A ‘Kool’ display

Mike Sciacca

Don Roth’s whimsical works about the adventures of a cool cat and his

feline friends first became noticed on the local art scene in 2000.

Three years later, and born from that first painting, has grown a

series that is known as the “Kool-Kat Kollection, which presently can

be viewed at the Huntington Beach Central Library’s Corner Gallery.

The 20-piece collection -- plus other works of his -- will be on

display through the end of the month.

Roth, a professional artist, has more than 30 years of experience

as an illustrator but it is his current work depicting cats, that has

gained notoriety.

“I painted images of people before this cat phase but these cats

have really been quite popular,” said Roth, who will turn 56 this

month. “I began painting cats in 1999 and my first showing, at the

Pierside Art Gallery, launched this entire series.”

Roth’s two cats, Mr. Leo and Rocky, are featured in his paintings.

But it is Mr. Leo, a 16-year-old Tabby, who is the star of the art

work.

It is Mr. Leo who had the lead role of, “Kahuna Kat,” the title of

Roth’s first painting in the series.

The artwork depicted Mr. Leo wearing sunglasses as he drove a

Woodie down Pacific Coast Highway. It hung in the front window of the

Pierside Art Gallery.

“Don’s work is a unique blend of artistry and fun,” said Wayne

Heller, a partner at Pierside Art Gallery, who sold Roth’s original

piece. “People would chuckle when they would see his work and for

some, it reminded them of their own cat. It’s a fun series.”

Roth, a longtime resident of Surf City and member of the nearly

400-strong Huntington Beach Art League, was on what had grown to be a

thee-year waiting list for local artists wanting to have their work

displayed at the library’s Corner Gallery.

But when an opening recently became available, Roth, who said his

work wouldn’t be shown at the venue until sometime in 2004, jumped at

the chance.

“I had been showing my cat series at art league events, all over

the county and into L.A. county,” he said. “The biggest kick I get is

watching the reaction of children when they see my Kool-Kat

paintings. They just light up, it’s incredible.”

Because he has been trained as an illustrator, Roth’s paintings

take on the look of an actual photograph.

“That has become my ‘shtick,’” he said.

One of his light-hearted paintings in the Kool-Kat Kollection,

“Yankee Doodle Tabby,” is a painting inspired by the original “Spirit

of 76” painting from the Revolutionary War and the tragic events of

Sept. 11, 2001.

Other Kollection pieces are “Kitty Express,” “Feline Family Feast”

and the “Surf City Series” featuring “Kahuna Kat,” “Kool-Kat Surfer”

and “Kool-Kat Surf Report.”

His prints range in price from $20 to $150.

A painting can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks to complete,

depending on the size and complexity of the piece, he said.

Roth’s work recently was licensed to Mill Pond Press of Venice,

Fla., and now his Kool-Kat images can be seen on greeting cards,

coffee mugs, tote bags, t-shirts, beach towels and jig-saw puzzles.

“I’m looking at this series as a tribute to Mr. Leo’s life,” Roth

said. “He’s the star of all these paintings and he’s handled that

stardom quite well. It is my solemn belief that these magical and

light-hearted paintings will amuse and amaze the entire family,

especially the children.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.