Vicki uses the name BZTAT in homage to a feline companion of that name who was with her for 19 years. You can learn more about the artist and view her artwork at www.bztat.com.
What
is your idea of perfect happiness?
There was a time when I
would get into a “half full or half empty?” kind of discussion with a
question like this… Now that I am getting older, I am still
philosophical, but less needy to query the nature of happiness. I will
say, though, that preceding the word “happiness” with the word “perfect”
tends to take away from it. Perfection is an unattainable ideal, in my
opinion, and I really don’t seek it out.
Happiness does not need
to be perfect. It just needs to be. Happiness is simply a state of
feeling comfort, joy, peace, love, gratitude, and/or any combination of
those things. Spending time with my cats, my family and my friends often
bring these things to me. Meeting new friends through social media then
meeting up with them in “real” life brings me joy. Creating artwork
that brings joy or some other kind of gratifying experience to others
brings another kind of happiness to me that I cannot fully describe. It
just “is”. Seeing a homeless pet find a forever family brings me another
kind of indescribable joy.
If you could come back as a dog
or a cat, which one would it be and why?
I think both would
be thrilling experiences! Cats are independent, intelligent and self
aware. Dogs are loyal, playful and grateful. I suspect that I would come
back as a cat, though, because I think that I have a feline soul within
me already.
What is your pets most treasured possession?
I
have 4 cats, each with their own preferences and treasures. They do all
seem to battle for two particular sleeping spots, however. One is the
mini-cat tower that sits next to my desk chair at the computer. The
other is a purple laundry basket. I have long since given up using the
basket and the few clothes that were left in it when it first became a
pet bed.
Oh, and of course there is that video evidence of the
world famous Brewskie Butt playing with his prize nip cigar that he got
from his Twitter friend Baby Patches of Nip and Bones…
Your proudest achievement so far?
I have many
accomplishments for which I am very proud. My most recent achievement
for which I have great pride is a piece of public art that I just
completed. The mural consists of 4 large panels painted as windows, each
with a painted cat in it. The “Downtown Cats” mural was installed on
the side of a building last week. People have followed the development
of the mural from all over the world via Facebook and Twitter. We will
be broadcasting the Dedication of the mural live via USTREAM so that my
world-wide fans can participate.
As proud as I am of the
“Downtown Cats” mural, however, there is actually another artwork that I
consider my proudest achievement. “Jesse’s Journey” is an artwork that I
did a few years ago highlighting the experience of children who are
survivors of trauma. To complete an artwork that has such meaning and
purpose is every artist’s dream.
Who are your heroes in real
life?
My mother is my number one hero. Although she is
seriously afflicted with Alzheimer ’s disease, she is still a very
resilient and courageous woman. I have always aspired to have her
tenacity and spirit of self-reinvention.
I also have some
unlikely heroes who I admire and celebrate. I have worked for 19 years
as a professional clinical counselor for children. In that time, I have
met numerous children who have experienced horrible and terrifying
things that no child should ever have to endure. Their spirit of
recovery and resilience in overcoming emotional pain has both inspired
and moved me. They are my heroes.
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