Grand Cats
What are They?
| Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic's "Grand Cats" are paper-mache statues, beautifully decorated by local artists. Each year, a select group of talented amateur and professional artists are invited to unleash their creativity and transform the blank figurines into works of art. These one-of-a-kind Grand Cats are then sold during the silent auction at our annual winter fundraiser, Whiskers 'n Wags Jubilee (formerly Chat Amour), raising money to help care for our shelter cats and to operate our low-cost spay/neuter clinic for community dogs and cats.
Several Grand Cats were displayed in Fort Collins and Loveland art galleries in 2011, and we hope to expand our gallery showings for 2012. Auction of the Grand Cats raised over $2,500 at the 2011 gala! To see Grand Cats from years past, just follow the links below. To purchase tickets to Whiskers 'n Wags online, Click Here
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Our 2012 Grand Cats
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"Jake" - Pam Wolf Jake is the well-loved shelter cat for FCCRSNC. He is known for his calm and sweet nature and has lots of fans. He became a registered therapy cat through Larimer Animal-People Partnership and the Delta Society. Every month he visits rehab centers, nursing homes, libraries, bookstores, CSU students and more. He is a celebrity since he appeared on Animal Planet's "Cats 101." He started out a stray and ended up a star. The artist, Pam Wolf, said, "I have expressed my passion for animals and the arts in many ways all my life. I have four cats, all rescued, and I volunteer for FCCRSNC. Jake is a special project for me, as I wrote the original blog that caught Animal Planet's attention. I am now working on a children's picture book about Jake. I have my sister Pat Helm to thank for helping me get started on this project. I also wanted to thank Lynn Geis of Montrose for making and donating Jake's cape/vest." |
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"Saint Kitty of Assisi" by Leonard Mahoney St. Kitty is the patron cat of animals and the environment. In tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, this faithful and mystical tabby spends his days in the garden watching and communing with all God's creatures. Simply adorned in earthly colors, he eats and prowls in humble grace, gratitude and peacefulness. Creatures who normally fear cats devotionally seek out his company. When meditating at your window or on your shelf, he will gaze upon you kindly and remind you to see a kindred spirit living in all things about us. Leonard is a research engineer with art as his long time spiritual passion. With three adopted FCCR cats at his disposal, he has no shortage of subject matter upon which to draw. Click to email Leonard Mahoney |
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"Blossom" by Judy Jackson "Blossom" is the second in a series of floral cats. Judy: "Last year I created 'Flora' who went to a wonderful home. I had so much fun with her I decided to create another Grand Cat with the flower theme and quotes" (side-painted). Judy Jackson is the owner of Historic Flowers House (Weddings and Special Events), Fort Collins/Bellvue, Colorado. www.historicflowershouse.com |
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"Catadoptera" by Carole Hossan Carole: "Cats and butterflies interest me immensely. I was researching butterflies and noticed they are classified into the order of Lepidoptera. It was a small leap to coin my own term for an imaginary order combining cats and butterflies; namely: Catadoptera. Thus I named my Grand Cat 'Catadoptera'. Her name means 'I'm adorable! Please Adopt and Share Your Home With Me!' On Catadoptera's pedestal, I have illustrated two species of the order of Catadoptera: the Meowing Cloak (it mimics the Mourning Cloak butterfly) and the Tabby Swallowtail, which mimics the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. Eclectic describes my art which includes murals on transformer cabinets and a piano, mixed media art and calligraphy. I share my home with cats who found me." |
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"Indoorus Jungleus KittyCatus" by Debbie Delong" by Debbie Delong This rare feline is as cunning as she is elusive. Camouflaged within her own green jungle bedding and natural aviary, she will occasionally come out of hiding to show her curiosity, playfulness and affection. This 'pudgy' breed is also known for picking up and petting, that is if you can coax her into being caught first. Independent and easy to care for, she'll be a great addition to your own zoological collection or display in your home. Debbie is a long-time supporter of FCCRSNC and past organizer/contributor to the Grand Cats. |
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"Nikko-Neko" by Ren Burke "Nikko" = Leader of the Winged Monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. "Neko" = Japanese for 'cat' Ren: "Even though the Winged Monkeys frightened me as a child, creating this Grand Cat was a catharsis for me! With animals as my subject matter, I tend to depict them in a whimsical manner through paintings, drawings and prints." www.birdinhandstudio.com |
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The Accidental Tin Man (Cat) by Two Sisters Mosaics - Jane Sullivan and Jean McBride The Accidental Tin Man is a contemporary mosaic of black and silver glass tesserae mounted on black granite. Each piece of glass is hand-cut, and then the whole is secured with black grout. We embellished the tail and whiskers with assorted beads. We used a metal funnel for the hat. To conceptualize the project, we imagined what might happen if a curious black kitten chased his toy mice into a pile of empty tin cans. The Accidental Tin Man was born! Two Sisters Mosaics is the collaborative effort between sisters Jean McBride and Jane Sullivan. We work primarily in glass with a contemporary, often whimsical flare www.twosistersmosaics.com |
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"Norwegian Party Animal (Cat)" by Diane Edwards Diane: "Our cat is dress in her Norwegian finery on the way to a great art party. She would love to go home with you and continue to celebrate!" Diane Edwards has been painting and teaching art all of her life. She especially loves Norwegian Rosemailing as it is her heritage. She has 2 spoiled studio cats who love to watch her and her students paint. www.DianeEdwardsArt.com |
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"Depas" by Barbara Haynie Only in OZ: a feline (orange tabby/calico?) version of Degas' elegant ballerinas. Medium: Acrylic Barbara: "I have a BFA in Fine Art from CSU. I paint western landscapes and I make junk metal sculptures. I have three cats." www.barbarahaynie.com |
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"Nikko" by Leigh Kuehn Nikko the Flying Monkitty. If you recall, Nikko was the loyal and devoted captain of the Army of Flying Monkitties. Now that he is no longer in the employ of the Wicked Witch, our Nikko needs a JOB! Why don't you hire him to entertain guests at your Halloween Party? Or act as the bouncer at your New Year's Eve gala? How about hiring him full-time to guard your castle? He will quietly defend you and yours with only a hint of menace. Leigh Kuehn is a fine art and portrait photographer who strives to bring in a personal touch to her artwork. She owns Fotografika Ltd. based in Livermore, CO. |
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"Miss Lucy Skye (wearing her diamonds) Stalks the Wild Side" - Suzanne Frazier Miss Lucy Skye (wearing her diamonds), is dressed in her haute couture electrical tape leopard skin jumpsuit to camouflage her walk through the wild side of life. Of course Miss Lucy Skye is overdressed for the occasion with her coordinated outfit of matching vest, boots, headdress and mask. Her eyes glitter with delight as she models her latest ensemble and shares her delight for adventure. Suzanne Frasier is a contemplative artist teaching art classes at her studio in Longmont. She facilitates contemplative spiritual journey retreats at Highlands Retreat Center and Ghost Ranch. www.suzannefrazier.com |
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"Both Sides of the Story" - Beth-Holly Garretson This Grand Cat captures the "Whiskers of Oz" theme with both sides of the iconic Wizard of Oz story. The backside depicts Auntie Em's farmhouse with the ominously threatening twister. Over the Rainbow on the front, we have the Yellow-brick Road leading to the Emerald City through a field of poppies and the Wizard's portraiture in the Grand Cat. The blue-feather comes from the song: "Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can't I? If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow Why, oh why can't I?" Beth-Holly: "This cat is a combination of collage-acrylic with colored pencil, textile and real flower petals. This year I am concentrating on painting & offering workshops & private lessons to those who 'think they aren't creative' - and those people who want to learn more about various median and the hands-on shortcuts I learned as an instructor in New Jersey." bethhollydesigns@aol.com |
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Platinum Kitty - Amelia Caruso About Amelia's iconic art work which has also adorned many public spaces in Fort Collins over the last six years: "I want the viewer to sense the beautiful grace and visual chemistry in the fluidity and color relationships of my work. I want the viewer to be engaged in the depth of the 2 dimensional surface, to be drawn into the flow. To move through the painting, looking at the dot patterns from a new perspective. Actually seeing and feeling the energy and the vibration of the form and colors. The dots are hand painted with only a paintbrush. No other tools are used." We are delighted that Amelia continues to adorn our Grand Cats with her artistry. www.ameliacaruso.com |
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"The Emerald Kitty" - Barb Lloyd A tribute to this year's Whiskers of Oz theme, we bring you the Emerald Kitty - Swarovski crystals were hot fixed to the fabric-covered, structurally enhanced form. Barb Lloyd is a gifted local artist and a frequent contributor to the Grand Cats over the years and has given us yet another amazingly creative and skillful combination of sculpture, painting, and textile art in her Grand Cat. Lloyd has a degree in graphic design from the University of Indiana and interior design from Colorado State University. Dzinbabe59@aol.com |
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"Charlie is My Darling" - Mardi Heaberlin Mardi: "Charlie, my cat, has aged. He has had his battles, experienced pain and loss, injuries and has lived life to its fullest. But he shows no wrinkles or scars, sagging or bagging, no fatigue or pain. His beautiful fur covers all and makes him ageless. My Grand Cat is what Charlie would look like if his body showed his age, experience and wisdom." Charlie is built up with paper mache clay, painted with acrylic and rests on a leather oil-painted base. |
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