Aviary Arsonist, 1995.
Scented acrylic on colored paper
68 x 54.5cm.
Collection of the Artist

Artist
Gumbie, a ten year old Tabby, did not begin painting until he was introduced to it by the boarding cattery he stayed at while his owners were away on vacation. four of the five paintings he completed there have been sold for prices in excess of $1,500 and he went on to complete another 18 works at home before his untimely death in March of 1995. Three of Gumbie's paintings were selected for exhibition in Montreal and a print of his best known work, "Regular Rodent Rapture," now adorns his grave stone at the pet cemetry in East York, Toronto.

Curatorial Notes
"...his seemingly random smears of intersecting color intrigue with their sense of activity and must hide a deeper purpose." Rudi Fuchz, private assessment, 1995.

Sent In By: Ruby and Daniel Ostroff of Forest Hill, Toronto.

Estimated Value: Since Gumbie's death, his paintings have nearly trippled in value. The work shown here has not been put up for sale but is likely to fetch in excess of $5,000.