Feral Kitties of Kaua'i

"Makana and Buddie" © Schar 2009

Feral cats are the 'wild' offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. They are elusive and generally do not trust humans.

On Kaua'i there are thousands of feral cats. They congregate in various bushes and under trees around beach parks, hidden from most people who drive, walk or ride by.

There are many people who bring food and water to many of the colonies around this island. I tend to a colony of about 20-30 cats around the Salt Pond Park. I have been bringing food, water and love for many years. There are about four of us who care for this colony, taking shifts and making sure that these cats are fed, loved, given medical attention when necessary and neutered if needed.

This painting "Makana and Buddie" is one of my most recent watercolors that I dedicate to two of my most favorite kittie buddies. Makana is the golden one and he was around for about five years. He could not be captured to be neutered as he was so fearful of humans. Every now and then he would trust me enough to come in for a petting or a rub. He would get injured and go off to heal. Many times I would not see him for 3-4 weeks at a time and just about the time I thought he had finally gone off to die, Makana would show up, very skinny and hungry.

Makana has been gone now for over two months and this time it would be a miracle if he were to show up again. Makana in Hawaiian means the gift. Indeed he was a gift for me as I learned much about faith and hope because of him.

Buddie is one of the oldest fellas in this colony. He is very friendly and always there at feeding time but seems more interested in getting love from my strokes to his fur and my cooing voice of assurance.

I will be offering small 5" x 7" prints of this painting with all proceeds to go into a fund for these kitties food and care. If interested please leave your contact info in a comment and I will send along an announcement when the prints will be available at my Etsy shop.

Gone TO The Beach!!!

"Two Birds One Palm" © schar 2009

Hard to imagine that life can get so busy and an amazing amount of time rushes by. I apologize to all my followers for not blogging for over a month.

I have been completing and beginning many paintings. These are two of my latest ACEO watercolor favorites to share. I have just listed the originals at my Etsy Store.

"Two Bird Island"

You can also consider them in a larger format giclee at my FineArtAmerica Gallery

Finding inspiration by going to the beach almost everyday is a blessing indeed!

FEATURED ARTIST ~ Marionette

Kauai artist, Marionette, fell in love with this Garden Island in 1992 and has been painting “Hawaiian Style” ever since. Her works include the techniques of acrylic, silk painting, and watercolor.

Her paintings can be found in public and private collections throughout the world. If you are looking for that special something to bring back fond memories (or future dreams)of your trip to Hawaii, you've come to the right place!

Recently, Marionette opened her own studio in Waimea, Kauai named "Painting Paradise". She teaches a variety of classes in her studio Wednesday through Saturday where you can also find original paintings, prints, and gifts. Marionette loves to work on commission paintings, murals, and portraits!

She is also a graphic designer and has created numerous commercial designs for some of Kauai’s businesses such as Kauai Coffee. She recently painted the cover of "Last Clear Chance" by Bob Tripp, author and test pilot. Her reproductions can be found at The Kauai Coffee Gift Shop in Eleele, Kauai, Island Soap and Candle Works in Koloa, Kauai, The Kokee Museum Gift Shop in Kokee, Kauai, Gallery West in Waimea,Kauai, and Taro Fields (carrying her line of original silk scarves) in Poipu, Kauai.

She is a member of Etsy's Design Style Guide Team and Visual Arts Street Team (VAST) http://vastgallery.blogspot.com/ Please visit her blog at:http://www.kauai-artist.blogspot.com/ (yes, there is a "dash" between kauai and artist)! And her websites at Etsy and Painting Paradise

Marionette and I both live on Kauai. We met through Etsy and have become fast friends working together on community projects, workshops and art classes. She is a beautiful being, filled with aloha and a newlywed!!!

Mahalo nui loa for your wonderful visions and your incredible paintings of our beautiful pua (flowers) and honoring much of our aina (land) with your brush and paints my dear friend!! You are a blessing!!

Marrionette is having her first Blog Give-away! Be sure to visit her blog and enter to win not one but TWO of her beautiful and delicate ACEO's.