Can I Trust You?

Eight years ago, Frida chose (with the temptation of food) to enter our home and give up her freedom as a feral cat.

For the longest time, she wouldn’t make eye contact and I accepted our relationship on her terms. 

One morning, as I made my way to the kitchen to prepare her food, she greeted me with hesitant eye contact, tilting her head slightly, wrapping her tail protectively around her front paws…non-verbally asking ‘can I trust you?’ 

Years went by before she would allow me to touch her.  Now, she regularly cuddles with Paul and me, and sometimes sleeps curled up under my chin. 

Estimated to be 10 years old, we consider the day she entered our home to be her birthday…so ‘Happy Birthday, Frida!’  

Of all the gifts you’ve given me, the greatest is the lesson in trust. 

“Can I Trust You?”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 12” x 5.5”, Acrylic on wood. ♥

Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

With the surrounding desert in full bloom, we spent yesterday at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix…absolutely fascinating, and we only scratched the surface! 

Every instrument and genre of music from countries all over the world are represented in this extraordinary museum.  There’s even a small clay drum dated 1500 BC! 

We stood in front of the Steinway piano upon which John Lennon wrote ‘Imagine’, while listening to (and watching) a video of him singing the song. 

There were so many highlights, neither one of us could pick a favorite moment. I can’t wait to go back!  ♥

Purr-fect Fit

A pair of Birkenstocks on the bedroom floor triggered memories of Jasper, when he was a kitten. 

Often he’d curl up in a single sandal – sometimes ready to play; other times, just for a nap. 

The memory still brings a smile, so I reached for pencil and paper to capture that dreamlike moment with a quick sketch. 

“Purr-fect Fit”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 5” x 7”, Graphite Pencil.  ♥

Shadow Self

Spent part of the morning walking in our yard with a young raven who stopped by. 

S/he seemed interested in checking out the locale (and, while she didn’t come right out and say it, I got the impression the pros & cons of making a nest were seriously being considered).  She  casually strolled across the front yard, and made her way around the entire perimeter of the property, before coming into the backyard.  Raven led the way…I merely followed. 

When our neighbor, Chuck, came over to say ‘hello’, she hopped onto a tree branch and waited patiently until we’d finished our conversation. 

At that point, she and I resumed our walk – enjoying the sunshine on our backs, and reflecting on the shadows we cast upon the ground, amongst other deep subjects. 

Old friends, we parted with a promise to catch up again soon. 

“Shadow Self”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 5” x 7”, Acrylic on stretched canvas.  ♥

Just Another Bozo

April Fool’s Day – getting in touch with my inner bozo (like I need a special day for that, right?). 

Another (ahem!) artistic entry for my ‘Just Another Bozo’ series (inspiration from Firesign Theatre’s ‘I Think We’re All Bozos On This Bus’ album from 1971). 

Continuous line drawing, with color added afterward…the only intention, to kick back and have fun!   

“Just Another Bozo,”  © 2013 Cathy Gazda, Pencil and Metallic Acrylic Paint.  ♥

Easter Lily

A time of ‘holi-days’ for many friends. 

Whether you celebrate ‘Passover/Pesach’, ‘Nowruz/Norouz’, the ‘Return of the Sun’, the ‘Return of the Son’, ‘Ishtar, Goddess of Fertility’ (with all the ‘Bunny/Egg-shaped chocolate symbols), or ‘None of the Above’, I wish you a joy-filled and peaceful day. 

May we all be liberated, renewed and reawakened in ways that rejuvenate and transform our lives. 

“Easter Lily”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Watercolor.  ♥

Calling The Moon

The moon ‘wanted more of my night’ (hat tip to line from Dar Williams’ song ‘Calling The Moon’). 

No matter how much I tried to go back to sleep, her pull eventually brought me to the window.  Crickets and other night creatures were a-buzz in a chorus of ‘Brava!’ while the moon took center stage.  The more my eyes adjusted, I could even see a few stars in the sky…in supporting roles. 

The last verse of Dar Williams’ song kept playing over and over, in my mind: 

“Calling the moon,

'Cause I know what it's worth,

To tug at the seas and illumine the earth,

Oh, I am calling the moon, Oh, I am calling the moon.”    

“Calling The Moon”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Acrylic on canvas panel.  ♥