Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics by Heather Busch (1994, Paperback)

My copy of this book is softcover, and has 96 pages. It has full color photographs that I think cat lovers will really get a kick out of! They are so cute!

This book explores cat sculpture (shredded furniture! LOL!)...and best of all cat painting! just wait till you see this! you'll want to set up a studio for your own kittycat! And this is a good book to turn to if you ever get mad at your precious for doing something destructive...it will make you laugh until you don't feel bad anymore.

Quoting a bit from the book, "The fact that some domestic cats are able to make marks with paint has always been explained by biologists as an instinctive form of territorial marking behavior. Now, "Why Cats Paint" presents a cogently argued theory based on recent evidence which clearly supports the view that some cats' marks are aesthetically motivated and should be regarded as genuine works of non-primate art..."

If you enjoy either art or cats, I think you will appreciate this book. The book sorta takes a humorous jab at the pretentious world of art criticism, while pretending to be a serious book. (It isn't; it's totally tongue-in-cheek.)
I love it! I definitely recommend it.

I happened on this book in my local library & mistakenly assumed it was a cutesy book for cat-lovers. Instead, I found it to be a scholarly treatment of a phenomenon dating back to Egyptian times and a subject of serious, multi-disciplinary study. As an Art major & cat-lover, I had to have it for its wonderful illustrations, if nothing else. It introduced me to "speciesism" and challenged my viewpoint on aesthetics, both human and feline. I bought a copy for my personal collection as well as for my skeptical vetinarian. It has has afforded me much delight and spirited conversation with others who appreciate the unique and impossible-to-define nature of cats.

For Cat Lovers everywhere, I just love this book. It has wonderful, full page photos of cats who paint! Of course, the cats' art works are also included.

Amazing. Bought it because the title caught our attention. My wife likes cats so much she helps at a shelter, and I try to paint.
We really were impressed with the quality of the photos and the writing. It is easy to "get lost" in this book. A true joy.
Comparison is difficult, since this book is so unique. But, it is up there with "Menopaws" and "The Blue Cat of Castletown".