Hello everyone,
I’ve done some more work on my dragon-like cat project. More about that below. But first a little sad news. My little cat Eddie died a couple of days ago. He got very sick when Max died, and he never really recovered. He was a wonderful helper in my studio, the star of many of my videos, and a dear companion. I miss him terribly.
Life goes on. Making art helps. So on with the dragon-cat. I decided to add wings to this cat….of course. I always make the “fingers” (still don’t know what to call them) out of pieces of wire clothes hangers. I twist some paper around the wire, then some masking tape. I add strips of cloth mache over these before sculpting to add strength.
I used the extra set of arms for the wings. I started adding “fingers” …
…until I had the skeleton of one wing. Then the second.
I cut holes in the body of the cat and poked the wings into them.
At this point I added more cloth mache to the body and to the hands. It’s just easier to get to some spots before I drape the wings.
I draped the fingers with the cloth in glue. When it was dry I trimmed them.
So here is where it stands for now.
More soon. Thanks for watching!
PS. I am also making a couple more dragon trophies. I can’t seem to stay away. I’m making two that have contrasting personalities. I’ll intend to make one time-lapse video covering the pair. I’ll post something about those later.
Make art!
Gourmet Paper Mache Blog 
I’m so sorry for your loss. Pets are family. But I am glad you have a creative outlet to focus your emotions. Thanks for you posts. They do inspire!
Thank you Marie.
Such sad news about Eddie. Run free beautiful boy. I’ll miss him in your videos. Thinking of you.
He was a very pretty cat. But it was his little heart I loved. Thank you Karen.
I understand your loss, I’ve had 2 go in 2 years. But a wonderful stray found me and has been a lovey fat cat for several months. Life does go on. Loving the cat dragon, create on!
Thank you Jennifer. Sorry to hear about your losses. We do have two little ones from the shelter. They really help. Glad you like the new project.
I can’t wait to see the next photos. You are so talented, thanks for sharing.
I am also sorry for the loss of your friends Max and Eddie.
Thank you Marilyn. Your comments are much appreciated. It’s less talent, more practice.
I’m so sorry to hear about Eddie. I love Abyssinians! Cats and dogs have such short lives — they’re always too short. I’ve lost a cat and two dogs just in the last two years — all old guys; the dogs were both 17.
Your flying cat is looking good. Can you image what would happen if cats could fly? Then, there wouldn’t by ANYTHING that they couldn’t get into!
We’re all looking forward to the finished results. Your work is so incredibly good!
Thanks Sue. Yes, we had two Abbys. They were both rejects from the show world which was fine with us. We adored them both. Lots of personality. My little kittens DO fly when they are chasing bugs!
So sorry to hear of your loss. It is heartbreaking news. On the upside the cat dragon is coming along nicely.
Thank you Joy.
So very sorry about your second cat……Blessings. Love your videos…
Thank you Sandra.
Very cooool Dan! I am so looking forward to seeing your creation when it is finished!!!
Michelle Ramoutar 😀
I am very sorry for your loss of Eddie… to me he was … super Eddie… he always looked like he had a smile on his face and lots of love in his eyes for you.. his human… bless him.💗
Michelle Ramoutar
Thank you Michelle. I do miss his little face. I appreciate the kind words.
Aw, so sorry for your loss. Making a Dragocat is a beautiful and poetic way of honoring your companion. I love your work.
Thank you Susie. Doing the art is very helpful.
So sorry you have lost your cat friends, breaks your heart, I’m glad to see you are keeping busy, I really enjoy your blog, your dragons are brilliant. ☺️
Thank you Cath. Yes, I’m keeping busy, although I think of Eddie while I’m working.
Dan, I’m so sorry for your loss. I think your new sculpture is an lovely way to honor Eddie.
Thank you Martina. Yes, this new sculpture will have a little of Eddie in it.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Eddie. My thoughts are with you.
Thank you Pam. I really appreciate the note.
I’m so sorry for your losses of Max & Eddie. Thank you for continuing your creating.
Thank you mrhomn. You are very kind.
I´m sorry for Eddie, he was spectacular and great; I enjoyed so much watching him in your videos; I´m going to miss him. I have lost many furry friends too and know the black hole left behind… He will await for you, and meanwhile he will continue watching for you as a guardian angel. Blesses for you.
Thank you godave. Yes, it is a hole in my heart that’s hard to fill I hope I see him again. Take care
Sorry for your loss of Max and Eddie. Glad making art helps. looking forward to seeing this kitty on the as he develops.
Thank you smaktcatrants. Time will heal.
So very sorry about the passing of sweet Eddie. Enjoyed watching his antics in your videos and photos. I know it effected you deeply but glad to see you’re still making art.
Thanks Don. You are always really supportive. Hope you are well.
Oh no no no… Eddie….. :'(… I know he had been struggling with his sickness after Max passed, but I thought he would be over it by now…. I’m so sorry… Remember though: you gave them both a wonderful happy life. We all turn to dust sooner or later, but you got so much love from them, you’re truly blessed. I hope your other two companions are ok.
I think I can see where you’re going with the cat dragon there… I can’t wait to see the it finished. Stay strong!
Thank you Cernunna. Yes, Eddies was just never well after Max died. The steroids helped, but he always had problems. I’m just glad he’s no longer suffering.
Glad you like the new project.
I am so sorry for the loss of another of your fur babies!! 😢 You gave Eddie a wonderfully loving home to the last minute he was with you and now he’s with Max over the rainbow bridge, as they say. 💔🌈💟. Looking so forward to the next installment of the cat dragon! PS I believe the “fingers” of the wings could be called structurally supportive bones 😁 as in, skeleton…..call me crazy!! Hugs to your family as you move through this sad time.
Thank you Lynn. I do think I gave Eddie a good life. And yes, now he is with Max. I just hope Max isn’t harassing him too much. Thanks for the note about the fingers. Yes, it is definitely supportive bones. But that is kind of a mouthful.
So very sorry to read of Eddie’s passing.
Thank you Cloudy.
Sorry to hear about Eddie. I feel your pain I lost my Birman Chleo several years ago. On a lighter note I love the way you do the wings.
Thanks Ralph. Sorry to hear about your cat. Glad you like the wings. That is a necessary component for this project.
can’t wait to see the finished one!
Thanks Barbara. Me too!
I am so sorry for your loss Dan.Art is such a good distraction.
Thank you Mona. I know you’ve listened to me talk about Eddie’s illness. At least he is now at peace.
Ohh, so very sorry to hear about Eddie. I know that pain. While I don’t have cats, I do have rescue dogs and have lost several over the years – from a blind Buddy rescued from the Katrina floodwaters to a 16 yr. old Shih-tzu with dementia… it never gets easy. But making art always helps ease that pain somehow. We all look forward to watching upcoming videos. And maybe a new little kitty ; )
Best from New Orleans
Juliette
Thank you Juliette. Yes, all pet owners know this pain. I’m just glad he isn’t suffering any more. Thank you for your rescues. That is very good karma indeed.
So sorry about your loss
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you Sharon. I appreciate the note.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Eddie. His special appearances in your videos always made me smile.
Thank you Teresa.
Very sorry about your adorable kitty. So sad.
It is amazing how therapeutic art can be. It can get us through many hard times!
Take care.
Thinking of you.
Lori
Hey Lori. Thank you. I couldn’t agree more about the art. It really helps.
Hope all is well.
I’m so so sorry about your Eddie. It’s so sad losing a little loved one like that. But maybe keeping yourself busy does help. Your cat dragon seems to be coming along nicely. Can’t wait to see the end result. Keep up the good work 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. Glad you like the new project. Hope to post again soon.
I’m so sorry about Eddie. His special appearances in your videos always made me smile. Take care.
Thank you Teresa. He was a very special little cat.
Sorry to hear about Eddie!
Dragon-cat is looking good.
Thank you Lyman! Hope all is well.
Thank you Teresa. It is much appreciated.
We all love your work and your animals..because all of your hearts truly show in your work..
Darrell
Thank you Darrell. You are very kind.
Every animal loss is a sad one, and heart wrenching, hopefully your Dragon Cat will bring some memories to life
Thank you Kes!
I’m sorry to hear about Eddie, but I want to thank you for giving him an awesome, happy life! (All pets go to heaven. I don’t care what anybody says, ALL PETS GO TO HEAVEN.)
Thanks Norma. I sure hope Eddie goes somewhere that I can follow.
Oh Dan, I’m so sad to hear about beautiful Eddie. What a little star he was. Now he can join Max in the stars. I’m sure they’ll be watching the progress of your dragon-cat, which is looking great so far. Carol
Eddie was my star. I really miss him. Thank you Carol.
I feel with you. Best wishes. Hope to see Eddie and Max in heaven.
Thank you very much Beate! I really appreciate the sentiment.
Hello Dan,
Eddie follows Max in cat-heaven. I hope they are finding one another and looking to you on earth.
Beate
Thank you for the nice thoughts Beate. Much appreciated.
So sorry to hear about Eddie. He was so cute in your videos-he will be missed. The dragon cat is looking really good.
Thanks Jeanette. Yes, I miss Eddie terribly. But doing the art helps.
Dear Gourmet Paper Mache,
I am so sorry about your cat.
Thanks for keeping me posted about Paper Mache!
Sincerely,
Diane Stewart, NBCT
Kingston Middle School
Visual Arts/Ceramic/Read 180-Social Studies
“The artist is not a special kind of person; rather each person is a special kind of artist.” Ananda Coomaraswamy
https://www.facebook.com/StewartArtStudents16/
http://www.nkschools.org/Domain/783
Thank you Diane.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I had to put down my 17 yr old Cymrik today. Like Eddie, she was never quite the same after my African serval died. So I hopped on Facebook for some distraction and your trophy dragon popped up. Funny, I was just thinking last night I wanted to try paper mache again. And I love dragons. Made my day much better.
Thank you for adopting rescue cats. I do rescue, at the moment I have a foster momma kitty and her 5 adorable butterballs. She looks like the love child of a Abyssinian and a Maine Coon, except she is still small and growing. My 4 cats all insist on being a part of whatever I’m doing. Another reason I was thinking about paper mache because it’s pretty cat friendly.
I think a winged cat would be a nice tribute to my little diva. Really looking forward to watching it progress.
Do you ever give workshops? I’m down here in Oregon, just a train ride away..
Thank you for brightening up my day.
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Thank you for the nice remarks. Sorry to hear about your cat. Sounds like you have lots of other cats keeping you company. That helps. I don’t do workshops unless they are organized by someone else, like a school district. My fans are spread all over the world. Getting a critical mass in one place is very difficult. But that’s why I made my books and videos. The instructions are all out there. take care
Oh Dan, I’m so sorry. Eddie was such a cool little guy.
On a happier note, the cat dragon is looking good. The tail has a lot of personality, and I look forward to seeing what you do with the head.
Hey Stella. Thank you for the nice note. I have really been missing Eddie. Glad you like this new project. Unfortunately I got side tracked by a couple of other projects. I wish I was more linear in my thinking! Meanwhile…I’ve had a hard time commenting on your blog. I have a very complicated situation with Google identities I must straighten it out soon. Always love what you do.
I just happened on your video of the awesome cat outdoor enclosure, then found this. Amazing how they capture and hold our hearts and love. They are home with the One who loves them, running, playing and only live and happiness surrounds them every moment. They are such beautiful ones. I will look for your new babies to enjoy the safe outdoor enclosure. God bless you for rescuing.
Thank you. The new cats really love the enclosure. They go out day and night. Mazzy is out at the crack of dawn every morning. She hunts moths and brings them into the house to chase around. I appreciate the kind remarks. Take care
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. My heart breaks for you. I have dogs I dearly love and would be a train wreck if something happened to one of them. From what I’ve read, at least you’ve got a couple of more to spoil.
Thank you Chris. Yes, it was very tough having Eddie die, and Max. But time helps. And little Mazzy, the little “torty” we got, seems to understand. She was enamored with Eddie, and now she sleeps every place he used to like, including next to me at night. I still miss Eddie terribly, but she helps.
Hello, thanks a lot for sharing. Id like yo know How to make the cloth maché. Which kind if cloth And what kind if glue. Thanks a lot
Hello Alicia. I use old bed sheets that I buy at “second-hand” or thrift stores. I dip the cloth in white glue like Elmer’s. Good luck
Oh my, Dan, I’m so sorry :(…. poor Eddie. My thoughts are with you. Hugs!
Thank you Cernunnas. Yes, it was a very tough loss. He was a such a dear cat to me. But time helps ease the pain. Take care
Take care