"P-37, as Cub"

At last, a new addition to the collection of "All the P's"... 

"P-37, as Cub"

11x14" pastel on suede mat

framed original @$1250.

in support of "SaveLACougars"

critically needed wildlife crossing 

ready-for-framing 8x10"reprints @$30.

online at #SaveLACougars

CREATING

AN ARTISTIC COLLECTION OF

“ALL THE P’s”

(puma/cougar/mountain lion/ghost cat)

www.KathiColman.com

KColmanStudio@gmail.com

Challenged by Beth Pratt, California Director of National

Wildlife Federation, to “paint all the P’s” in support of the

critically-needed wildlife crossing over #101 at Liberty

Canyon, artist Kathi Colman has been at work portraying

their beautiful faces (young or old, alive or deceased) to

be reproduced & made available to all thru the #SaveLA

Cougars website. Many originals may also be purchased

by those with a generous heart; Kathi has contributed

them outright to make this privately-funded wildlife corridor

dream become a reality!

“I always talk to them as I paint them. They each have

their own personality and story to tell. I am fulfilled when

told, “Oh, those eyes! That face! I can actually feel their

plight!” Their message is simply that we humans must

now undo our thoughtlessness... Our L.A. freeways have

trapped them and denied them their freedom to roam and

live naturally. ...That makes us the predators, right?

*the portraits of the cubs are the sweetest because we had not yet disappointed

them

Very lucky lady.  

She got the "awwwwww" painting.

 

Eric plunked Kat in the car today and told her, "We are going to pick up your birthday present".

Surprised, Kat never realized her husband had been noting her comments, "Ohh, this is my favorite one..", during their four visits to the Fred Kavli Theatre's Jungleland art show over its' five months exhibit. Despite being an animal lover, Kat is highly allergic to them so "P-32, as Kitten" is now her own special fur cub!

In acquiring this original painting by artist Kathi Colman, Eric and Kat Gerber have contributed to the support of the ongoing cultural exhibits at the Fred Kavli Theatre, as well as to #SaveLACougars tireless fundraising efforts toward the critical need for our wildlife crossing.

Therefore, Kat's birthday is a gift to all!  

Happy Birthday, Kat, and much appreciation to your loving husband...

shared by-

Kathi Colman

www.KathiColman.com

or KColmanStudio@gmail.com

facebook.com/KathiColmanStudio

-Fine Arts' recognized oil and pastel portraitist

-Community Cultural Affairs Director and Historical Archivist, Old Agoura CA

-Administrative Editor for Facebook newsletter Old Agoura Homeowners 

-Advisory Council/Ambassador for SaveLACougars

=

Recognition Award from CA State Senate!

An interesting find-

During a recent renovation of four classrooms of Emerson High School in Oklahoma, a startling discovery was made.

Beneath the current boards rested another set of chalkboards - untouched for nearly 100 years. Protected and totally undisturbed, the century-old writings and drawings looked like they were made just yesterday.

Two dates were found on the boards: November 30, 1917, and December 4, 1917.  It is now 2017!

English teacher Cinthea Comer told The Oklahoman, "It was so eerie because the colors were so vibrant it looked like it was drawn today. To know that it was drawn 100 years ago is like you're going into a looking glass into the past."

*Who knew that scribbles on a chalkboard could become more proof of the color retention of simple school chalk colors.

As I have shared with you earlier, artists pastels 

-made from refined pure pigment (NOT chalk dust) 

-have retained their brilliance since the 1400’s!  Pastel paintings are inarguably permanent when protected.

I just wanted to share this interesting example... Enjoy!

JUST FOR YOU

Just in time for Xmas...

"OLIVER"

(a private commission)

11x14" pastel on suede mat

AWESOME AWARD

more of "Painting all the P's"

Addition to our growing collection of Southern California's pumas/cougars/mountain lions-
Meet P-37 as a cub!

"P-37"

11x14" pastel on velour board

matted reprints available ready for framing

$30 online at #SAVELACOUGARS

Great gift idea!  You will be doing your small part toward building our critically needed #101 wildlife corridor/overpass!

Understanding my techniques-

Recently, I found much interest after my presentation of just HOW I paint my Puma portraits.  Of course, to me it is just 'the way I create' & never stop to think others would like to understand how it all comes about.
Let me begin by sharing that I draw, sculpt, and paint in oils as well as pastels.  And what are pastels?

What are pastels?

Pastels are made from the same pigments used for oil paints.  Pastel is not colored chalk, nor does it refer to pale colors.

Pastel comes from the French word pastische, meaning paste. The pure, powdered pigment is ground into a paste with a small amount of binder and then  formed into sticks. These can then be rubbed and blended onto archivally abrasive ground, embedding the infinite range of colors into the “tooth” of the surface to create paintings. 

Because the pigments have a lasting brilliance, pastel is as close as an artist can come to painting with pure color.  There is no cracking or discoloring with age as oil paintings & their varnishes do.

Pastels originated in the 16th century and became really popular in the 18th century. Famous artists (Degas, Delacroix, Millet, Monet, Renoir, Toulouse Lautrec and Whistler) all used pastels and these paintings are still around today and look the same as the day they were painted.  Amazingly, pastel paintings in the Academy of Fine Arts on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy (dating back to 1703), are as vibrant & fresh today as when they were painted.  Despite the heat, humidity, and lack of air conditioning, the pastel paintings are in perfect condition & have never needed restoration.

In 1983, Sotheby Parke Bernet sold at auction two Degas pastel paintings for more than $3,000,000 each.  Both Pastels were painted about 1880.

When properly cared for, pastel is is among the most permanent of all painting media.  Pastel retains its' vibrance over centuries if it is properly framed behind glass and kept out of damp areas & direct sunlight/heat.  Glass protects the painting from smudging and it will safely last as fresh as the day it was painted for many generations.

              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, that is your introduction to understanding pastels!

Now, why do I use them for my animal portraits?  

Because, to portray  the depth of fur realistically, we only need think of the many colors we see when delving into the full thickness of an animals' coat.  I truthfully cannot explain how I know how to capture that depth, -but I do know (did you) that there is always green in blond hair! 

Ask me any further questions at KColmanStudio@gmail.com.  As time allows, I will certainly be happy to share any other details with you to add to your new understanding!  I find that I am still

learning as I go, too.... 

Surprise Recognition!

(Taken at the first annual P-22 Day in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA) 10/22/2016
I needed a break after painting multiple mountain lions (pumas), so I felt my oils in my studio calling to me -and surprised the shy wildlife biologist, Jeff Sikich, with this portrait in honor of his tireless work tracking our local mountain lions.  Check him out online at: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/28/local/la-me-mountain-lions-20121029

Our P-22/Urban Wildlife Week was overflowing with wildlife supporters!  National Wildlife Foundation's CA Director, Beth Pratt, hiked the 47 mile route the awesome mountain lion, P-22, must have taken in order to make Griffith Park his new home.  He is safe there, but it is amazing that he traversed so many developments, residential communities, and crossed two busy freeways to get there from the Santa Monica Mountain range, where he was born.

Jeff Sikich has monitored P-22 in this new location & caught him near death due to the one threat facing him now on a daily basis: ingesting rat poison used by the surrounding homes.  Administering an antidote saved our now-famous P-22!  (I have also portrayed P-22 at that time.  To see his condition is heartbreaking.)  Thank you, Jeff!