The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside Dollhouse and Characters at The Nassau County Museum of Art

Cynthia von Buhler's The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside dollhouse and book characters have been accepted into the The Nassau County Museum of Art's Tee Ridder Minatures Museum Collection. The set and characters will be on display beginning in October of 2007. The museum is also allowing Cynthia von Buhler access to their collection for her next children's book which will be released by Houghton Mifflin in Fall of 2009. Von Buhler is currently working on the characters for this book.

THE NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
The Museum has become a cultural resource bringing to Nassau County a range of visual experiences and quality art education programs previously unavailable in this suburban area. Accordingly, we present the works of internationally acclaimed artists in the main Museum building, a permanent collection of miniature rooms in the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum, educational programs for all ages and special exhibitions for local talented artists.

Joan and Arnold Saltzman Fine Art Building
The Museum's magnificent natural site on 145 acres, its formal gardens and fascinating history offer a setting unique for monumental outdoor sculpture, historic architecture, a collection of flora rare on Long Island, performances and first-rate fine art exhibitions.

The Museum is located 20 miles east of New York City in Roslyn Harbor, Long Island. Since its privatization in 1989, it has become the largest suburban fine arts museum in the United States in terms of attendance, volunteer participation and budget.

THE TEE RIDDER MINATURES MUSEUM

Tee's style was eclectic. She invested in exquisitely crafted items such as a reproduction of an 18th century harpsichord with an oil painting inside the lid and a lady's writing desk that contains a secret compartment. On travels to Italy and England, she indulged her eye for detail, returning home to create shops for Venetian glass and English porcelain. From African safaris came mineral specimens which were crafted into room decorations.

Ranging from cozy kitchens to elegant gilded drawing rooms, the "Tee touch" is always evident. Tee's taste was impeccable, and it was seldom that her miniatures were without her signature touch of refreshing whimsy.

Visitors to the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum of the Nassau County Museum of Art are charmed by an 18th century kitchen, a music room and a gaming room containing animal trophies. A French grand salon is illuminated by an electrified glass chandelier three inches tall with replaceable light bulbs the size of a grain of rice.

In this miniature world, Tee Ridder found endless hours of pleasure, fantasy, and creative satisfaction. She would be thrilled by the pleasure her art is giving both young and old.

The Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum has a gift shop which sells miniature furniture, miniatures kits and many non-miniature related gift items. The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside will also be available in the bookstore.
Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Drive
Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576
516-484-9338

ADMISSION FEES
General Admission: $10.00
Seniors (62 & over): $8.00
Children and full-time students: $4.00
Children under 5: Free
Museum members: Free

Parking Fee: $2.00 per car on Saturdays and Sundays only

HOURS
The Nassau County Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Sunday, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 4:45 PM.

The Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 12:00 PM through 4:30 PM.

Visit the museum website HERE.

King Tut Greets Me In Mamaroneck, New York

King Tut

I visited Mamaroneck Avenue School in Mamaroneck New York last week to give a slide presentation about my book to all 500 students. I was in for a surprise when the ultra-cool librarian, Madeline Gilbert, picked me up at the train station with her pet cockatoo, King Tut, on her shoulder. The bird stays at the library with her every day and at the end of the school year Madeline brings in her pet turtle. Her office, with fellow cool librarian Carol Santini, is a dark planetarium and the library was warm and welcoming. The children presented me with 500 beautiful drawings of houses and animals. I have chosen a few of them to display here. It was hard to choose. I love all of the drawings. - Cynthia von Buhler

"Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for making our entire school so happy today. I'm sure by the time you visit us again, the copies of The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside will be well worn with the many requests to take them out of the library.

Your presentation was so natural and appealing. All of us are still
talking about it.

Thank you,

Madeline Gilbert
Library Teacher"

Madeline and King Tut
King Tut
"A Shelter For The Cat" drawing by Emmeline Chuy
"House by Moonlight" drawing by Natalia
"Sandwich House" drawing by Hyojin Kang
"Heart House" drawing by unsigned (Contact me if you made this drawing so I can add your name here.)
"Guitar House" drawing by Jason Abel
"The Place of the Cats" drawing by Kyra Greenawalt
"The Flying House" drawing by Noah
"Large Purple Bird with Cat and Dog" drawing by unsigned (Contact me if you made this drawing so I can add your name here.)
"Cat with Hat and Boots" drawing by Rie Ogasawara
"Castle, China House and Heart House" drawing by Jessica Barrios
"Tweet Tweet, Meow and Neigh" drawing by Ciara Cattano
"Air Bubble House" drawing by Hayley

Kodiak's Clay Cat

The clay cat workshop and book reading at The Staten Island Museum was a big hit. We are doing another one on Saturday, August 25th at 2 p.m. For more information please click HERE.

Here is a letter from a parent who attended the Clay Cat Workshop at The Staten Island Museum:

"Cynthia,

Kodiak (age 4) is finished with the cat sculpture he started at your 5/19 clay workshop at the Staten Island Museum. The photos are attached. The sculpture is painted like one of his mom's cats.

I also blogged (with lots of photos) about the entire process at the link below. This post includes the trip to SI, sculpting at home, and painting... as well as the Prodigal/Splashdown backstory.

http://brian-of-brooklyn.blogspot.com/2007/06/cat-who-wouldnt-come-inside.html

Thanks for putting on this workshop. I hope to get back to the museum this summer to take a closer look at your 'grownup' exhibit. Keep spreading the good word about Staten Island!

-Brian Hedden"

The Most Wonderful Cats

Photo: Ada needs a new home.
Sent by a cat lover:

"well, we have to do it.

as you may know, we're moving to copenhagen. as you also may know, we have a few cats. some think its crazy to bring a cat to denmark. pretty much everyone would agree its psychotic to bring three. so we're trying to find a good home for ada and lily. chances are we've already asked you, or know that you cant take them. but maybe we havent asked. or maybe you know someone who could. or know someone who knows someone . . .

they are wonderful cats who have grown up together and so if at all possible we want them to stay together. ada is 8 and lily is 7. they both love to sit on laps and in boxes and to play with each other. ada is black and white and really smart and has distinctive features like a black spot on her nose. lily is gray with white paws and a bit of a ballerina and she'll fall over if you rub her belly right. i think she may actually be the sweetest cat in the world.

i've attached pictures. dont want to beg but if you know anyone who you think may be able to care for them, please pass this on. this is a terribly depressing email to write and possibly to receive and i apologize. i also apologize if you live very far away or our communications have lapsed . . . we are casting a wide net and hoping that someone knows someone who might come to love these cats nearly as much as we do.

thanks.

catherine and benjamin and lily and ada."

CONTACT: catherine zeidler, catpatz@gmail.com
Photo: Ada and Lily
Photo: Lily needs a new home.

Muppet Needs A New Home!

Photo: Muppet
A letter from one of our blog readers:

"Muppet is a two year old black and white tuxedo cat with a very silly
quirky personality. She loves to play and nap on her back with her
legs up. When you pet her, she purrs like a motor. We already have too
many cats and Muppet really wants her own clean litter box. She would
do best in a home where she was the star and there weren't any other
kitties to compete with. Muppet is very cute and loving when she gets
to know you. Loves cuddling in bed and being pet under her chinny. We
want to find a loving parent for Muppet because we want the best for
her and we are hoping you will feel the same."

If you are interested, please e-mail christina.carrozza@gmail.com

Cynthia von Buhler: Show & Tell Solo Exhibit Opens at the Staten Island Museum

On Friday, April 27, the Staten Island Museum will unveil Cynthia von Buhler: Show & Tell. The exhibit will run from April 26, 2007 – June 17, 2007, Extended until September 23, 2007 due to popular demand. The surreal three-dimensional works blend Renaissance inspired portraiture and messianic figures with natural objects. Cynthia von Buhler’s enigmatic paintings impart their meaning through symbol, design, and narrative. In von Buhler’s art, butterflies, snakes, birds, and plants are set into cages, boxes, and peepholes to serve as metaphors for the human condition. The layered gouache paintings and their sculptural, performance, and audio accoutrements are at once poignant and mischievous. Show and Tell is akin to a trip down an ornate rabbit hole. Also on exhibit will be sculpture characters in dollhouse dioramas from von Buhler's recently released children's book The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside (Houghton Mifflin, 2006). The museum is easily accessible from Manhattan via the Staten Island ferry which is a free twenty-minute ride, and lands across the street from the museum. An exhibition catalog will be available. Books are available for sale in the museum gift shop. Opening Reception: Friday, April 27th, 6PM - 8PM.

May 6, 2007: Cynthia von Buhler Artist’s Talk will be held on Sunday, May 6th at 2:00 p.m. Von Buhler’s Renaissance inspired portraits hold hidden secrets, butterflies, snakes, and birds---while cages and peepholes serve as mischievous metaphors. The Artist’s Talk is part of the Artists/Ideas Series: Supported by JP Morgan Chase.

May 19, 2007: The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside Family Workshop and Book Signing with Artist and author Cynthia von Buhler will be held on Saturday, May 19th at 2:00 p.m. Participants will meet the artist and find out how she created her new book with dollhouse charm and a message about patience and giving. A cat figurine workshop for children is included in the program. Admission is $2 per child. Signed books will be available for sale at the event.

August 11, 2007: Cynthia von Buhler Artist’s Talk will be held on Saturday, August 11th at 1:00 p.m. Von Buhler’s Renaissance inspired portraits hold hidden secrets, butterflies, snakes, and birds---while cages and peepholes serve as mischievous metaphors. The Artist’s Talk is part of the Artists/Ideas Series: Supported by JP Morgan Chase. Free with museum admission.

August 25, 2007: The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside Family Workshop and Book Signing with Artist and author Cynthia von Buhler will be held on Saturday, August 25th at 2:00 p.m. Participants will meet the artist and find out how she created her new book with dollhouse charm and a message about patience and giving. A cat figurine workshop for children is included in the program. Admission is $5 per child. Admission is free for children under 12. Copies of the book will be available for sale at this event.

Read the museum press release and view close-up details of some of the paintings HERE e event.

If you are coming from Manhattan you can take the ferry from lower Manhattan to the island. It is a lovely 1/2 hour ride with outstanding views. Take the 1, R, W, 4, or 5 train to South Ferry. (If you take the 1 train make sure that you are in one of the first 5 subway cars). The museum is across the street from the ferry terminal.

The Staten Island Museum. 75 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, New York City, 718-727-1135
Hours: Tuesdays - Fridays from 9AM to 5PM, Saturday 10AM - 5PM, Sunday 12PM- 5PM

Personal Online Research Exposes Animal Abuse

Now that my vetinarian-prescribed cat food has been recalled I'm worried about what I'm going to feed my pets. I went online to do some research and I found out that many pet food companies do painful testing on animals. The PETA site had a plethora of information. I plan on feeding my animals Wysong. They do not test on animals and the products appear to be purer. They also offer a diabetic cat food (for Cowie's Baby) but you need to buy it through vetinarians. I plan on contacting my vet to request that they switch to Wysong.

New Pet Food Alerts! Recall on Hill's M/D Dry Food

My vet called me tonight with an urgent message: The Hill's M/D Prescription Dry Cat Food I have been buying from them has also been recalled. This is very expensive food prescribed because one of my cats is diabetic. This expensive brand had also bought some of the tainted wheat gluten in 2007. My cats seem okay but who knows what kind of affect this will have on our pets health in the future. I'm angry. Please make sure that you are not feeding your pet any of these foods. Go HERE to read the press release.

Your Cat or Dog Food Could Cause Kidney Failure: Major Pet Food Recall

Yesterday I went to PetSmart to buy wet food pouches for my dog and there were none left on the shelf. Now I know why. Tonight a friend sent me this information below. I checked the UPC number and we have the bad food (Eukanuba for Senior Dogs). Luckily our dog, Miss Jenny Poodles (pictured), has not experienced any problems. We feed our cats prescription M/D wet food (because one is diabetic) and my most recent rescue, Puss Puss, has been eating Fancy Feast so no worries there. [Scratch that last comment! I had a false feeling of security. See my recent blog posts, even my prescription food was not safe!] Please check to make sure that you are not feeding your cat or dog these recalled brands of wet food. A few years ago one of my cats, Cleo, ate the dust from a white lilly and went into renal failure. I noticed that she was acting strange and took her to the vet. She was saved but it was a close call. Please check and make sure that you don't have these products. - Cynthia

IMPORTANT BLOG UPDATE: I took down my list of recalled foods because it appears that the list is growing and I did not want to miss any products that were recently added. So, please visit the FDA site for an up-to-date list of recalled foods and press releases by clicking HERE.

Cat Fancy Magazine Features The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside

Photo: The victorian house from The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside
Cat Fancy Magazine Feature:
The April issue of Cat Fancy magazine (in stores now) features an interview with von Buhler, by Laura Lee Bloor, about her children's book, The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside. Available in pet stores everywhere.
Read a portion of the interview HERE.

CatChannel.com Exclusive Feature:
There is an exclusive now on CatChannel.com, featuring audio clips of von Buhler telling stories of her cat-rescue endeavors. Go HERE to listen to von Buhler and view pictures.

Photo: The book is about this cat named Olympus.
Photo: Princess Fancy Feast was rescued at Christmas time.
Photo: Pacman had been hit by a car.
Photo: Musso would eat mice whole.
Photo: Little Miss, Chairman Meow were rescued when they were very sick feral kittens. Cowie's Baby, on the right, cares for them.
Photo: Fuzzy Pumper was a little feral furball who appeared on our porch one day.
Photo: Have you seen this picture of Little Bear elsewhere? Hint: He is very musical.
Photo: Little Miss and Chairman Meow recover from their illness and become friendly.
Photo: Dr. Q sneezes big long green boogers.

The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside Animation

If you merge South Park with Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer it might look something like this. This animation is based on the children's book, The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside, written and illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler. Please note: This animation is loosely based on the book. The book is not weird or scary. You can view it on YouTube (and comment upon it) by clicking HERE.

Director & Artist: Cynthia von Buhler
Animator: Christina Carrozza D'Alessandro
Music: Adam Buhler
Lyrics: Cynthia von Buhler
Vocals: Cynthia von Buhler & Chris Cote