Contemporary CATS in Sixties Inspired Pop Art

KITTY CAT KATZ
These cats were inspired by a three dimensional painting/sculpture I did some years ago where I had three cats trucking off to the left (similar to the cat on the left here) and then one cat with a little wavy tail who headed to the right.
That little wavy tailed cat going off in a different direction from everyone else is pretty much how I see myself, lol. Trust me not to follow the crowd - and to be the oddball with an attitude on top of it!
Kitty Cat Katz is available on a range of products, gifts, apparel and art prints at The PopArtDiva Gift Gallery so check it out! P.S. I also did each cat as an individual design just because I could! 
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CONTEMPORARY MOTORCYCLE ART

 MY NEWEST DESIGNPOP ARTMOTORCYCLE
I don't know why I never thought of doing a motorcycle before now but I am so jazzed over this design and so tickled with the way it came out!  It reminds me of Easy Rider, probably because of the stars on the gas tank.  I would love to have a bike painted like this! (Heck, I'd like to have my house painted like this!)

I wanted to do something that was very stylized that could cover the gamut of motorcycles out there.  I think the gas tank and the seat look like a chopper, the fenders look like dirt bikes and the headlight looks like it's off an old 50s James Dean style bike.
Now that I've done a motorcycle I want to do a car or two - first I'm thinking of redoing an old hippie bus, then maybe some kind of cool classic car.  I'll let it mull around in the back of my mind.
In the meantime, I'm really, really happy with this illustration and, of course, immediately put it up on products at The PopArtDiva Gift Gallery.  It's on everything from shirts to stationary to home decor to accessories! Take a look see:                        Tweet Follow me on Twitter Friend me on Facebook

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM POP ART DIVA

I want to THANK YOU ALL for supporting my small business stores and making this the best holiday ever for The PopArtDiva Gift Gallery, The Martini Diva Boutique as well as my other online stores.

A big THANK YOU as well for all of you who purchased my books, The Merry MartiniMixology Book and The Martini Diva's Halloween Martinis & Munchies Book.  Your orders have encouraged me to get on with the rest of my planned books and next up will be my VALENTINE MARTINIS & MUNCHIES BOOK coming in January, followed soon by two others that will be recipes for any and all occasions!

I will be taking a little bit of a break after the first of the year to rest up from all the holiday tweeting, friending, blogging, creating and martini testing that starts way before Halloween and ends only after New Year's Eve.  I'll still be enjoying all my Twitter tweeps and Facebook peeps and will still be blogging and cocktailing - just not at such a frantic pace!!

Thank you all so much for your friendship and the fun.

MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

May your Christmas Eve sparkle

with merry twinkling lights.

May you enjoy the Christmas spirit

and holiday delights.

May you sing your Christmas Carols

in voices sweet and bright.

May the joy of sharing Christmas

put the jolly in your night.

May you wake up Christmas Morning

with your stocking full of cheer.

May your house be filled with music

that is pleasant to the ear.

May you spend your day with loved ones

and those you hold most dear.

And may you keep the Christmas spirit

throughout the whole New Year.

"My Christmas Wish For You" ©2010 By PopArtDiva.Com. All Rights Reserved.

(Please feel free to share but PLEASE leave in my credit line. Thank you.)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

from

TERRI aka POP ART DIVA aka THE MARTINI DIVA

                                          

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12-21-2012: Finding Humor at the End of the World in Art

IF IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD

(as we know it or just the total end of the world)

I PLAN TO LAUGH UNTIL

THE FINAL HOUR!

A friend (you know who you are) talked me into doing some art for December 21st, 2012 aka 12-21-2012 aka The End of The Mayan Calendar aka Doomsday - or not.  I didn't think it was up my art alley until I started to add my typical tongue in cheek humor.

Since all the brouhaha is centered around the Mayan prophecy and the 13th Baktun which is, supposedly the last cycle of this world I decided to do my 2012 design with a Mayan Codex feel to it.

As for the prophecy itself, I won't go into detail but the long count calendar breaks down this way:

kin = day - 20 kins make a uinal, 18 uinals make a tun, 20 tuns is a katun and 20 katuns is a baktun

baktun = 144,000 days, 20 katun cycles

We are now in the 13th baktun which ends on 13.0.0.0.0 of the Mayan Calendar or on 12.21.2012 of the Roman Calendar.

So, ladies and germs, Take a Deep Breath, do a Long Count and Kiss Your Baktuns Goodbye,

BUT DO IT LAUGHING AT MY TAKE ON DOOMSDAY PROPHECIES:
(Click on any of the individual designs for art, gifts & gear!)

I plan on living my life to the fullest, drinking MARTINIS every night and soaking in all the happy I can!
Folks, if we only have one year left let's get all the joy, laughter and happiness out of it we can!!

Peace!

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NATIONAL COMIC BOOK DAY

Happy National Comic Book Day

It's amazing to me to see how the art of comic books has changed in the last century.  From the very earliest comic books first published in the United States in the early 1930s, which were simply reprints of comic strips from the newspaper, to today's incredible graphic novels, comic book art has a rich history of talented writers and artists and a huge library of subject matter.

True comic book aficionados will argue forever over dates, specific characters and story lines, but my interest lies simply in the beauty and changing character of the visuals.  Even today I can spend hours looking over the rich graphics, brilliant colors and elegant inking techniques, and I admit my own style of art was heavily influenced by the linear style of comic book lines and shading of the comic books of the late sixties. I'm also fascinated how the styles and story lines change with each decade or era, reflecting the culture and society of each respective age.

 Famous Funnies is considered the very first modern style comic book, published in 1934, though there were a few prototypes published as early as the middle 1800s (The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck in 1842) and the early 1900s ( The Yellow Kid in McFadden's Flats, 1897, the first known full-color comic (The Blackberries, 1901) where the term "comic book" was first coined.

There are  categories of comic books that most fans adhere to:  The Proto-comic books and the Platinum Age, Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Modern Age.  It is generally agreed that the first Superman Comic Book ushered in the Golden Age where comic books became the mainstream reading material of American youth.The Age before Superman was the Platinum Era and the Silver Age of Comic Books in the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s was the revival of the superhero to the pages of panels and word balloons.

The Holy Grail of Comic Books:
The very first Action Comics and the first appearance of Superman.

The Bronze and Modern (Iron) ages brought us Spiderman, Green Lantern, The Fantastic Four and the amazing talents of Stan Lee, among others.

Then in the mid 1980s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and DC Comics Watchmen ushered in the graphic novels of today's artistic style of comic books.

Though most people think of the Superheroes from the Golden Age and Silver Age of comics, the subject matter for these comic novels has spanned the gamut of romance, true stories, horror, comedy and even TV shows, movies and sports heroes:

Did you know that in 1955 there was even a Congressional hearing on comic books? Check it out: Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency. This came about as a result of a 1954 book by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham where he stated that comic books were a negative form of reading material and a serious cause of juvenile delinquency. This prompted the American Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency to investigate, resulting in the Comics Code Authority. Parents could then monitor their children's comic book reading by looking for this seal on the cover:

Check out some of these great comic books from past and present: on Art, Gifts & Gear:

DC COMICS
BATMAN
SUPERMAN
GREEN LANTERN
SPIDERMAN
WOLVERINE
WONDER WOMAN

Remember these?

DC COMICS which included Supreman, Batman, The Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Supergirl and the Justice League (remember the Green Arrow, Flash & Aquaman?)
MARVEL COMICS was the home of Spiderman, Wolverine, The Green Goblin, Elektra, The Hulk, Quicksilver, and Hellcat

Read more on the History of Comic Books at Wikipedia.

Holy Zap Pow Bam!

Have a SUPER day!

                                          

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9-11 NEVER FORGET BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER

 
On the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 our country looks back at the most horrific event in our history. We have been at war, we have suffered economic depressions and catastrophic natural events, we have seen beloved leaders assassinated and we have even been attacked on our own soil before at Pearl Harbor*; however, never have we experienced such a devastating, world shaking event as that unprovoked attack on non-military American citizens simply going about their daily lives in their home territory.

America and Americans have never been the same since, something in us crumbled to the ground with the Twin Towers, Flight 93 and parts of the Pentagon. In the ten years since the events of 9-11 we have entered into times of fear for our personal safety, fear for our economic security and fear for our future.

Fear breeds mistrust, mistrust breeds war and we are a now country at war with itself.  Politicians, pundits and self proclaimed experts fill our news with their opposing views, friends and family argue, heated debates ensue and find no common ground on any issue.  There is no value in being right, there is no safety in division and there is no profit in winning the debate if the war is lost.

We are at a crossroads in our nation and it is time for all sides to compromise.  Our leaders must put their silly tea party dishes away, pundits should shove their egos in a dark closet, politicians and citizens alike must stop making speeches and start working together.  It is time to remember who we are.

We, the people, are all Americans and we are the heart of our nation. No politician can vote our heart away without our permission. No enemy can take our heart unless we give it up. We cannot lose our heart if we stand up to the fear.

In this time of remembrance, in this time of great trial, we must look into our heart and draw from it the courage to go on, the forgiveness to move on, the hope to recover, the compassion to care, and the resolve to be vigilant Americans.

May our memories of 9/11 serve to unite and mend our country. May we take our resolve and wield it to bring prosperity and peace.

Never Forget but Always Remember.

*At the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was not a state but it was a U.S. Territory.


                                          

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The Halloween Martinis & Munchies Book is For Sale!

Wondering How to Put the Boo in Your Booze this Halloween?
Need Some Frightfully Fabulous Finger Foods for Your Party?

Got You Covered in My Newest Cocktail Book:

The Martini Diva's

HALLOWEEN MARTINIS
& MUNCHIES BOOK

CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PREVIEW

The new cocktail book from The Martini Diva, "The HALLOWEEN MARTINIS & MUNCHIES Book" is a spooktacular, full color happy hour experience with 31 Halloween themed martini recipes, appetizers & trivia.

It's a Halloween Happy Hour of Monstrously Marvelous Martinis and Munchies in the Spooky Spirit of Creepy Cocktail Creativity that will put the ghouls in your glass and the spook in your spirits, accompanied by Halloween themed party recipes, trivia and limericks to entertain until the stroke of midnight - or later.

Full color throughout, it's over 70 pages of martinis, munchies and mad mayhem in the true spirit of All Hallows' Eve. Garnished with ghoulish goodies, shaken up with mysterious mixology and served up with a dash of frightful frivolity by The Martini Diva, The Halloween Martini Book is a spook-tacular party guide to a spirit filled Halloween.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ON AMAZON
CLICK HERE TO ORDER ON CREATESPACE

WHOLESALE ORDERS WELCOME!

Please Contact Me for Pricing and Details

All images and content on this post are protected by copyright. No permission is given to copy, distribute, share, post, print without written permission from PopArtDiva.Com

                                          

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HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY to LUCILLE BALL - I LOVE LUCY!

Image ©2006 by PopArtDiva.Com. All Rights Reserved.

No permission given to copy, post, share, distribute, e-mail, print without written permission

Today would have been the 100th birthday of Lucille Ball and the web is celebrating in true "I Love Lucy" style.  Google has created one of their wonderful Google Doodles in her honor which is a cute vintage television that plays an "I Love Lucy" clip.

I grew up watching the original broadcasts of "I Love Lucy", then continued to watch Lucille Ball's other television shows as well:  The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy. Best known for her television roles, Ms. Ball was also in quite a few films and, before the bright red hair and cartoon red lips of her Lucy character, she was quite a beautiful woman. She was often referred to as "The Queen of the B's" as in B films then, later, as The First Lady of Television.

The only movie I remember her in, however, is one she did with her first husband and co-star of "I Love Lucy", Desi Arnaz, called "The Long, Long Trailer".  I suppose that one stuck in my mind because I traveled the United States for over 13 years in a motorhome and could relate to the issues of living on wheels.  The film was directed by Vincent Minelli (father of Liza Minelli)

If you love Lucy and ever get a chance to watch, check it out.

As for "I Love Lucy", I have to say my favorite episode will always be the Vitametavegamine episode:

Happy Birthday, Lucy and thanks for all the laughs!

                                          

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Aces & Eights and The Death of Wild Bill Hickok

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ACES & EIGHTS

WHY IT'S CALLED THE DEAD MAN'S HAND

One hundred and thirty five (135) Years ago today James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was shot dead by a vengeful Jack McCall in the Old West town of Deadwood in the Dakota Territory.  Wild Bill was playing poker at Nuttall and Mann/Saloon No. 10 when McCall murdered him by a shot to the back of the head.  Hickok was reported to have been holding Aces and Eights at the time of his demise - all from spades and clubs:

Fans of Wild Bill can get my fun

WILD BILL - ACES & EIGHTS POP ART

on Cups & Shirts:

 

or
FINE ART GICLEES ON CANVAS:

RIP Bill - Hope you're dealt luckier hands in that big gambling house in the sky.

Cowboy Facts for NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWBOY

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Contact PopArtDiva.Com for licensing information.

HAPPY NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWBOY

Hunker down while I share some Cowboy Facts & Trail Trivia

• The word "cowboy" comes from the Spanish term "vaquero" - vaca/cow and ranchero/rancher.
• The term "cowpoke" was used for the person who prodded cattle with long poles to load them onto railroad cars for shipping
• Cowboys called their saddle horn an "apple"
• Most cowboy deaths were caused from horse-related accidents, not gunfights or other violence
• Cattle were branded on the left hip
• Most working trail cowboys were between 20 and 25 years old, sometimes learning on the job from age 12.
• A cattle herd could travel between 10 and 12 miles per day
• Cowboys used empty flour sacks for towels while on the trail
• Cowboys stayed downwind of the chuck wagon to prevent dirt and dust getting in their food
• Standard trail fare was sour dough biscuits, white gravy, beans, sow belly and coffee with an occasional taste of fresh meat when available
• There were women - cowgirls - in the Old West but they only came to prominence in the male dominated cowboy society thanks to the Wild West Shows
• The barbed wire fence was introduced in 1874 and it's use effectively ended the open range
• The real cowboy era lasted from 1866 to 1886, starting with the building of packing plants and ending with the closing of the open range and the massive die off of cattle during the harsh winter of 1886/1887

Happy Trails, Buckaroos!

                                          

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