tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83600887382014104952024-03-05T03:13:27.447-07:00The Cosmos Cat ProjectCosmos Cat was painted with Golden brand acrylic paints. Golden heavy molding paste was used to build texture. The final varnish coat was Krylon Gallery Series UV Archival in Satin. The clear plastic bubble came from 1000bulbs.com (excellent service and product!). Finally, during this project I discovered some wonderful synthetic brushes, Escoda Versatil Sintetico.Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-70379074490968320982015-10-14T15:20:00.000-06:002015-10-14T15:20:23.100-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Live Auction and Gala Dinner Event are now over, and the Cat Care Society raised over $100,000 with this fundraiser! A great summary can be read <a href="http://denverpr.blogspot.com/2015/10/purr-fectly-unprecedented-for-cat-care.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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My oil painting Tiger Lily Nouveau sold in the silent auction for $280. Cosmos Cat sold at the Buy It Now (BIN) price of $3,000.<br />
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Thank-you to everyone who placed bids, bought dinner tickets, made donations, and supported the Cat Care Society through their TOPC fundraiser!</div>
Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-11300067275778877952015-05-18T03:35:00.000-06:002015-06-03T10:01:16.044-06:00Cosmos Cat Publicity Photo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Cat Care Society took publicity photos of all of the completed cats, and here is Cosmos Cat with his bubble helmet!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos Cat</td></tr>
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A BIG Thank You to Carol Blair who sponsored Cosmos Cat. Thanks also go to the Cat Care Society for this incredible publicity photo!<br />
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Finally, a Giant Cosmic Thank-You to the Ever Amazing Jane Dorsey for her solid advice, support, and patience during the Cosmos transformation!</div>
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ALL OF THE 2015 CATS can be viewed in the online gallery at this link to their Facebook album:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.896237457081789.1073741863.269220393116835&type=1" target="_blank">2015 Tails of the Painted Cats Photo Album</a></div>
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Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-88583759146396457552015-04-26T09:01:00.000-06:002015-04-26T17:41:38.820-06:00The Reveal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cosmos Cat has been delivered to the Cat Care Society. He will make his first public appearance at the Lakewood Arts Council, located at 6731 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, CO in June. Cosmos Cat and the other Painted Cats will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Cat Care Society, with the grand finale at the 2015 Tails of the Painted Cats Gala Dinner and Silent Auction on October 10th at Pinehurst Country Club<br />
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These pictures of the completed Cosmos Cat were taken before the bubble helmet was attached. I'll be posting pictures of Cosmos with his bubble attached in the next update of this blog.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos Cat - Face Detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos Cat - Front View</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos Cat - Side View</td></tr>
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Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-50852303082134235962015-03-02T10:36:00.001-07:002015-03-02T10:36:25.272-07:00Building Layers, Supporting the Bubble, and Making Texture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Once the first few layers had hardened, it became a faster process of building up the collar for Cosmos Cat. With the basic form in place, I added some "L" brackets to support the bubble.<br />
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I want to be able to remove the bubble easily, just in case something happens in the future when Cosmos Cat might need to be repaired or modified. <br />
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I continued to build up around the brackets with Hard Molding Paste and created a "fur" ruff to cover the metal brackets and screws.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblj5BaTaRQYqDBodJ3JaAj0ZRbS7G4uNXOFbCBZafSdtWp70cpYn1ypRso0THIxa5G_iO2ZlrHoUYP38WKkJBOGHXReUY8HIo07y-MlTdXBlmZNMIT9GBcvYYvGSHRKpDXhAvslLXPYc/s1600/fittingbubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblj5BaTaRQYqDBodJ3JaAj0ZRbS7G4uNXOFbCBZafSdtWp70cpYn1ypRso0THIxa5G_iO2ZlrHoUYP38WKkJBOGHXReUY8HIo07y-MlTdXBlmZNMIT9GBcvYYvGSHRKpDXhAvslLXPYc/s1600/fittingbubble.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking for fit of bubble onto collar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdHARiQumQHZidLBbLuIkdEvL-SREW5QrDYH9QRkxsxFAjtJxCEn3ls98dFCAzDUnmvS6JNxTRe08Dc6h4DxxYs96n7NltlSkEBQf1oQqbKyUOmidIR9g0lVgkYVvTRfDR9K9LLsIMP4/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdHARiQumQHZidLBbLuIkdEvL-SREW5QrDYH9QRkxsxFAjtJxCEn3ls98dFCAzDUnmvS6JNxTRe08Dc6h4DxxYs96n7NltlSkEBQf1oQqbKyUOmidIR9g0lVgkYVvTRfDR9K9LLsIMP4/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" height="400" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking for fit of bubble onto collar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeKdgGKtV7rXboDLEbarIyrPuhi7xPfsVf1dBz4nU9g0sob7zHvl2CJydG6jLRHNTK83ARzk6-dXSCXWPnvqJUutYYKD1pOGF7C3F166y7YtUofKE9oPAZ0F3xgI5P2U6ZCD80Ik_iu8/s1600/CosmosCatDesign002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeKdgGKtV7rXboDLEbarIyrPuhi7xPfsVf1dBz4nU9g0sob7zHvl2CJydG6jLRHNTK83ARzk6-dXSCXWPnvqJUutYYKD1pOGF7C3F166y7YtUofKE9oPAZ0F3xgI5P2U6ZCD80Ik_iu8/s1600/CosmosCatDesign002.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Concept Sketch with Bubble</td></tr>
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The fit is getting there. I still need to build it up in a few spots.<br />
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As you can see, I went a little crazy with the hard molding past on Cosmos Cat's head. There's still a little modeling of his chin remaining, and I'm debating on how much texture to add to the rest of his body. With his striped pattern, a lot of texture may be too much!</div>
Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-29533882448052352542015-03-02T10:10:00.000-07:002015-03-02T12:50:47.312-07:00Meet and Greet/Discovering Hard Molding Paste and Building Support<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Cat Care Society held a "Meet and Greet" at the "Cat House" for the artists and sponsors of the Painted Cats. Attendees sipped champagne and munched on yummy desserts while visiting with each other and enjoying the antics of the resident cat population. <br />
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A slide show and portfolio showed the previous four years of the Painted Cats. This year's designs were displayed in a separate portfolio, onto which one young feline parked herself, as if to say,"Hey! It's all about me, you know!"<br />
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Meanwhile, I have been playing around with Hard Molding Paste manufactured by Golden. It has become my new favorite art material, and I can see endless possibilities for its use.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Hard Molding Paste</td></tr>
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I am using the Hard Molding Paste to build up Cosmos Cat's collar, which will eventually support the clear acrylic globe (or "bubble") that will cover his head. The Hard Molding Paste has some interesting properties, and it will take several layers to build it up to the size needed.<br />
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I created an armature around the cat's neck to provide support for the Hard Molding Paste. I began by drilling six holes spaced evenly apart around the entire neck, making them large enough to insert plastic anchors for screws. <br />
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Next, Bondo epoxy was applied into the screw anchors, and a screw was driven into each anchor until about 1/2 inch of the screw stuck out above the cat surface. Finally, I attached a thin, flexible wire (rebar tying wire) to each screw head, creating a wire ring around the cat's neck.<br />
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The first three layers of Hard Molding Paste were applied in the next photo. It takes about a day to harden before the next layer can be applied. It will take a number of layers to build up the collar enough to support the bubble.<br />
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The Hard Molding Paste also will be used to build up "fur" on some areas of Cosmos Cat. <br />
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Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-50614207730238927392015-01-28T07:15:00.000-07:002015-01-28T07:15:02.176-07:00Helping Cats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I spent a couple of hours at The Cat Care Society, meeting all of the residents and grabbing a few photographs of them. Once thing that struck me was the flow of volunteers who keep the facility clean and who care for and play with the resident kitties. Running any animal shelter is a challenge, but the Cat Care Society uses a large group of volunteers to keep everything going smoothly.<br />
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Here are three of the furry friends I found. They would love a forever home!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q8TRZjV_KAwQc4HLVy6dw9sV01VLnJPRHOU9At-AAdOSE-Ai7EuWgSah_2JQyZHO_n7F87lKoAudNcsadiE5HzoqfkbOm9LF41Axil71wS-ROXbck8tVZVDw0wmtSUva0LKj_4qCeOM/s1600/cropP1010483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q8TRZjV_KAwQc4HLVy6dw9sV01VLnJPRHOU9At-AAdOSE-Ai7EuWgSah_2JQyZHO_n7F87lKoAudNcsadiE5HzoqfkbOm9LF41Axil71wS-ROXbck8tVZVDw0wmtSUva0LKj_4qCeOM/s1600/cropP1010483.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful and regal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuyxWjUeb1bJsop6rCCqFhK0l6DO65q_IOMluxxlT8ro8fYfonMArOwXHq452gYfZWIBN2orpPPuim97AXkGFoH15YpQN5Lyf81cergpBS3cHFFaZHhg6IhtDcKDQWELJOqgVziWC4i4/s1600/cropP1010484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuyxWjUeb1bJsop6rCCqFhK0l6DO65q_IOMluxxlT8ro8fYfonMArOwXHq452gYfZWIBN2orpPPuim97AXkGFoH15YpQN5Lyf81cergpBS3cHFFaZHhg6IhtDcKDQWELJOqgVziWC4i4/s1600/cropP1010484.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petite and very friendly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAvxm-7b4kKftMERFwMn8qX4zR8KNIW1iZ7o-XBZ-JWuKnn84_6YSM6mU_y4vrcJgG9x1w2rwD8mQzc7FCitIlfv_BGA2bGsQZZxACvlssdBsGFGNlL0zGFpZYufjhsxPfi5Q4Ma4HJA/s1600/cropP1010507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAvxm-7b4kKftMERFwMn8qX4zR8KNIW1iZ7o-XBZ-JWuKnn84_6YSM6mU_y4vrcJgG9x1w2rwD8mQzc7FCitIlfv_BGA2bGsQZZxACvlssdBsGFGNlL0zGFpZYufjhsxPfi5Q4Ma4HJA/s1600/cropP1010507.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murtaugh - Friendly Tabby</td></tr>
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<br />I am using Murtaugh's tabby pattern as a resource for Cosmos Cat.<div>
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Visit the <a href="http://www.catcaresociety.org/adoptions/cats-for-adoption" target="_blank">Cat Care Society's website</a> for more furry friends and to find out more about this fabulous non-profit organization!<br /><br /></div>
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Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-34293489129982289692015-01-23T12:13:00.000-07:002015-04-26T17:40:48.575-06:00Preparation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The fiberglass cat statue arrived with a gessoed surface, but there are a number of rough patches that need to be sanded smooth. After that is accomplished, a fresh coat of gesso will be sprayed over the entire cat surface.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDutgq1atIfygarX48thwxVDYuQgzvw9LnWOb2VF7MlAMqiccAZkZvZH5lwj4gFMtYzt3cQ7jSg5-yK_cXDowrMR6zCxWHy2CctnPEAfA58Ekfx6E5S9-jr4ARosHBkvuh836wwVY8KDI/s1600/P1010527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDutgq1atIfygarX48thwxVDYuQgzvw9LnWOb2VF7MlAMqiccAZkZvZH5lwj4gFMtYzt3cQ7jSg5-yK_cXDowrMR6zCxWHy2CctnPEAfA58Ekfx6E5S9-jr4ARosHBkvuh836wwVY8KDI/s1600/P1010527.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked Cat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nDHq9s0wwz99OKS3Hn2nBcE6isFXmGxOyf1sg631xsjgzkm5IaUc-c8VNdlgVzES-szCepZF0LcFIF-1HFqTrzz3s2NIwOfjLMk8RgU5GFLaD1zvzCL6snnnYa9D-ErRtyInsDDZcBM/s1600/P1010542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nDHq9s0wwz99OKS3Hn2nBcE6isFXmGxOyf1sg631xsjgzkm5IaUc-c8VNdlgVzES-szCepZF0LcFIF-1HFqTrzz3s2NIwOfjLMk8RgU5GFLaD1zvzCL6snnnYa9D-ErRtyInsDDZcBM/s1600/P1010542.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofy Face - Note the rough areas in the crevices. These will be sanded out.</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, I'm working out the details of how to attach the space bubble over his head. Tricky stuff that requires lots of READING about materials compatibility, chemistry, and MATH.<br />
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Cosmos Cat will have his head enclosed in a clear plastic globe, similar to the concept sketch below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3z0LLCS5doaBW6JJrkbevbix8dNP7s7CUbLcOqoeyg7MBTrdWB-9RLgbEGoTU99lBEQjRHb1GZ8Z4WwmlYoiOtxDeRvV50cIXfgwaJtHobZUHyQybxjp3-qeQSn9OaXROcu7guUQklT8/s1600/CosmosCatDesign002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3z0LLCS5doaBW6JJrkbevbix8dNP7s7CUbLcOqoeyg7MBTrdWB-9RLgbEGoTU99lBEQjRHb1GZ8Z4WwmlYoiOtxDeRvV50cIXfgwaJtHobZUHyQybxjp3-qeQSn9OaXROcu7guUQklT8/s1600/CosmosCatDesign002.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></div>
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There will NOT be any fabric on the cat when it's complete. Rather, I am working with a moldable Thermoplastic for a secure way to attach the bubble to the cat form. Stay Tuned!</div>
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Edit on 4/26/2015: This design detail was revised back to using a vinyl cover over the metal brackets. I created two separate circular pieces that nested together, with a Velcro® closure. Sewing vinyl with a circle cut certainly tested my sewing machine skills!</div>
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Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-69505896492830986442014-11-22T21:21:00.002-07:002015-01-17T09:15:35.005-07:00The Cosmos Cat Project Has A Sponsor!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I received notice today that my design now has sponsorship! Sponsors provide "up front" money so that the Cat Care Society is able to purchase the cat forms for painting. Sponsors also provide a small stipend for artist supplies, as well as one ticket for the artist to attend the auction night gala and dinner. I am thrilled!</div>
Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360088738201410495.post-71283259992113409452014-11-19T10:49:00.002-07:002015-01-17T09:15:35.008-07:00For the Cats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been a fan of Tails of the Painted Cats since they began 4 years ago. It's a fundraiser where artists create designs to paint onto fiberglass cat forms, which are auctioned off to the highest bidder at a gala dinner event. All proceeds benefit the Cat Care Society, a non-profit, no-kill shelter for lost kitties in the Denver area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pyseNtubcoM_8AOgWreFZngjXLPvh2s-4cwW9OBHrhbBy3s5OOK_qoX9Ptx5OGbaunQe5li_6e8WC2hE5FlOmjP5H3cnneZpdZjIQj7Q65qjApE7lymC7QInkd84u-lwpxA144O5e0M/s1600/CatForm003small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pyseNtubcoM_8AOgWreFZngjXLPvh2s-4cwW9OBHrhbBy3s5OOK_qoX9Ptx5OGbaunQe5li_6e8WC2hE5FlOmjP5H3cnneZpdZjIQj7Q65qjApE7lymC7QInkd84u-lwpxA144O5e0M/s1600/CatForm003small.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2ojoSWaip9wxedSnigwTrLtbWpPtv8P9kIgcetzecXSgyZoP3fhhT2ZzPB50AiXqeh_mFmqEn0_d_H_QzrmYwD8-7zZRG7Xx7Plr0xQgDF1Y6LHi_7h3V4dXeLa9H3D_ac0DeMYYqK0/s1600/CatFormsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2ojoSWaip9wxedSnigwTrLtbWpPtv8P9kIgcetzecXSgyZoP3fhhT2ZzPB50AiXqeh_mFmqEn0_d_H_QzrmYwD8-7zZRG7Xx7Plr0xQgDF1Y6LHi_7h3V4dXeLa9H3D_ac0DeMYYqK0/s1600/CatFormsmall.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
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The cat forms come in two configurations, seated and standing. My design was submitted for a standing cat, although the TOPC Committee can modify that part of the design.<br />
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I always planned to enter a design but either missed the entry deadline or could not fit it into my schedule those first years. I vowed this year would be different, and my design was accepted for a painted cat. I have created this website to show the process of creating Cosmos Cat.</div>
Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0