Where Is That Cat? Freestyle Collage for LMAC
It's summer time.
From Porgy and Bess
That song has always said to me, Relax. Years ago it was one of the few songs I could capture on my clarinet and I'm sure I tortured my neighbors by playing it slowly and repeatedly.
My clarinet is gone, along with my ability to play it, but I can still summon the mood. That's how this excursion into fantasy came about.
It began with a tree and a cat.
Tree
Cat
I borrowed a face to give the cat that Alice-in-Wonderland Cheshire look
Worked on the cat (a lot!), placed the cat in a tree and put a cigar in its mouth.
After that, I started adding images that represented different legends, myths, fairy tales. Those are identified below:
- Thor (Norse Mythology)
- Genie and Lamp
Aladdin Believed to be from The Book of One Thousand and One Nights
- Goblin
- Fairy
- Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland)
- Cheshire Cat -- My rough rendition (Alice in Wonderland)
- Poseidon (Greek mythology)
- Sprites (From @justclickindiva)
- Phoenix (Mythology of many cultures, including Greek, Egyptian and Persian)
The contributors of these images are credited here. The last three were borrowed from the LMAC Image Library, LIL.
Cigar
https://pixabay.com/es/photos/hombre-cigarro-negro-blanco-4604070/
Cheshire Face
https://unsplash.com/photos/blue-and-white-owl-house-under-blue-sky-QgRDLnPaYgc
Mad Hatter
https://pixabay.com/es/vectors/sombrerero-loco-28758/
Aladdin's Lamp
https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/alfombra-voladora-l%C3%A1mpara-septure-4010500/
Genie
https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/genio-aladin-caja-de-cart%C3%B3n-aladino-2590056/
Fairy
https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/ai-generado-gnomo-champi%C3%B1%C3%B3n-hada-8618566/
Gnome
https://pixabay.com/es/photos/duende-estatua-gnomo-roca-372818/
Poseidon
https://pixabay.com/es/photos/poseid%C3%B3n-oceano-mar-mitolog%C3%ADa-1190564/
Phoenix
https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/phoenix-p%C3%A1jaro-fuego-fuego-rojo-1440452/
Thor
https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/thor-personaje-superh%C3%A9roe-masculino-5858835/
Rock (Upon which Thor is sitting)
https://www.lmac.gallery/lil-gallery-image/6173
@muelli
Sprites/Fractals
https://www.lmac.gallery/lil-gallery-image/6673
@justclickindiva
Cat
https://www.lmac.gallery/lil-gallery-image/7633
@yaziris
The picture of the tree came from my own collection of photos--it was taken at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, NY.
Process
The disappearing cat was an afterthought. It didn't seem right, having the cat just sit there. We all know the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland disappeared. Making the cat disappear and reappear took some doing :) I used the blend filter in GIMP to get the disappearing effect down pat. It took many tries. One try had the cat taking so long to disappear that you could have a cup of coffee between appearances.
We are a welcoming community. Come with your imagination and enthusiasm. Everyone who creates an original collage, with some effort, will be curated. Rules for participating are simple, but can be found in this announcement of an earlier contest (most important rule--only use in your collage your own images or images from our White list).
While the LMAC contest is on summer break now, the community is 'open'. We are gladly receiving freestyle collages. Check out our community page and have a look at the wonderful freestyle collages we have curated this summer.
I hope my fantasy collage amused you. Making it entertained me. It was fun.
Thank you for reading my blog. Peace and health to all. Hive on!
I love how that song inspired you to do this
This image is very lovely
It’s a good one
A delight to behold and certainly amusing to all but the dourest of men. And may I say that the disappearing cat was well worth the investment of your time:)
Thank you :)) I did have to get that cat down. Once I set a goal I can't back away. Stubborn 😄
Quite wonderful...
The Cheshire cat was always a mad and thoughtful character.
That's one of the hardest and if done well the most beautiful character to create ✨
Indeed my best character in the wonderland story🔥
Thank you, @seki1. Having the cat disappear took precedence over other parts of the collage. I'm not sure that's art, but it is fun😇
What a beautiful and calming song. I've always loved Porgy and Bess. I feel you captured the vibe of the song with the disappearing cat. I know you stated it took quite an effort to get it come back in a timely manner. That's the way it goes sometimes when blending the elements. Some want to cooperate, while others just seem to give you a headache. But they work so well with the theme you just keep after it.
The fractal used as a spite is believable, as are the other images to represents different themed period in history. What I like the best is the clear background with jut the water and its reflection. Nicely done.
Thanks for sharing and take care.
Thank you for that kind comment. As I mentioned in the post, I have been in love with this song since I was an adolescent. I am not alone in this. It has had so many renditions over the years. I found this one in clarinet. In my imagination, that's how I sounded when I played as junior high school student. I did it on my own, by ear. Teacher never knew I freelanced like that. I actually did not like him and refused to play in class at all. It's amazing I wasn't kicked out :))
When I made the collage I was looking for something whimsical, and to me your fractal looked like sprites. I think they worked beautifully. Thank you for them.
Hope you are having a wonderful summer. As always, your comment is gracious and generous.
Absolutely the best thing in summer is to lie down by the sea and feel the cool air because the temperature inside the city is very hot.
:)
A lovely story told in a creative way. I really liked the Cat's face as denoting mischief. Have a happy week, dear @agmoore!
Thank you, @esthersanchez! I think the cigar was my way of saying 'silly'. I appreciate the visit. Have a peaceful day.
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For sure your fantasy collage amused me, as you have placed all the pictures perfectly. wonderful.
Thank you, @itwithsm. There has to be a place for fantasy in our lives, doesn't there?
I think the cat went to buy another pack of cigarettes 😁
Your collage tells me that there's always that special "summertime" where all things just are, all of them can be there minding their own business without hurting you or hurting others. Or perhaps it's just me trying to find a vestige of hope in everything I see since last Sunday (...) The Cheshire Cat got my attention because "We're all mad here..."--Carroll's Alice books are in my top 50 (perhaps in my top 10).
Oh, and "Summertime"... What a beautiful song; it has the right measure of beauty and tenderness that makes your heart be almost nostalgic. It's perfect for your collage of fantasies. I also loved the intrumental version you posted in the comments. Seems like I have another song to add to my list of favorites.
Hugs, friend. Please, buy a new clarinet.
My mind has been with you and others I know were affected. 🌷♥️
I'm so glad you like 'my song'. Ever since I wrote this I've been listening to clarinet performances on YouTube. I think it's the most beautiful sound. This is the best argument for giving children a chance to play an instrument. Doesn't matter how well they play. A world opens up for them.
Maybe a I will buy that clarinet :))
Thanks very much for your visit and your comment. Wishing you peace and hope.
Hugs my friend, @marlyncabrera