Art Rat: Chronicles of The Rodent Artist™

The Affirmative Answer to "Can Rats Create Art?"

Perhaps the Next Rodin Rodent? What say thee?

Friday, March 30, 2007

Speaking of the ART RAT Book...

I just heard from my publisher today that the first printing of ART RAT: The Rodent Artist book was shipped to me today. I shall expect several cartons of paperback books by Federal Express tomorrow morning followed by a mid-afternoon "publishing" party with my closest supporting friends and family, and of course, the ARTIST RAT himself!

At this time I'm also working with my left-brained Web developer to make a free excerpt of the ART RAT book available for download from the ART RAT Web site, as well as a installing a simple shopping cart system for animal art connoisseur's to buy prints of several of ART RAT'S watercolor paintings. Please stay tuned for these items which will be available soon.

Posted by Chris Dunmire at 6:15 PM

"Moonlight from the Dump"

The day Chewy created this watercolor painting, "Moonlight from the Dump", was right after a glorious full moon the night before. I distinctly remember the evening because when I looked out my window the moon was breathtakingly huge an luminescent (I believe it was near Easter, too).

I didn't want the chance for "illuminating inspiration" to slip on by for either me or Chewy, so I brought him out of his aquarium room and let him sit on the windowsill beside me. He sat there gazing with his cute little button nose straight at the moon as if it was a scene he already knew, gestalt imagery embedded within his subconsciousness, a primitive knowing of some kind.

And then it occurred to me... Chewy's ancestors going back litters and generations undoubtedly survived in the wild, depending on their intrinsic animal instincts for food and shelter. At night as they lay in their rats nests, they witnessed umpteen seasons and lunar cycles. The breathtaking sights of full moons were embedded in their DNA. Chewy's DNA. I immediately understood his fixation.

I know it sounds like I'm loopy making all of this up. But all you have to do is entertain the notion of "What if?" and suddenly the whole world with its surrounding celestial bodies have the infinite capacity to affect even the smallest of creatures with their gloriousness.

Posted by Chris Dunmire at 7:47 AM

Watercolor Painting: "Ecstasy of Cheese"

While it's true that I've actually titled this painting ("Ecstasy of Cheese") for ART RAT, there's no reason why I can't intuitively presume to understand the important elements (such as food) in a rat's life and fall into the rat's consciousness and choose an appropriate symbolic name based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs pyramid.

Besides, it's much easier to refer to the creative works by name than with a number or devalued generic term such as "Painting number two."

I've written extensively in my book about the creative process I observed ART RAT using while he created this piece but I thought it important to show some examples of what a creatively-nurtured vermin might do when encouraged to put paint to paper.

After ART RAT created this piece, he was aptly rewarded with a piece of cheddar before taking his afternoon nap.

Posted by Chris Dunmire at 6:02 PM

Healthy Art Studios and Materials for Animals

The first rule of order when facilitating creative expression in animals is to DO NO HARM. Which is why taking good care of your pets, providing clean materials for them to work with, a well-ventilated area to work in, thoroughly cleansing (bathing, if necessary) them after each art session, taking them for walks to get plenty of fresh air, and allowing them to rest and play are top priorities. As an animal creativity coach and pet caretaker, I'm a strong advocate of such practices and take issues of creative animal health care seriously.

On the subject of clean materials and working environments, this Web resource on Making Art Studios Less Toxic for you and your pet is timely and pertinent. Of special note is the first bulleted item under the heading "Artists at Special Risk":

Artists frequently get little or no training in the hazards of their materials and processes. As a result, artists are often unaware that the materials they use contain toxic ingredients, including those that are not permitted in other types of consumer products. For instance, lead has been banned from wall paint but is still used in artist paints and inks. In order to protect themselves, artists first have to realize that there are dangers.

I would never consider using anything toxic with Chewy when he is in his creative sessions. In fact, I think all artist-pet caretakers should approach art-making with their pets as they would with their own children and choose either all-natural materials or non-toxic materials. However, doing the preceding should also include doing research on what substances your pet might have allergies or adverse reactions to.

For instance, you might think chocolate is a safe natural product that can be used in your pet's art projects, but chocolate is not safe for cats and other domestic animals because it contains certain chemicals that can be deadly to them. Similarly, other foods, plants, and substances might be harmful to your artist pet, so be sure to thoroughly research all substances and art materials before use.

The bottom line on maintaining a healthy art studio for you and your pet, and using non-toxic art materials cannot be understated. After all, a healthy pet is a happy artist.

Posted by Chris Dunmire at 7:54 AM

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Watercolor Painting: "A Friend I Used to Know"

Perhaps one of the most difficult processes an animal must go through is the grieving process.

Like humans, when a pet loses a friend there is a deep sense of loss followed by specific stages we refer to as the grieving process. According to the Kübler-Ross model, the five stages of grief for humans are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

It is my theory that animals experience at least some of the same stages in their own losses. How can they not, when they get used to another animal companion being there all the time?

In this piece, "A Friend I Used to Know", it is my assertion that Chewy was expressing some deep-embedded grief over the loss of his aquarium partner, Twizzles, three months earlier. In the days to follow, Chewy was rather withdrawn and had a definite decrease in appetite. His naps turned into long slumbers and his motivation waned. This went on for at least a month.

Without going into the specifics of Twizzles's demise, there are good reasons why parents insist on their children holding their hands while crossing the street.

Rest in peace, Twizzles. And thank you, Chewy, for allowing this grief to be expressed through this piece. I did pay close attention to Chewy's habits in the days following this art-making session. I'm sure I sensed a huge wave of relief come over him. This art was therapeutic.

::: deep, heavy sigh :::

Posted by Chris Dunmire at 10:31 PM

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Available for Download: Free ART RAT Book Excerpt

For those of you eagerly awaiting more information about my new book "ART RAT: The Rodent Artist", you'll be pleased to find a free excerpt of the book available for download on the ART RAT Web site.

Download the FREE ART RAT book excerpt on the official ART RAT Web site.

In addition, some of ART RAT'S watercolor painting prints are available for purchase to help support our continuing creative work together. I not only find our creativity coaching work together satisfying, but also an important breakthrough in the creative science field. Please visit the ART RAT Web site for more information.

Posted by Chris Dunmire at 9:29 AM

Friday, April 6, 2007

Is ART RAT an Online April Fool's Day Joke?

For the answer to this tricky question, you'll have to visit the Official ART RAT Web site and download the FREE book excerpt.

Posted by Chris Dunmire at 1:06 PM

FAQs about ART RAT:

Q: What is this blog?

A: It's a chronicle of Chewy Lewy's (a pet rat) creative expression as an artistic rat, facilitated by his caretaker and creativity coach, Chris Dunmire.

Q: Is this for real?

A: "Imagination is more important than knowledge." — Albert Einstein

Q: And there's really a book about this?

A: If you see it, you may believe it.

Q: C'mon, really?

A: Are you open to infinite experience?

Q: Isn't it wrong to make your pet do art?

A: Pets have free will.

Q: This is just crazy.

A: Is it?

Q: Isn't Chris Dunmire a humorist?

A: Yes, and?

Q: And she makes up lots of joke things, right?

A: Yes, and?

Q: What else should I know?

A: Do you have a grain of salt? Okay, yes, ART RAT is a complete fabrication of the hoaxing kind. But wasn't it a great read?