Why cats paint : a theory of feline aesthetics (original 1994; edition 1994)

I enjoyed the pictures of the cats and their paintings. The funny thing about this book is how serious the people are about the behavior of the cats. While some people see this as a parody, the powers that be that give Dewey Decimal numbers shelve this with other cat behavior books instead of the comedy books. ( )

Absolutely brilliant satire. One of the funniest books you'll ever read about cats. Great images of cats painting, cat paintings, and other cat art. Truly inspired. A worthwhile way to spend time. ( )

Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics (Berkeley; Ten Speed Press, 1994; $16.95), is among the funniest things I've ever read. Having composed a book of witty, outrageous lies and sweet-smelling bullshit, authors Heather Busch and Burton Silver have given us an uproarious, visually appealing send-up of art, artists, art museums, art critics, art criticism, and all the artsy-craftsy, pseudosophisticates in the known universe.

Each of the beautiful Illustrations in this book is a scream. The text contains a hoot in every paragraph and a yock on every page. Where it discusses catty quirks and feline foibles, the narrative stops short of being smarmy -- short enough, in fact, that a lot of school teachers have been sucked into believing what they read in this book. It's also true that a lot of primary-school art classes, teacher having read this book, spend long hours trying to find a feline Rembrandt that can paint like the bogus critters in the book. When I think about the money spent on acrylic paints and the messes that benighted believers have made and (hopefully) cleaned up, I have several times been found rolling on the floor.

Hifalutin cat-fanciers (Regale them with the story of the origin of the question-mark.) to the extent that they believe what's inside this book, go under Burton and Silver's lash, too. If you love cats -- or painting -- or sculpture -- or criticism, you've simply got to read this book. If you believe what you read here (It's sober-sidedly persuasive.) don't tell anyone. ( )

Cute, psuedo-academic analysis of why cats paint and dogs don't. Also details the different schools of feline painting. ( )

The fact that some cats are able to make marks with paint has been explained by the experts as an instinctive form of territorial marking behavior. But is it only that, or are some cats genuinely artistically motivated? This book is a photographic record of the artistic cat at work. It also explains many aspects of ordinary everyday cat behavior in a new way. Anyone who loves cats and is interested in psychology or art will be fascinated with this book. I loved the humor of it! ( )