April's cat, Nezumi's paw

Cats usually have 5 toes on each forepaw, and 4 on each hind paw. Poly- or hyperdactyl cats have more than the usual 18 digits on their paws, although it occurs more frequently on the front feet. Any breed of cat can show this trait, although it's quite common in the Maine Coon cats (40%). The cats can have one or more extra toes on a paw, usually on the thumb side or an extra dewclaw (undeveloped toe or thumb).  Some owners report this gives their cats unique abilities that other cats don't have, like being able to open boxes.  Click on Polydactyl Cats to see some wonderful pictures of these charming cats with big feet.

5.  Christmas Cat eCards are Coming

Be on the lookout for these annual favorites and some new additions after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The regular cat greeting cards (ecards) are, of course, available HERE.

6.  Cat Blinkies

7.  The Famous Artists' Cats Images

While we're on the subject, just a reminder that these cat prints are copyrighted.  I don't mind if you copy the images for fun, but please, if you use them on the Internet, you must have them tucked away on a page on your site.

And, if you do use them anywhere, it would be greatly appreciated if you would provide the source of the image if you use it on the Net (The Cat Gallery) or a link to it (http://www.thecatgallery.com).  That way other people can also discover my site.  Thanks.

The Famous Artists' Cats images may not be reproduced in any fashion for advertising, mechandising, or profit.

8.  Cat Stereograms

To continue in our series of different ways to represent a cat using a computer, now you're going to have a really interesting treat.  You're going to see some examples of stereograms with a cat as a subject.  These are really cool!  The cat is being used to introduce you to this other dimension.

There are several different kinds of stereograms, and the creators of these images consider it a valid art form.  You’ve probably come across the kind made up of colored dots, that you have to stare at until the image suddenly becomes clear.

If you’ve ever had trouble visualizing such 3-D images before, Gene Levine has very simple yet effective instructions on how to easily view the stereograms.  Then it will be a breeze for you.  It will only take a couple of minutes, and you will be well rewarded.  Go Here.

a.  Francesco Franceschi’s website, Pixoteric, shows us examples of Autostereograms.  These are two images like what our two eyes see when they view an object, each from a slightly different angle.  Our brain then superimposes them and gives the object depth.  Frank uses a computer to create these double images and lets our eyes and brain bring them together.

To see acrobatic cats with an umbrella in 3-D:

Relax your eyes and focus behind the image.  Suddenly, you will see the two images turn into three, with a 3-dimensional effect.  There are three images sizes of the acrobatic cats to work with.  The middle size was convenient for me.

Once you’ve mastered the viewing technique, look at the other examples on this page:

Here you can also read the theory behind how it’s done and find tutorials to create the images yourself, if you’d like to.

All images are copyrighted.  Have fun exploring his site.

b.  Gene Levine’s site, Color Stereo I, is designed to introduce people unfamiliar with stereograms to the world of unaided 3D viewing.  It also tries to introduce those already familiar with stereograms to the range of stereogram types--including animated stereograms.  The Color Stereo mission is to try and develop a public perception of stereograms as an art form--as opposed to casual visual curiosities.

Color Stereo is a large gallery site, but also acts as an Artist's Portfolio.  Gene Levine has been published in Japan in three stereogram books, with a fourth on the way.

SIS - Single Image Stereograms
SIRDS - Single Image Random Dot Stereograms

SIS & SIRDS are the stereograms most people are familiar with due to wide commercial exposure. This is the kind of stereogram where a shape is hidden in a field of dots or patterns, and starts from a single, colored or black and white, random dot pattern image. 

Test your ability to find his black cat in a coal mine.  This is fun.

Then check out the other SIS and SIRDS images with your newfound ability:

Since we’re mostly focusing on cats, go to the Fauna Gallery and scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the positive and negative tiger faces in the stereo tile background.  Tile backgrounds are another form of stereograms:

Be sure to look at the Java Applet Animation section and watch the colors change on your 3-D image.

And check out the other varieties of stereograms on his site.  Lots of great entertainment now that you know how to do it.  All images are copyrighted.

If you’ve followed all this, you will now be an expert at viewing stereograms, and you will have discovered another fascinating world beyond the 2-dimensional flat screen in front of you.

9.  The Cat Gallery’s Famous Artists’ Cats are Famous  

Well......The site and it’s art have now been written up in the New York newspaper Newsday, The Kansas City Star, The San Francisco Chronicle, Muse from the publishers of the Smithsonian, and somewhere in Japan.  (It’s making it’s way around the world)  If you’ve seen us mentioned anywhere else, could you please let us know?  Thanks.

10.  Famous Artists’ Cats Prints 

Just a reminder that these unique fine art prints of how the world's great artists might have painted their own cats would make great gifts for the coming holidays.  To refresh your memory of the images available, tap  HERE.  And don't forget they only look expensive.  they just cost $15 or $20 and are also available for reasonable prices as canvas impressions, for that ultra special gift.  So, if you need a beautiful, unusual, affordable gift quickly,  you found it!

11.  Previous Issues

For those of you who have not received all of our newsletters since we began publishing them in October, 2002, the links to them are included here.  Each one is unique in its visual presentation and unusual content.  Also, look for the free offers here and there.  To return to this newsletter from the ones below, just hit the X.

12.  To Say Good Bye 

If you wish to be removed from The Cat Gallery mailing list, just follow instructions on the newsletter announcement email.  And I'll be sorry to see you go.

11.  Copyright Notice

The art and contents of this newsletter ©  Eve Riser-Roberts 2003.  All rights reserved.

Hope you enjoyed this issue.

Have a pleasant Thanksgiving.

Eve Riser-Roberts
The Cat Gallery