Several years ago, I came across a book on painted cats. The book was
a gallery of cats that had been painted ON, as opposed to paintings OF
cats. The artist used the cat's existing markings as a basis for his
painted designs. I remember that the cats were marked with non-toxic
paints and bleaches, and that the designes took several weeks to wear
off. It was quite striking, and quite unique.

The book was priced between $25 and $50, and I had seen the
going-out-of-buisness-sale at a Hastings in Illinois. It was a fairly
large hardcover book, glossy pages an all - like most art/pictures
books. I really wanted the book, but I didnt buy it because I could
see the the original price was lower then their "clearance" price. I
do not remember the author, nor the exact title. I *think* the title
was Painted Cats or Painting Cats, but that could just be my memory of
the subject.

I have been unable to find any mention of it online because there are
SO many books on painting, painting cats in general, etc.

Please find the title and author of this book, and the ISBN number. If
it's part of a series, the author should be sufficient. Thank you!

I am certain that the book you're remembering is "Why Paint Cats," by
Burton Silver and Heather Busch, which was a sequel to Silver and
Busch's equally hilarious "Why Cats Paint."

ISBN: 1580082718 (Paperback) 
ISBN: 1580084729 (Hardcover)

"Silver and Busch have done it again! Their first book, 'Why Cats
Paint,' is the most hysterical art book I've ever seen and makes me
chuckle to think about it. 'Why Paint Cats' continues the put-on
tradition even more, with the deadly serious tone of a true art book,
and the hysterical premise of painting cats strange colors and
designs. Yet as a book of cat photos, it is truly beautiful. I don't
know how they actually got the great patterns on these cats (I suspect
they are only in the photos), but the the effects are spectacular."

Amazon: Why Paint Cats
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1580082718/

"Why Paint Cats" includes many photos of cats with designs painted on
their fur (with non-toxic vegetable dyes). You can see small versions
of some of the photos on the "Why Paint Cats" website:

Why Paint Cats Home Page
http://www.whypaintcats.com/

Here you'll find useful price comparison tables for "Why Paint Cats":

AddAll.com: "Why Paint Cats" (Paperback)
http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.cgi?dispCurr=USD&id=438981&isbn=1580082718&location=10000&thetime=20041110111243&author=&title=&state=AK

AddAll.com: "Why Paint Cats" (Hardcover)
http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.cgi?dispCurr=USD&id=438981&isbn=1580084729&location=10000&thetime=20041110111243&author=&title=&state=AK

And here you can purchase the "Why Paint Cats" 2005 Wall Calendar:

Amazon.com: Why Paint Cats 2005 Calendar, Wall Edition 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1580086195

I hope I have correctly identified your book. If not, please request
clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you
rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

---

Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 10 Nov 2004 13:38 PST

Here are two more "painted cats" products:

Ten Speed Press: Famous Painted Cats Journal 
http://www.tenspeed.com/catalog/all/item.php3?id=1906

Ten Speed Press: Famous Painted Cats Postcards
http://www.tenspeed.com/catalog/all/item.php3?id=1907

Thank you for the very prompt (and correct!) answer. Much appreciated :)

Thank you very much for the five stars and the tip!

~pinkfreud