Amazing Phenomenon! Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics

[Ian David]

A friend of mine had me over to his house and showed me the most amazing thing.

He had built an addition on his home for his cat to use as an art studio!

This cat produced some of the most beautiful and complex paintings I have ever seen. Some of these paintings have been sold for thousands of dollars in art galleries, and the cat has even had its own art exhibits.

At first, I thought he was having me on.

And then he showed me this incredible book, and I was blown away.

Cats seem to have an innate ability to paint and create art!

This makes crop circles look lame by comparison. While crop circles appear sporadically and mysteriously in the dark of night, you can actually sit and watch the cat as it goes through the creative process.

I spent two hours watching his amazing cat, Randi, create a breathtaking work of art.





You have to check it out:

Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics


Book Description
A Theory of Feline Aesthetics

An unprecedented photographic record of cat creativity that will intrigue cat-lovers and art-lovers alike. As far as we know, no theory of feline aesthetics has yet been presented, at least not with such remarkable clarity and thorough documentation.

# Hardcover
# Publisher: Ten Speed Pr (August 1, 1994)
# Language: English
# ISBN: 0898156238

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0898156238/ref=ed_oe_h/104-9586925-9759100?v=glance&st=*


Here is the author's website:
http://www.monpa.com/wcp/

[The Doctor.]

1. I too have a cat named Randy...

He's not so inclined, but then again I never got him an airbrush...

[Ian David]

3. It's well worth the money to buy him some canvass and finger paints

I used to have two cats. One was named Joe, and the other was named Nichols.

I've never seen them paint, but it was a real treat to watch my friend's amazing cat, Randi!

I don't have any cats now, but I have two dogs-- Shermer and Dawkins.

Hmmm... I wonder if dogs can paint?

[charlie]

6. Whoops, sorry

Wrong thread. Headed for the Lounge....

[The Doctor.]

11. Darn it! Ya got me!... I'm going to have to do this if for no other reason

than to satisfy my curiousity as to whether I have a feline rembrandt.

lol

[burrowowl]

2. My cat likes putting paw prints

all over my car, maybe she is a budding talent?

[Ian David]

4. The book does discuss that. See, cats have an innate desire to paint

All you need to do is spend a few bucks for the materials and let them do their stuff.

[kittenpants]

5. my theory is that they're trying to

get the paint off of their paws. :shrug: That sounds like something my cat would do, but probably on my bedspread or a rug. How does your friend make sure the cats don't lick the paint off their paws?

[Ian David]

7. The cats create very complex works that reflect their environment

I didn't ask about the cat licking the paint...

Here are some of the reviews on Amazon.com

The psychology and aesthetics of feline art, August 19, 2000
Reviewer: M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Why Cats Paints is a solemn, well-researched study of feline aesthetics - witness the extensive photos of the feline artists and their works.

<snip>

Despite the oil painting cat of the front cover, not all the art media is that chosen by humans - witness the 1993 work titled "How Now" where the media is scratched date post or the 1990 work "Passing Through" on an appropriated couch. An enjoyable romp through art commentary with excellent text and photos.

<snip>

Great hit with artists with paws!, June 25, 2001
Reviewer: Jenner PiRat (USA) - See all my reviews
I really enjoyed this book *got it as a gift*. After showing it to several artist friends of mine, it became a huge hit! The content of the book goes over several real live cats who make a profession of painting *on canvas, walls, and bathtubs*. It also includes historical records concerning instances of cats painting (Egyptian, Chinese, and English). It contains many colorful photos of frisky felines with an attitude towards the 2-D arts *and some 3-D as well!* One has to see this book to believe it! it is a wonderful addition to any feline artist's library!

<snip>

Exceptional & Beautifully Done!, November 6, 1998
Reviewer: A reader
I skimmed this book while on a press check and being a cat-lover, I never forgot about the book. It's beautiful and sweet and you'll find yourself wanting to hug the kitty-artisans on the colorful pages within. A memorable coffee table piece!

<snip>

I loved it!, February 22, 1998
Reviewer: A reader
Seems there are a lot of non-believers out there... that's too bad. I first found out my cat liked to paint when he would dab his paw in the wet paint of a painting I was working on. He has done this on several occasions! I thought it was just my cat, but thanks to this book I see that it is "natural." Now that I've read the book I intend to give my cat paints and let him go at it. This book is a great conversation piece, I took it to work and it was a hit. It also made me feel good inside.

<snip>

A MUST OWN Book, especially for cat & art afficiandos, August 9, 1997
Reviewer: A reader
A delightful romp through the world of art and cats! Incredibly eye-appealing art work and food for thought. Folks, I think we are following the wrong path here. Dedicate one room in your home to the cats, set up the paint and easels...and put the little critters to work! They seem to love it!! I know I did...great uplifting book and look at life

<snip>

An exquisite addition to the wonders of the feline world!, August 7, 1997
Reviewer: A reader
I have been involved with cats since I was born especially being the only child - they were my family along with animals in general. This book is a delight to read and I often bring it out and wonder at the pictures and accounts of the feline artists. I love to paint myself and often turn to it to escape from the stress of working in the animal shelter environment. One day one of my cats, named Romeo, wandered over and started playing in my paints. Normally I would have shooed him away but this book opened my eyes to the depth of our whiskered pals. I allowed him to play with the paint (non-toxic) and he promptly patted the red paint and touched me leaving what looked like little paw hearts all over my arm. It totally thrilled me and now all 8 of my cats enjoy the pastime of liquid colors. This book was so very enjoyable and eye-opening that I reccomend it to all animal lovers alike!!

[kittenpants]

8. It makes me wonder more than ever

what's going on in my cat's little head. She's probably mentally redecorating right now... "ooh! those curtains are awful. I must shred them!"

[Ian David]

10. Maybe your cat is more suited to Feng Shui than to painting?

I suppose some cats might have a natural talent for sensing the flow of energy within a room.

[Ian David]

12. Test Your Cat's Creative Potential

Test Your Cat's Creative Potential

The Museum of Non-Primate Art has recently introduced a set of 18 pictorial cards which have been specially designed by their animal psychologist to enable people to test their cat's creative potential.

We have reproduced four of the cards here so that you can hold your cat's face up to the screen and get an idea of its aesthetic ability by noting its reactions to the pictures. When using these cards it is important to note that it is not necessary for the cat to be looking directly at the image. This is because many cats use their more color and movement-specific peripheral vision when studying objects closely and therefore look at them sideways rather than full on. (This is why cats will suddenly look intently in one direction when there seems to us to be nothing there at all.)

The complete set of 18 cards have recently been compiled in an easy-to-use book so that all cat owners have the opportunity to discover their cat's artistic potential. You can find out more about these ground-breaking test cards and/or purchase your own complete set from the MONPA Shop.

More:
http://www.monpa.com/wcp/creative.html

[Ian David]

9. The History of Feline Art

he discovery in 1990 of the c.3000 BC Aperia Cats, Etak and Tikk, with their painted scrolls, was the first conclusive evidence that cat-marking behavior was known and valued by the ancient Egyptians. The unravelled scroll (right) shows clearly visible paw marks



This mediaeval bestiary illustration demonstrates the existence of 'painting' by cats in the Middle Ages. Because cats were regarded as agents of the devil during this period, they are depicted here as evil alchemists about to transmute the caged bird and sleeping dog, prey and enemy of the cat, into gold.
On Loan from Bodhead Library, Oxford.



Cat-marking behavior was trivialized in Victorian times, as this poster shows. While Matissa certainly made marks with paint, Mrs. Broadmoore (in reality a rather portly man dressed as a woman), amused the audience by pretending that the cat's simple paintings were "pawtraits" of people in the audience.


More:
http://www.monpa.com/wcp/history.html

[kittenpants]

13. that is too cool...

and, yes, I will be testing my cat with flash cards & buying her a smock tomorrow.

[Ian David]

14. I know! It's unbelievable, isn't it?

Absolutely un-fucking-believable!

[Liberal In Texas]

17. You're too funny! I enjoyed this. Kicking 'cause it's sinking....

[Atlas Mugged]

36. My immediate impression, also

One of my cats, Grindel, always - ALWAYS - washes his paws after using the litter box. I'm constantly cleaning the water bowl. I've owned many cats, but this is the first cat I've ever known who hates the feeling of litter enough to do something about it. But, damn, I get tired of cleaning water bowls. And, yes, I've tried the multiple bowls route; he gets to them all eventually.

[RC]

15. Gee, after 10's of thousands of years of having cats for pets,

someone just now figures out cats are smart enough to make art?

I have this bridge for sale... It needs to be relocated, though. The firewood is free.

[Ian David]

18. No, read my prior post on the history of feline art

The discovery in 1990 of the c.3000 BC Aperia Cats, Etak and Tikk, with their painted scrolls, was the first conclusive evidence that cat-marking behavior was known and valued by the ancient Egyptians. The unravelled scroll (right) shows clearly visible paw marks.

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4119972&mesg_id=4120166

[Ian David]

19. I believe in the unimagined weirdness of the multiverse.

It's a strange place, this place.

It's obvious that the complexity and precision of many of the cat paintings is far beyond the capacity of the average guy with a brush.

Unfortunately, there are hoaxes that muddy the waters.

[RC]

24. Which is why this got moved to the Lounge...

"Unfortunately, there are hoaxes that muddy the waters."

[Chomskyite]

16. How in the world is that possible?

I always thought that cats were color blind and the cats I have would never keep at one activity for any sustainable length of time. This has piqued my curiosity though and I will seek out that book.

[Ian David]

30. Maybe they sense the vibrational energy of the pigments? n/t

[eridani]

20. Didn't the book recommend using scented acrylics?

I enjoyed the book, but thought it was something of a put-on.

My brain: walnut-sized
Yours: largest among primates.
Yet, who goes to work?

[Heidi]

26. It's satire. (nt)

[Ian David]

31. Satire? I hate it when skeptics don't keep an open mind

Don't you realize that there are other world views that are just as valid as yours?

What do you care what people want to think? Why should everyone think alike? Cat paintings would appear to be harmless and therefore not worth big battles about them. I'm just saying there's a third way--not blindly believing any theory, not blindly disparaging any theory--just keeping an open mind. That's the way of objective science in the face of unexplained phenomena.

At the very least they should be respected for being pretty awesome creations.

And the mathematical expressions of "sacred geometry" in cat paintings are at the very least, the mind games of very intelligent operators. Why can't cat paintings just be fun and educational?

[Heidi]

33. I'm sorry you hate it.

I have as open a mind as any you'll ever encounter, but this book, along with "Dancing With Cats" and the Museum of Non Primate art are openly advertised as satire.

FYI, cats painting with oil paints is harmful to the cat, however beautiful they are and whatever you think about this genre. So, they're not entirely harmless, are they?

For what it's worth, I don't care who made the paintings in the book. They're beautiful paintings, in my opinion. I respect your opinion, but I don't agree with it.

[Vinca]

21. Wow - the answer to my financial woes!

Stinker, Rosie . . . pick your palette. Rosie, the inside cat, should do especially well since she spends a portion of each day attacking doors and windows trying to get out. My favorite move - and the one that will probably be most profitable - is the one where she starts at the far end of the living room, runs like hell, going airborne about 6 feet before she reaches the screen door and then latching on with all her might to the very top. By the way, those expensive "claw proof" screens actually work.

[Jose Diablo]

22. A few links on this

CatManDrew

And for those that scoff:Cat Art

"There stands a long-haired black and white cat, smearing blue paint on a yellow background next to Van Gogh's work, Blossoms Blue. The result could be a Japanese abstract."

Then there is: Monsignor's Cats

And from this site: Church Cat


Seems like cats are almost human in their aesthetics and propensity for reverence to 'something else'.



Edit:To fix the broken link commands.

[Jose Diablo]

23. I am not going to

kick this topic. It seems so...feline.

[Ian David]

35. Thank you! Do you think hundreds of people would study this...

and document it in detail if it were a hoax?

I think not.

There is something going on with the cats that modern science can not explain.

Painting cats emit sound at 5khz frequency -- Researchers have measured a distinct emission of energy at 5khz emanating from painting cats. This corresponds to reports of eye-witnesses who often claim to hear a "trilling" sound coming from the direction of the cats as they are painting.

Cat paintings transform into new patterns as they dry. There have been instances where certain paintings take on an entirely different appearance as they continue to dry on the cancas. For example, one painting got a wavy look within the center of the circle that wasn't there originally.

Cat paintings happen around many people -- One main point against the hoax theories is that many paintings are created in front of large audiences. They are also produced at night without the aid of any lighting.

[Heidi]

25. No one who cares about their cat's health . . .

would allow it anywhere near oil paint and the associated media. This book is cute and funny, but it's satire, folks.

Please, DU friends, talk to your veterinarian before you allow your cat to put his/her feet in any kind of paint. Many of the chemicals in artists' materials (including some pigments) are poison and can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Cats are even more sensitive to some of these chemicals. I make art for a living in a well ventilated studio, and there are some materials I _never_ touch with unprotected hands.

End of rant.

[Squeech]

27. Hogwash

It's a good hoax, but it's a hoax.

OTOH, there are elephants that paint-- but on the other other hand, elephants' brains are comparable in size to ours, and there is also evidence that they have a spoken language (in subsonic frequencies, where they can hear and we can't).

As for cats' color sensitivity, they have significantly more rods (black and white sensors) than cones (color sensors), where we and the other primates are closer to 50/50. But they can eventually be trained to find the red ball, they just have to get close enough to it to discern that it is the red one and not the yellow one. This makes evolutionary sense, since rods will trigger in much dimmer light, and cats hunt at night.

[Heidi]

29. It's totally satire!

These are the same folks who brought us the "Museum of Non Primate Art" and "Dancing with Cats."

http://www.monpa.com/index.html

[Ian David]

32. You throw that out without proof. But where's your scientific evidence?

"Oh, it's a hoax."

Prove it.

I have seen the amazing work of Randi the cat, first hand!

I only wish I had taught my own cats, Joe and Nichols how to paint, before they passed into the other world.

I'm thinking about trying to teach my dogs, Shermer and Dawkins how to paint.

It's so easy for the closed-minded to dismiss what they don't understand.

Hoaxers have yet to demonstrate the complexity found in some cat paintings. That's just one of those pesky facts.

[Heidi]

34. Seeing the amazing work of Randi the cat

is anecdotal, not scientific. So when you show your "scientific evidence," I'll try to come up with something to match it. Until then, ball's in your court. :hi:

By the way, you're cracking me up, and I don't say that in a mean way. I love the names Shermer and Dawkins!

[Ian David]

41. The naysayers always come out out the woodwork at the word "phenomenon"

They always come out of the woodwork when they see the word "phenomenon" and have to prove to everyone that they have the *truth* about them.

They love a good feeding frenzy and certain key words just set them in motion. You know you are getting to them when they throw out the line how others "must provide extraordinary proof of extraordinary claims".

Another is when they call things by their tagline of "woo woo" ( That is so old and yet they think its a fresh new insult. )

I agree with the posters who have said there are a lot of unanswered questions about cat painting.

I don't doubt at all there are a fair share made by hoaxers with nothing better to do....and really , who knows what they may even be helping to put out in the "ethers" by creating sacred geometry for the world....but I know there are many cat paintings that go unexplained as well.

[LisaL]

43. If you teach

you cats Joe and Nichols how to paint, they might pass into the other world sooner than you think.

[Ian David]

52. Well, thanks to Heidi I have learned not to use oil paints

I think I'll use the same non-toxic fingerpaints my daughter uses.

[LisaL]

59. I am sure your cats are very talented. You will have gorgeous

art work on your carpets and walls.

[Ian David]

37. Again, you call hoax without any proof to back-up your assertion

There are many unexplained questions about cat painting. It's obvious that the complexity and precision of many of the circles is far beyond the capacity of the average guy with a brush.

Another thing that fascinates me is how MANY there are in England every year and how fast they appear. Whoever is doing them is very prolific.

The best cat paintings have never been explained away by debunkers.

I guess I don't even care who is making them. They are still a mind-boggling phenomenon regardless.

I don't really understand why anyone would get rabid about whether they are "real" or a hoax. They ARE. That's amazing enough.

These cat painting debates are always circular and endless. Nobody has proven anything definitive. In the face of such mysterious creations you have to muster up just a little awe. They are some very cool art at least. An entertaining and thought-provoking art-form certainly. And great for tourism. What more do you want from art?

[Ian David]

42. Round about reasoning it seems

Round about reasoning it seems.

It's strange, to me, that there are so many un-answered phenomena that get the, "It's a hoax" meme.

Maybe you could clear up for me how the Grand Pyramid was built.

Or the platform for the Temple Mount.

[LisaL]

44. Grand Pyramid? Temple Mount?

Cats build it, of course.
I am surprised you didn't know that.
:evilgrin:

[Ian David]

53. sarcasm is the last resort of the morally bankrupt and unenlightened. n/t

[LisaL]

28. I always knew it! I always knew my cats could make a

living if they wanted to! But no, they sit at home waiting for me to feed them and pay their vet bills. Well, no more! It's tough love time! I am kicking them out. They can move to NY and make tons of money by selling their paintings.
Lazy bums!
Look at what other cats are capable of!

[barb162]

38. My cat does this on the windows when he sees a cat outside

Then he does kitty art with his rear end spraying on something to keep the other cats away.

[barb162]

39. Do you think I can sell urine spraying marks by my cat. It would

be the first time ever I could make some money off my cats

[LisaL]

40. Put it on ebay. Gotta make you at least a couple hundred bucks.

:evilgrin:

[barb162]

45. Yeah ,a real bidding war, huh?

bwa

[LisaL]

47. Well, I wouldn't buy it. I got plenty of that at home.

But some poor cat-less soul might.
:evilgrin:

[barb162]

49. Maybe sell the stuff as long lost Jackson Pollacks

and make millions. Then we could pay the vet, food and litter bills.
(right)

[struggle4progress]

65. Price might be higher if you claim the marks resemble Buddha or Honest Abe

[kwassa]

46. I've had this book for many years ..... it's a good satire on art writing.

[LisaL]

48. No, no, no! They paint, they really do...

I am already making little back packs for mine, as they are living for NY to open an art studio...

[kwassa]

50. I do the art, my cats just lie around and look beautiful.

Not an artistic bone in their bodies, other than their poses.

[barb162]

51. Reminds me of the eyeglasses commercial on TV where the

artsy-snotty guy selling the glasses spits water on the guy's glasses

[Ian David]

55. The usual closed-minded cynicism again. Where's your PROOF?

Again, more closed-minded cynicism from those who refuse to believe that there are things science can not explain.

How convenient.

And how do you explain the high energy and low entropy that investigators have discovered in the minds of cats that paint?

I don't care for controlling others any more than I like attempts to control me, and this opinion is shared by others as well. Besides, I object to the denigration of some posters for having what some consider "controversial beliefs."

Everyone's view has equal value and equal worth. There is no one "truth" that everyone shares.

How can someone says that their belief is the only correct one, and that any alternative belief is a "tinfoil hat" theory.

Science still hasn't explained how crop circles are made, why pyramids in Egypt are so much like the ones in Mexico, and why cats paint.

These "science" people think they know everything, yet allopathic "conventional" medicine kills thousands of people a year.

If more people who share these values would rely exclusively upon the ancient, traditional medicines that have sustained mankind for centuries, the world would be a better place.

Some of my heroes-- Doug Henning, Michael Landon, Jim Henson-- have followed a similar path, and I don't hear any of them complaining.

I just wish the conservative right-wingers would learn to put more faith in traditional methods, and rely less upon the big-money medical establishment.

"Modern" medicine is new. "Traditional" medicine is old. Excuse me, but I choose to put my faith in something that hasn't changed one bit for two thousand years, rather than some pill that was invented by some"scientist" (big pharmaceutical company)last year.

If the pharmaceutical companies are so smart, then how come they have to keep changing their formulas and making new "medicines?"

I'm sorry, but I put more faith in ancient wisdom than in the latest concoction sold by some marketing firm.

[salvorhardin]

56. That is so true!!

Why can't others see the magic in the world like Doug Henning did. Their close minded bigots who think they know reality.

"Anything the mind can conceive is possible. Nothing is impossible. All you have to do is look within and you can realize your fondest dreams. I would like to wish each one of you all of life's wonders and a joyful age of enlightenment."
-- Doug Henning (1947 - 2000)

[Ian David]

57. Exactly! And maybe some of his "illusions" were real

People who do hoaxes just muddy the waters in the search for real phenomenon.

Someone, somewhere might be able to levitate a sexy woman for real.

[Ian David]

67. Doug Henning died so young. What happened? n/t

[salvorhardin]

68. He died of liver cancer.

I guess we'll never know if a squadron of flying yogis hovering over Cananda can make the world safe for democracy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Henning

Oh well, at least they're still trying to build the Vedaland theme park in Iowa.
http://maharishivediccity.net/amenities/vedaland.html

[Ian David]

69. Well, I'm sure he would have died much younger without TM meditation

Just imagine how much worse it would have been if he'd believed in "modern" medicine?

[kwassa]

58. and traditional medicine has what relationship to cats painting?

IanDB1:
"Everyone's view has equal value and equal worth."

Oh, no. There is opinion, and there is informed opinion. Two very different things, of course, of considerably different value.

[Ian David]

61. Well, isn't that convenient. n/t

[LisaL]

60. Well,

"Modern" medicine is new. "Traditional" medicine is old."
And some people are nuts. Those are just the facts of life.

[Ian David]

62. Yeah... it's nuts to trust yourself to some doctor's pills and chemicals

Doctors admit to making thousands of mistakes every year.

Herbalists don't admit to any.

How many pharmaceutical companies have had drugs yanked off the market because they don't work or they're dangerous?

And have you ever heard an herbalist say, "Well, I guess ground-up rhino horn doesn't really cure impotency. I'd better pull it off the market."

That really says it all, doesn't it, about which is more credible?

[Ian David]

66. Again, another naysayer come to harsh our buzz. Where's your PROOF?

I just don't understand the common urge in this forum to be a buzz harsher, killjoy and party pooper. Those kinds of folk don't get invitation to the really, really good parties.

No one does anything unless they derive some value from it so I ask you, what value do you derive from going to threads and belittling those who would ordinarily be your allies?

[pink-o]

54. I don't know about painting...

But watch my cat make good use of the graphics software program to create cutting-edge art.

[AlienGirl]

63. Randi is amazing, eh?

:P

[Pepperbelly]

64. not very, actually ...

I think Randi's dumb as dirt but that's just me.

I'm a dog lover ya see.