  I had thoughts of salvage and repair, but decided to put it away for a while.  Perhaps some time off would give me new perspective.  Coming back to it now, I see elements that I like, but as a whole I don't think it represents my best work.  It's darker than it should be and I'm not crazy about the skin tones.  So perhaps Ollie prevented me from completing sub-par work.  Or perhaps I'm just justifying his actions.  Either way, what's done is done.  If I decide to try this image again, I know what I would do differently.  

And Ollie is back on his meds, and hasn't had an incident since. 

Luckily, I scanned my work while in progress, you can see the destroyed segment here.