Peddler Kitty..

 I needed a new prop to display miniature papercuttings and decided to create a dummy board for the purpose.

I will paint the original piece on watercolor paper, size is about 24x 20.

After drawing this dear kitty, I begin to apply water color, layer by layer. I love painting eyes. They are usually the first thing I concentrate upon  because once the eyes are there, staring up at me from the paper,  a connection is made and the character begins to take on a life of her own.

She looks up at me as if to say, " I do so love wearing calico, and blue is my favorite color, although teal is a close second. She coyly hints, "I wear several petticoats and a bustle as well." 

"I nearly always wear a straw hat atop my lacy cap. It keeps the thistledown from my fuzzy head, and is quite stylish. Oh, please don't forget my red ribbons!"

 She directs me on all the little details and I begin to get a good idea of exactly who this tidy lady is. She has a name, occupation, and a distinct personality to go along with her bonnet, apron and flouncy skirt.

 We are developing a lovely friendship

 She informed me that she needed a warm cape, (as she is susceptible to the ague), and I had to attach extra paper onto the sides to expand her width.
    Oh! It looks as if we have a snoopy peeping tom observing through the window! This is especially funny since my studio is on the second floor of the house. Those peacocks can't keep their beaks out of anyone's business!

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     This reminds Peddler kitty to relate to me that she isn't like her cat kinsfolk when it comes to the birdie kind.

She likes little birds and is quite friendly with them. She finds  birdsong quite a delight and wouldn't think of harming a tiny feather on a fluffy birdy head. Mice are another matter entirely, she is fond of mice, but only when baked in a crusty tart  and served with a spicy sage sauce, and she proceeds to give me the recipe.

 I have decided to give her a  chickadee and a bluebird to rest upon her shoulder and tweet sweet melodies into her wide pink ears. She is delighted with the choice of birds.

 

It takes many hours to finish up all the small and intricate details,

such as hat weave and fabric patterns.

And during that time, I learn so many things about Peddler Kitty... and I make notes in my small leather journal.

What started out as being a design for a dummy board, has now given me an entire new storybook idea.

 Thank you Peddler Kitty, for an enjoyable and entertaining time together, we will be visiting again, after I finish book 3.
 In the meantime, I will take this painting and have it copied, mount the copy on hardboard, attach a horizontal display pole to her little paws and she will hold the small hanging paper-cuttings for me..