making flopsy

Flopsy loves to play fetch with paper balls, and she flies up in there like an acrobat. She's shy, and also a lovebug. She's playful, and funny, and a bit of a klutz. Of all her fantastic traits, I love her spot the most.

Flopsy belongs to my boyfriend's Dad and Step Mom ~ Tim and Ellen. Like her sister Veronica, Flopsy is one very loved kitty.

Finding inspiration for Flopsy and Veronica was easy. Tim is an extraordinary photographer ~ his technical skills are so fine, but his eye for a shot makes for a great scene in every photo. I had dozens of feline photos to choose from on Tim's website (we all balance our crazy cat personas by having other interests ~ Tim takes exceptional landscapes photos, and really great portraits).

Flopsy ~ Copyright TWPowell

I love the way people love their pets. Tim and Ellen love their pets. They are the kind of people I want to make pet portraits for.

Flopsy paper pattern. I did not capture the fabric pieces.

I cut the pattern for Flopsy and Veronica at the same time. Veronica, the vogue tiger kitty of the sisterly duo, caught my eye immediately. I wanted to capture her variegated fur, and play with
pointillism to abstract her stripes and spots. I began embroidery for Veronica immediately. After several weeks, Veronica (my muse at the time), had come to life...and I was ready for a break. More on the making of Veronica later.

When I picked up Flopsy's fabric pieces, something struck me.

Flopsy's spot begins at the right tip of the nose, down to the lip and cheek.

Unlike Veronica, Flopsy's smooth and simple coat allowed the pattern pieces to speak to her character sooner. Embroidery details were clearer because they were not buried in other details. I loved the little tufts of fur around the bridge of her nose, and the whispy long hairs above her eyes. Felt Flopsy's eyes were sharp in color, but soft in nature, much like Flopsy's eyes in real life.

Clockwise: Veronica, Flopsy, Duncan, Milo
Center: Yuma

Christmas and Hanukkah, 2012 ~
The group above is from the 2012 holiday season. Of these 5 creatures created in tandem, Flopsy was the last to be started and completed. She instantly became my favorite. It's not often that I am inclined to pet and snuggle with my pet portraits like a crazy person...but Flopsy stole my heart.

One of the reasons I love the group shot is the representation of varied stylistic approaches. Veronica is refined and detailed; deliberate and precise patterned stitches compose her markings. Milo and Duncan were stitched expressively; I made up braided stitches and weaves as I went, creating expressionist stripes. Hugo was fun and impulsive, much like his outdoorsy, survivalist hunter-type personality.

Flopsy was soft and approachable, realistic and playful; just like Flopsy herself.

Flopsy ~ January 2013 Prosodia Lab

Cheers, Flopsy!