Monday, June 15, 2009

Pokey Portrait

Okay, maybe I have crossed the line into crazy cat lady. Last month I commissioned a portrait of Pokey. The painting was done by Alina Kremer of Michi Designs. It was really fun to work with Alina. She captured Pokey's face so incredibly well.

This photo was the starting point, but I also sent Alina lots of photos of the Margarita Quilt which she then interpreted in the portrait. And I wanted better eyebrow whiskers than Pokey had in the photo - too many of them there were broken off.

Unfortunately Pokey has to go to a specialist today. Her bloodwork numbers got a bit worse, rather than stabilizing with the fluid treatment. She's been locked away from the food since last night - she's not a happy camper. Neither are the adults. So roadtrip today, fingers crossed for good news.

49 comments:

sewprimitive karen said...

The portrait is wonderful, really captures Pokey. Good Luck at the specialist, Pokey, please get better.

jovaliquilts said...

It's never crazy to love a living thing. I hope Pokey's visit today is a good one.
And what a great portrait, and the photo with Pokey in front of it is a great way to show how good it is.

Julie said...

Oh, what a wonderful painting! It's Pokey and Tonya all over. (I especially love the photo of Pokey in front of it — kind of an infinite recursion.)

I hope the doctor visit goes well.

Beena said...

The portrait is amazing. And it so DOES NOT make you a crazy cat lady for having it done. Cats are people, too, after all (giggle).

Will definitely say a prayer for Pokey today. Sorry things are this way at the moment...but will definitely hope for things to get better after seeing the specialist. Hang in there!

dutchcomfort said...

No crazy cat lady! Such a wonderful painting!

I hope Pokey will be OK!

Unknown said...

That painting is WONDERFUL! I would love one made of my sweet Jo-Jo who passed away a year ago. You are going to treasure that painting for a long, long time.

Take the day slow today and give Pokey some ear scritches for me! Poor little kitty.

Kim said...

Oh Tonya, good luck with your medical day...its so stressful! And there is nothing wrong with loving your cats and becoming a "crazy cat lady" its only because you love them so much...there is no shame in that!

The painting is terrific and you'll have it forever.

Happy Sewing

Sherry said...

What a lovely painting you will have it for the rest of your life.Lots of luck at the doc. today

laura said...

She is the Mona Lisa of cats!
So beautiful!
Will be praying and thinking of you and Pokey today.

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Kim said it just the way I was going to say it!!! A lot of beaning donn't love the animals enough!! It is wonderful that you love Pokey so much. Wonderful painting too!!!! Good luck!!

Allie said...

That portrait is wonderful - she has perfectly captured Pokey. I hope things go well today and that Pokey will be ok. She is so precious!

Kristin Shields said...

I don't think it's crazy at all. What a wonderful tribute to your little Pokey. She looks beautiful and the Margarita quilt jazzes it up perfectly! Hope all goes well today.

Ida from Central PA said...

Wonderful portrait!

I hope things go well for Pokey

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Wow she's done an amazing job! It looks just like her.

Sorry to hear Pokey is still struggling. I hope she gets better soon.

Cathi said...

What a fabulous portrait!
I hope that the appointment goes well and Pokey gets better soon!

MelissaS said...

Love the portrait!

We have our fingers, toes, and paws crossed here!

Robin C said...

what marvelous painting of Pokey. Something you will treasure forever. Best of luck on Pokey's appointment today. Not a crazy cat person, they are all so sweet who could help but fall in love

Robin in Virginia

Kristin L said...

Nope, not crazy, just a devoted kitty mom. How clever of you to commission a wonderful portrait. I made a fiber portrait of my In Laws' dog after she died and they absolutely treasure it. Good news or bad, you'll always have that beautiful painting, and memories. :-)

Dianne said...

Holding a good thought for Pokey's visit today. And the portrait is simply wonderful!

Janet said...

I know I'm not into cats (or dogs) but I do think this portrait is special, especially the quilt under her.

Magpie Sue said...

Of all cats, Pokey's unique beauty truly deserves to be preserved in paint! Brilliant idea to have the portrait done. I'll add my prayers to everyone else's for her health and well being.

Anonymous said...

The portrait is fantastic.
My prayers are with you and your lovely furry family today and always. God bless you and help the doctors find a way to help Pokey.

Nat Palaskas said...

A great portrait of Pokey. Was that done by hand or digital portrait? Looks so real. Hope all goes well with Pokey today, the poor thing :(

Nancy said...

I love the portrait of Pokey, waht a super likeness and with a quilt too, how perfect if that?!
Hope the Dr. visit goes well for your little darling.

Nadine said...

What a lovely idea, and an even lovelier portrait! I'll admit to being a crazy cat lady if you will, because I'd do the same thing. I hope the visit with the specialist goes well! Keeping you and Pokey in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Lovely portrait! Painting cats appealingly is very difficult, but the artist has succeeded. The picture is so special that even I would like to own it - and I don't even know Pokey personallyl.

I wish Pokey and her family the best of success with treatments.

- Tiina

Clare said...

Pokey to a tee. She's captured her beautifully.

Hope everything went ok.

Unknown said...

Wow what an amazing painting and a beautiful Pokey , can you tell I love cats .

dee said...

She really is the most beautiful cat ever. I'm keeping a good thought for your sweet little girl.
Really gorgeous painting and using the quilt as part of it is wonderful.

Dionne said...

What a beautiful portrait! Ms. Kremer did a FABULOUS job capturing Pokey's sweet face!

Dena said...

She did a beautiful portrait of Pokey. It is so lifelike and it took me awhile to realize it was a portrait. I hope Pokey is feeling better.

julieQ said...

Wonderful portrait, love it , and no, you are not nutty for loving that baby. Hope she continues the good fight and gets all well soon.

Deborah said...

My son and his age 20-something friends are always around and they know I have a blog list. One of them asked if now that school is out, will I have a blog for the cat. My reply was that I hadn't quite made the jump over to crazy cat lady yet. They just looked at me. Apparently I have made the leap, I was just in denial. I sent an e-mail to get a quote on a portrait of Rusty. Can't wait! Still keeping Pokey in my prayers.
Deborah

tami said...

That is a beautiful portrait of Pokey. I don't think you have crossed any lines. :D

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I know how much you love your kitties. I hope miss pokey bounces back soon. give her a little scratch from me.

Sharon said...

Wow, what a fantastic picture of Pokey - it looks just like her! And I love the photo of her in front of her portrait!
I hope the Dr. visit went well, and that there was good news. My thoughts are with you and my fingers are crossed! Shade and Dunkel sent head butts and purrs to Pokey and you!

SewCalGal said...

What a wonderful painting of your four legged child. Why would anyone think you are crazy, when you do what a purrfect parent does.....take photos and get portraits painted.

I love it!

Now I just hope you get more photos taken of your beautiful four legged child with your quilts!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Rosalyn Manesse said...

What a remarkable portrait. I love animal paintings. Get well soon, kitty.

Chris Daly said...

What an amazing portrait of Pokey. I hope you find the care Pokey needs

jude said...

fabulous. hope everything turns out ok. poor kitty.

Finn said...

The portrait is beautiful, and I think having it painted was inspired on your part. Hope the exam went well and the numbers get better. Kitty prayers. Hugs, Finn

Beth said...

what a wonderful portrait! I think Pokey is one of the prettiest cats I have ever seen...I hope everything goes well today at the vets

Tanya said...

What a great picture! And I love the way the Margerita quilt was added!!

jmb_craftypickle said...

Like the painting...thinking of you guys!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful portrait--a real treasure. Hope all is OK with Pokey...

Callie Brady said...

The portrait certainly captured Pokey's likeness. She looks so sweet and happy on your Margarita Quilt. Hope all is well.

Cher said...

you know all fingers/toes are crossed for good news...and what a fabulous idea to get her portrait done...she is one special kitty and it turned out so..so...well, fabulous.

YankeeQuilter said...

Love the portrait! Hope all is well with the specialist visit.

We had some friends with children take care of Brownie, Goldie and Mac while we were in California...the kids played for hours with the cats. Brownie is waiting by the door for here playmates to come and give her tummy rubs...they may have created a monster!

jacquie said...

the portrait is amazing. i sure wish i had done something like this of fudge.