While we often see dogs in art, one very seldom finds a cat. Painted many, many years ago - but preserved forever ...
I love this painting:
Francois Boucher, La Toilette (A Lady Fastening Her Garter). 1742, oil on canvas.
Fundacion Coleccion Thyssen-Bornemisza.(click for larger)
via
Feathers can be colorful and spectacular in their own right, but how much more stunning might they be when used as canvases for artists, eager to demonstrate their talent for the unusual?

Alaskan-born and -bred artist Julie Thompson is an astounding exponent of this incredible art form. Julie, a self-taught wildlife artist for nearly 20 years, strives to make every feather painting as unique as the feathers themselves are, and believes that every feather has a kind of personality relating to the painting it bears.
Sourcevia
Presurfer

Photo credit:
Tim Flach . . . the best dog photos I've seen in a long time.

These tiny little bunnies (2.5" and 2.25") are knit from hand spun grey angora yarn so they have real bunny fur but won't hop away!
They are stuffed with clean wool and have embroidered wool felt ears. Completely handmade,this sweet set is so soft and fluffy. They would make a wonderful gift for the child, spinner or bunny lover on your list. These are traditional Waldorf style bunnies made completely of natural fibers, great for a nature table or doll play.
At Etsy by
fairiesnest.

entirely handmade from vintage angora sweaters filled with lambswool love (and a lucky penny in the belly for even MORE luck)
approx 7 inches in height
bendy legs
snaps on paws so he can sit in this thinking pose
each comes with signed tag by the artist
at etsy by
Makeitawesome
Taken by an anonymous American photographer in the 1850's, and titled "Poodle With Bow, On Table," this daguerreotype was sold at a
Sotheby's auction for $8,125.

This might possibly be one of the first "Pet Photos" ever taken.

Glass blown, floor standing lights combining the skills of the glassworker and the playfulness of clowns and children’s entertainers. If only glass were as pliable as balloons!
Supplied on a silver finished steel stand in frosted and clear glass.
Available at
Thelermont Hupton(via
Cool Hunting)
Whimsical, and joyful - I'd love to have any one of this artist's works, or ALL of them!



See many more of Agapov Vladimir's paintings at
Art Russia
2 great posters by Jon Bertelli
Curiosity
PatienceBoth available at
All Posters

Late French designer Yves Saint Laurent's two bronze sculptures went up for auction at Christie's last week. The highest bidder has been revealed: Cai Mingchao.
But Cai, who bid nearly $40 million by phone last week, has no intention of paying.
Cai is a member of China's Lost Cultural Relics Foundation, a group trying to stop the auction and reclaim the two relics, which were once housed in Beijing's Old Summer Palace.
The Chinese say the
bronze rat and rabbit heads were stolen during the second Opium War in 1860 when British and French troops looted and then burned down the imperial palace.
Source

Designed by artist
Eiko IshizawaI don't think it's for sale, you'll have to make your own.
(via
Blame it on the voices)

The photo above is a Jenny Haniver.
That's not the name of a person, it's the carcass of a ray or a skate which has been modified and subsequently dried, resulting in a grotesque preserved specimen. [
wiki]
One suggestion for the origin of the term was "jeune d'Anvers" (French for Antwerp is Anvers), that is "young girl of Antwerp." British sailors "cockneyed" this description into the personal name "Jenny Hanvers."
For centuries, sailors sat on the Antwerp docks and carved these "mermaids" out of dried cuttlefish. They then preserved them further with a coat of varnish. They supported themselves by selling their artistic creations to working sailors as well as to tourists visiting the docks.
Jenny Hanivers have been created to look like devils, angels and dragons.
It is possible that Jenny Hanivers were the source of some tales of dragons during the Middle Ages, and they affirmed people's belief in dragons. Jenny Hanivers may also have started the legends of Mermaids.
(via
Cynical-C)
At
Susology, the story of an artist currently creating Jenny Hanivers.
Photo credit:
Awkward Conversations post on "Rogue Taxidermy: The Jenny Haniver".

duetto per archi, 2006
(duo for stringed instruments, 2006)
More at
website

Despite the grim economic environment, the art market let out a collective sigh of relief Feb. 23 as Christie's in Paris successfully auctioned $266.7 million worth of Impressionist and modern artworks collected by the late designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge. The sale of nearly 700 works, estimated to bring in up to $425 million, continues through Wednesday.
A German Silver-Gilt Cup Formed as a Hunting Bear
Maker's mark of Leonhard Umbach
Augsburg, 1585-1590
Height: 6 7/8 in.; Weight: 13.70 oz.
Estimate: €80,000 to €120,000 (approx. $103,000 - $155,000)

Francois Pompon (1855-1933)
Boston Terrier or 'Toy'
Model created in 1930, cast circa 1965-1970
Black patinated bronze
Portrays Madame Georges Menier's dog, 'Toy'
11 3/4 in. x 13 1/4 in. x 5 7/8 in.
Estimate: €15,000 to €20,000 (approx. $19,000 - $26,000)
Source
When attempting to describe Gary Parker’s unique brand of photography forget words.
Begin with this: picture what an exuberant 8 year old boy might do with a camera if he had 25 years of experience winning awards in advertising and photojournalism, could light anything and could read the minds of dogs and go figure, EVEN CATS!
Gary is so busy taking photographs, he actually needs 2 websites to show them
all off.
At
Gary Parker's Cat/Dog Photography, I found this wonderful photo:
But Gary Parker Photography, which seems to be his main site, is also crammed full of pet photography, like this:

Doesn't this look like FUN?
Gary Parker Photography also showcases Gary's pro bono work with Little People of America (LPA). His photos encompass the #1 dwarfism photography website in the world, a site which has positively impacted the lives of many Little People families worldwide, as well as many of average stature who have found the portraits a source of inspiration, education and delight.
Look:
Please note:
All photographs are the exclusive property of Parker Photographic productions, Inc. – and are protected by US international copyright laws. These photos may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, stored, manipulated, projected or used in any way without the expressed permission of Gary Parker. If you wish to use any of these photographs please contact ary@garyparker.com.
Gary Parker is currently creating Gary Parker's "Lunatic Light Workshops,"a series of workshops on various photographic topics including lighting, photoshop techniques, backyard photography, and the art of photographing your pets.

This is "Big Big Cat Starred At Me", more at
Artfingers