Monday 24 January 2011

Dusty

When I saw the topic  for this week's Illustration Friday I had to take part.

These are my old dusty boots, faithful dog walkers for many years and kept on the doorstep until....
(If you are of a nervous nature, look away now!)
...until one evening I returned home in nearly darkness to find that one of my cats had put a rat in one of my boots.  I knew it was a rat because I could see its tail sticking out.
Fortunately we only have 'country' rats round here, little things with white tummies, but it still frightened the life out of me when it jumped out and started running around in a frenzy!

The rat was quickly caught again (while I stood on the table), but I just don't feel comfortable in my old boots anymore.

34 comments:

jill said...

great drawing, I love the rat story, I can't believe your cat put him in there without killing him. My cat kills whatever it can get hold of. You could always put boot liners in there they look too comfy to not wear

bettyfromtexas said...

What a gorgeous rendering!!

Sylvia Liu said...

This is really beautiful!

The Art of Phil Davis said...

Great sketch and a great story.

Elza said...

Those boots have personality. You can see that they have made many interesting miles. I like the softness of the colors in your drawing. I viewed the rat very differently after the mention of it's little white tummy.

Unknown said...

Great drawing and story.

Julia Kelly said...

ahhhh, nice of your cat to give her master a offering- but yeah- I wouldn't be putting my foot in those boots again! Lovely rendering of them, btw-

magpie said...

you've captured the lived in quality of these boots beautifully.

heike said...

These boots are looking so comfy you'd want to slip right into them. BUT imagine your cat sticking a live rat into it! I don't think I could wear them after that experience either. It's so great what you can do with watercolours.

Shirley said...

another perfect example of your skills capturing lights and shadows! Wish I could sketch and paint alongside and just watch you paint.

Vicky L. Williamson said...

LOL! I'd have to join you on that table. LOVE the gorgeous coloring of these boots. They look great for dog walking too.

Pat said...

Love paintings of boots - yours is splendid.
Shame about the rat though *eek*

dosankodebbie said...

Great illo! I love drawing old shoes too; they have so much character!

INDIGENE said...

Beautiful illustration!

Unknown said...

This is a great painting! It holds such fond feelings and tells so many stories! I love it!

Sarah Melling said...

Really lovely! Glad to have found your blog via Illustration Friday!

Shalini said...

Lovely light and shade painting!! Love it

Alex said...

Amazing looking boots!
Love the use of cool and earthy tones, and it's unmistakably your work as well. =) Beautiful!

martinepittet said...

Wonderful sketch, Cathy ! I still wonder how you manage to render this soft texture !

Anonymous said...

A beautiful sketch - I love the way the colours blend.

Shirley said...

W-O-W! Simply amazing work. : )

Anonymous said...

great job conveying the character of the boot leather. very nice, and good story too.

Unknown said...

Awesome boots! So much character in them, full of life. Aw...don't let a little rat stop you! Funny story...at least it wasn't a snake! My cat brings us copperheads! (poisonous!)

Ellen Burkett said...

A beautiful painting, Cathy. But I was hoping the rat would make a clean escape! :)

Timaree said...

Great painting of your boots. I'd just check that they were clean inside and keep on wearing them. Cats sure love to bring "presents" back to their families!

Sarah said...

Lovely painting of your boots and great story - I once slept in a 'room' in Nepal which had rats living in the 'ceiling' (it was on a nature reserve and a bit rustic). During the night they would race around the room. Not very hygeinic, but I did mange to sleep through it. I still dislike rats though!

theartofpuro said...

Fantastica illustrazione!Bei colori e bella idea:)Mi piace la storia che c'e dietro:)

Anonymous said...

I shouldn't have read the story - now I will have to shake my boots every time I put them on!! A lovely drawing!

Dan Kent said...

This is masterful!! After a painting like this, you should feel comfortable in them again. I love the way you drew them, and the creative mixture of colors from purple to red, and the blending. Wow!

Lucia B. said...

Beautiful work! Maybe you don't feel so comfortable with them anymore, but they are still a good subject for one of your lovely watercolours! I also liked your story about the rat...

Sara Light-Waller said...

What beautiful boots! And a great story too. ;-)

kazumiwannabe said...

Hiw nice of your cat to bring you a present ; ) ! Awesome drawing, the light falling on the shoes makes them look really fabulous.

Gillian Mowbray said...

Just catching up - I'm so glad you took part in IF that week - especially as the subject is so beautifully done. The colours are perfect - I'd love to see this on a greetings card. x

Unknown said...

I love the boots and the story. wonderful drawing :)