Krazy Kat: the oddest love story in comics, part 2
Krazy Kat was off and running, and it began to be noticed by reviewers and other artists. The public remained lukewarm, preferring more conventional strips and animation. Magazine editor and cultural critic Gilbert Seldes was among the first to call Krazy Kat art. In his…
Krazy Kat: the oddest love story in comics, part 1
One of the oddest relationships in comics has to be Krazy Kat and Ignatz. Illustrator George Herriman’s tragic and long-running tale of unrequited love between a black cat and a white mouse began in 1910 and lasted for almost three and a half decades, not…
In urgent need of love and assistance – the Five of Pentacles and cat rescue.
Our Five of Pentacles is a reminder of cats in need, and why cat rescue makes a huge difference. The Five of Pentacles is one of those cards that many people dread coming up in a reading. It speaks of deprivation, hardship, poverty and need.…
A feline journey: From little gods to “evil” cats
Cats initially were regarded as little household gods and goddesses, something to be revered and respected. Ancient Egypt had feline gods, while in Ancient Rome, cats were sacred to Diana and highly regarded for keeping pests at bay. But by the Middle Ages the idea…
The Knight of Cups seeks destiny in a mysterious quest
Our Knight of Cups rides out on a quest for inspiration and creativity The Knight of Cups is one our our favourite tarot cards to design – he (or she) is such a romantic, creative and fanciful character. So envisioning the Knight of Cups card…
Felix The Cat: The first cartoon And TV Star
Felix was not only the first animated cat, but also the first to be broadcast on TV. Animated cats became popular on the big screen with Felix the Cat, the back-and-white feline who to this day can be found on clocks and all sorts of…
Japan’s supernatural cats: watch out for the evil bakeneko
The land of Hello Kitty is home to a bevy of cats that can transform into human shape. Do you know about Japan’s supernatural cats? Everyone is aware of werewolves and vampire bats, but evil supernatural cats seem rare. Except in Japan. That island nation has two…
The snarling Knight of Swords makes a scary attack!
The Knight of Swords is the most aggressive of the Tarot Courts. All the Knights of Tarot are, in their own way, dramatic figures. But only the Knight of Swords also has the power to scare. Traditionally, this card is about someone who is clever…
Classic flip book Millions of Cats is now public domain
One of the most influential kids’ books has been in print for almost a century. While headlines worldwide have proclaimed that the early version of Mickey Mouse has entered the public domain, another work has sailed a bit under the radar. The 1928 illustrated children’s…
Our Knight of Wands seizes the spotlight in a diorama.
Lights, theatre, action! A diorama brings our dashing Knight of Wands to life. We’re working on the Knight of Wands, the Knight of Cups and the Knight of Swords now. As you may remember, the much more cautious Knight of Pentacles is already completed. As…
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain: a film review
A film shines light on the life of an overlooked and troubled artist. In the modern era, amusing pictures of dressed up cats engaging in typical human activities had their start with Victorian artist Louis Wain. His rather troubled life is outlined in The Electrical…
The Fool – how to depict a free and feckless feline?
The Fool is one of those cards that everyone has an opinion about. In the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) Tarot, he is shown as someone smiling blithely as he steps off a cliff. He (or indeed, she) is reckless, in some ways thoughtless, and yet…
A remarkable animal illustrator, now sadly forgotten
As with almost all genres of art, the contributions of women have usually been overshadowed by their male colleagues. One woman who produced wonderfully stylish dressed-up cats – and other animals – in humorous scenes is Austrian writer and animal illustrator Käthe Olshausen-Schönberger. She is…
The amazing history of Puss in Boots, beloved for centuries.
When it comes to cats donning costumes, one feline–the splendid Puss in Boots –stands head and front paws above the rest. The birth of printing in the mid 15th century meant that illustrated stories became easily available to the average person, and fairytales very soon…
Slow but sure on his hobbyhorse. The cautious Knight.
Some people find the Knight of Pentacles (or Knight of Coins as he was known prior to the Rider Waite Smith “RWS” system of Tarot) slightly boring. Compared to the dynamic Knights of the other three tarot suits, he can certainly seem less exciting. However, we…
Mainzer dressed cats began as whimsical but odd postcards
Cats dressed up and behaving like people have long been on the fringes of pop culture. In the 1940s and ’50s, Mainzer Dressed Cat postcards hit the scene, showing felines in then-contemporary costumes riotously pursuing leisure activities from sports to watching movies, or simply having…
The Bohemian Cats’ Theatre project – new beginnings
The original Baroque Bohemian Cats’ Tarot and the Bohemian Cats picture book date all the way back to 2003/4 and has been through several versions since. We’ve always loved living with cats and it came naturally to us to build to make an entire fantasy…
