Election 2012

Therapy Pets

There are numerous studies and examples that prove therapy pets are truly healing and magical for the human psyche. Back in March of this year, NPR had a piece on the subject and I have come across story after story after story, proving that even cats make great healers.

This past weekend I attended a handlers' workshop necessary for taking the steps to be registered as a Pet Partners Therapy Team with my cat, Tao. I traveled two hours north to Long Beach for an all day workshop that included practice visits using stuffed toys and videos of dog calming signals. It was really enjoyable and I learned quite a bit. Next step is evaluation of myself and Tao in a series of activities. I have unlimited time to continue training him before we have to test and I want our efforts to be successful.

So far Tao has learned to walk (decently) on a leash, knows "No" when it comes to leaving things alone (even yummy food), high-5, handshake, sit (often confused with lie down - but it's an acceptable start), riding in a basket on my bike and playing fetch. Oh, and talking. Words that only he understands, but this cat has a full repertoire.

I've been rather distracted from creating my own "HiddenInspiration" piece this week with the adventures of training my cat and also getting a severe pinched nerve on my right shoulder and neck... lol, that's what I get for suddenly riding a bike 4 days in row. Exercise is dangerous. ;)

Here's my fella, Tao the Amazing Cat, on one of the hottest days in San Diego. My upstairs apartment doesn't have air-conditioning (as most older homes in SD do not) and it must have reached at least 100ºF inside. To keep Tao and myself from melting, we wore wet handkerchiefs around our necks and I have to admit that Tao was looking pretty dapper in his.

imPOSSIBLE

Rough sketch of "imPOSSIBLE" hand-drawn type. Still figuring out how to be at least half as awesome as the talented Jessica Hische. practice. practice. practice.

Lucky Black Kat

Many cultures actually welcome

a black cat as a sign of "Good Luck".

 Here's my Lucky Kat to help turn-around

Americans' negative views of this fine feline.

According to a post in Wikepedia,

there's a famous black cat I need to read up on:

"The character Behemoth in "The Master and Margarita", an enormous black cat (said to be as large as a hog), capable of standing on two legs and talking, and has a penchant for chess, vodka and pistols."

MEOW!

{{ HiddenInspiration #4 }}

Random photos, random creations.

{{ HiddenInspiration #4 }} by Christina Conway (me)

Chose to try this one again as the one before I wasn't really "feeling".

{{ HiddenInspiration #3 }}

Random photos, random creations. 

{{ HiddenInspiration #3 }} by Christina Conway (me)

{{ HiddenInspiration #2 }}

Random photos, random creations. 

{{ HiddenInspiration #2 }} by Christina Conway (me)

{{ HiddenInspiration #1 }} can be seen in previous post, "Catch Up".

Catch Up & {{ HiddenInspiration #1 }}

Welcome Back!
Has it really been almost a year since I last posted? Despite this time-lapse, I haven't disappeared completely. I have found distracting avenues for posting life's chapters of interesting moments (Facebook) and collecting items of interest (Pinterest). Even my updates of great places to find new music has been befuddled with the introduction of a popular music application (Spotify).

Let's catch up:

• The day after Christmas I started fostering a 5 month old rescue cat (third cat down) that started fetching my hand-crocheted mice and I fell completely head over heals for. We're in the process of getting us both certified to be therapy Pet Partners. I'm hoping to eventually take him to hospitals and convalescent homes, bringing the healing power of fuzzy cuddles and purrrs to everyone he meets. He's learned "high-5", "sit", "shake", "lie down" and walks on a leash. Yes, he's that awesome.  AND... I'm probably THAT Crazy Cat Lady. :)

15 year-old Ashley

8 year-old Baxter

1 year-old Tao - The little dude that is training to be a therapy pet.

• More of my logo design and pattern work has been available in stores via International Arrivals, a client I've had for almost 5 years now. Always fun to see my projects in cute shops around the country. 

• I was recently contacted by Pottery Barn Kids for freelance work and had a chance to visit San Francisco, which I am now completely smitten with this creative city.

• And now I'm back to posting on my blog again for an experiment in inspiration and discipline. I'm calling this project "{{ HiddenInspirations }}", I plan to expand my creativity by randomly picking photos/art/design images and creating repeat patterns, logos, characters, etc. based on the chosen "inspiration". Basically I'm forcing myself to create SOMETHING, ANYTHING based on seeing a photo and putting pencil to paper/ Wacom pen to tablet. My first design is below, the pattern was created after playing around with a shape I found in the photo (shown directly below design). My plan is to create designs based on this structure, at least once a week. Would love to have you follow along and give your feedback and even see your own creations!

{{ HiddenInspiration #1 }} by Christina Conway (me)