Painting by BZTAT

OK, it is not exactly on the easel. I had to hang this one on the wall to paint it. It is 6′ tall, after all.

A friend gave me some odd shaped canvases to paint, and this one just cried out for a bottle to be painted on it. And, of course, my obnoxious cat Brewskie Butt found his way onto the bottle.

If you have not visited The Brew’s website recently, you might want to go take a peak. It has been redesigned and is a new place for feline fun. And the Brew is pleased as pitch about his new book, “Where in the World is Brewskie Butt Meowin’ Today?” He is having a book launch party on Twitter on this Wednesday 1/25/12. Be sure to join him for some crazy, whacky shenannigans!

We are also celebrating the Brew in the “real world” for February. Beginning on First Friday (2/3/12) I will have a special “What’s Brewin’?'” showing of Brewskie Butt artwork at the Creative Ohio Gallery at 310 4th St. NW in Canton.

So what’s Brewin’ with you?

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Check out my Referral Incentive Program! Send your friends here and you could get an ACEO by BZTAT!

Custom Pet Portraits / Contemporary Artwork of Cats, Dogs and other Animals

BZTAT Studios - In the heart of the Canton, OH Arts District

Digital Art by BZTAT

“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” ~Aaron Rose

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Check out my Referral Incentive Program! Send your friends here and you could get an ACEO by BZTAT!

Custom Pet Portraits / Contemporary Artwork of Cats, Dogs and other Animals

BZTAT Studios - In the heart of the Canton, OH Arts District

People who know me in my day to day “real” life would say it is not that uncommon for me to throw a fit. But I have pretty good boundaries when it comes to the internet. I rarely have a meltdown in a medium that is open for all to see.

What got into me last night? I was upset that a political agenda was interrupting my plans. Never mind that I basically was in support of the political agenda that was compelling me to change direction. It was the fact that I was being compelled that upset me.

I had planned a Twitter event for today. After putting considerable time and effort into coordinating plans with others for the event to take place, I learned that the SOPA internet “blackout” protests would likely affect our use of certain Twitter apps for the event. Reluctantly, I decided that I had to reschedule the event.

It is not that difficult to reschedule, in fact, the extra time may give me opportunities to enhance the event. But being forced to alter my course really angered me. I am a heavy user of the internet, and I was not pleased with being unable to use it as I wished.

Luckily, I have some very wise and supportive Facebook friends who calmed my fit down. Not only that, they helped me see that our government passing SOPA would quite possibly make my temporary interruption of internet use an every day thing. Were SOPA to become law, I would be compelled daily to use the internet according to governmental standards that are unrealistic and unfair.

SOPA  (Stop Online Piracy Act) is legislation to deal with the increasing problem of copyright infringement by foreign entities who fail to respect intellectual property laws of other countries. The problem is correctly identified. This is a serious problem. The solution is flawed, though, and it has far-reaching and harmful impact. SOPA would cause serious damage to internet freedom and individual rights, forcing unrealistic censorship on legitimate websites and internet users.

Unlike many who are completely shutting down their websites today to protest SOPA, I am keeping my site active. I do, however support the actions of those who are “blacking out” today. My site is the hub of my business, and I simply cannot afford to bring it all down, not even for one day.

I am, however, leaving this space, the center of my front page which is usually graced with an artwork image prominently displayed, dark. And I will be letting my legislators know that I do not want them to support SOPA, or the similarly drafted bill PIPA ( Protect Intellectual Property Act).

Tomorrow this space will be once again graced with colorful artwork. I hope that today you will reflect upon how much nicer my site is with imagery in the center, and therefore, consider how important it is for Congress to find a better solution to internet piracy.

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Check out my Referral Incentive Program! Send your friends here and you could get an ACEO by BZTAT!

Custom Pet Portraits / Contemporary Artwork of Cats, Dogs and other Animals

BZTAT Studios - In the heart of the Canton, OH Arts District

Design by BZTAT, crafted by Glassmith Artists

I don’t usually brag about my own work. When someone interprets one of my designs as fantabulously as my friends Karl Smith and Brock Allen of Glassmith Artists did with this piece, though, I think I am entitled! Their expert craftsmanship really added amazing dimension to my image of my Maine Coon cat named Who.

Karl and Brock are stained glass artists in Apple Creek, OH, a scenic town west of Canton where I live. We met through the Creative Ohio Gallery where we are all involved in the Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild. Last night, during the annual Canton First Friday Ice Festival, they put the finishing touches on the “Ice, Ice Kitty!” piece and shared their craft with patrons of the gallery. A great time was had by all!

The idea for the piece came from this digital artwork that I created a couple of years ago from a photo of Who.

Digital Art by BZTAT

From that image, I abstracted and simplified shapes to make it conducive to a stained glass design.

Cat drawing for stained glass design by BZTAT

Then Brock and Karl added their magical stained glass craftsmanship.

Brock Allen crafting the stained glass image

And the finished product!

Brock Allen with the finished "Ice, Ice Kitty!"

We were blessed with unseasonably warm weather for January, so the whole town came out for First Friday!

Canton First Friday

It is so wonderful to collaborate with other artists and to be in such a creative community as Creative Ohio. If you would like to get involved, check us out. You do not have to live in Ohio to be a member.

The stained glass “Ice, Ice Kitty!” can be purchased for the low price of $250 plus shipping. Custom BZTAT designs created in stained glass by Glassmith Artists can also be commissioned, starting at $400. Contact me if you are interested in commissioning a piece or are interested in the “Ice, Ice Kitty!” piece. The original drawing can be purchased for $60 + shipping. Let me know if you are interested in that as well.

I am looking forward to further collaborations with Brock and Karl. Stay tuned…

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Check out my Referral Incentive Program! Send your friends here and you could get an ACEO by BZTAT!

Custom Pet Portraits / Contemporary Artwork of Cats, Dogs and other Animals

BZTAT Studios - In the heart of the Canton, OH Arts District