The Book Is Done

...and it is superb!  Beautiful size, thick glossy pages, stitched binding...  Just top quality all the way through!  No longer categorized as a childrens' book, it is now elevated to coffee table art book status.

"P22, The Journey"

My first experience with illustration.

Completed in just six months, it incorporates many of my prior puma portraits inserted into scenic settings derived from actual National Park Service photos.

THAT took me on a steep learning curve!  However, I am now familiar with digital drawing -and enjoying the ease of it.

EXCITING NEW BOOK

The journey of one very special mountain lion began with him putting one paw forward......Our collaborative journey began with our collective passion being put forward......

Remember when I told you I interrupted "painting all the P's " because this story just called out to me to illustrate?

Well, it is done -and it is beautiful!

Follow us online at Ghost Cat Publications

A re-visit...

IN MEMORY OF AN OUTSTANDING SEARCH & RESCUE DOG-

"HUNTER"

16x20" pastel on board 

given to his handler, in gratitude & admiration

At long last....

HOORAY!

After more than five intensive months, I have now become an illustrator!  Thinking I would contribute maybe six or eight paintings for a children's book, I gladly accepted the challenge.  Umm, it turned out to be more like 28...

Paring it down to 18 or so, I agreed and began.  It soon turned out that creating a scene at my easel, then photographing it, then tweaking things, then photographing again ...was NOT the way to go!

As good friends do, I was taken in hand by a longtime friend who had really 'evolved' technologically.  She insisted I learn digital drawing.  Despite my complaining, she dragged me along into a new world of producing artwork.  What a steep learning curve!  As challenging as I found all the technicalities, I eventually learned to love it.

And now, after frying my creative brain, I am proud of what I have done.  The story of the awesome journey of P22, the Hollywood mountain lion who successfully crossed two of Los Angeles' busiest freeways in order to find his new territory, needed to be told to our children.  He was a brave youngster and somehow kept going until he found his new safe & forever home.

I will share my artwork with you once we have gone to press.  I just wanted to say hello and catch you up that I am still here, and even more passionate about supporting the critically-needed wildlife overpass at Liberty Canyon in order to give our wildlife the freedom to roam which our busy freeways cut off.  Our selfishness...  Time to make amends; overdue.

Portrait of a Wildlife Biologist and Tracker

I recently presented my portrait of Jeff Sikich to him saying, "Little do these cubs know that once you find them and tag them, your research captures the personal commitment of us all."

Thank you for your dedicated work, Jeff!

Dr. Jeff Sikich of the Santa Monica Mountains & Cub

(he may remember which one this lucky little guy was; I do not)

P-52 & P-50 as Cubs

       ..and here is my newest addition to National Wildlife Federation's 

challenge to me to "paint all the P's"...   

             "P-52 & P-50 as Cubs"       

Painting these two babies (two of a litter of three) 
was a joy.  Who couldn't love those faces?

Matted reproductions, ready to be framed

 @$30. 

online #SaveLACougars.com

all art profits go toward the realization of 
California's first wildlife overpass

"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!