Painter captures bookstore's cats

By Hugh Fisher

hfisher@salisburypost.com

Literary Bookpost on Main Street is probably known to many just as "the bookstore with the cats."

Three black felines, Goethe, Dickens and Oscar, make the store their own.

"They give the store a lot of character," said owner Deal Safrit.

Now, thanks to a visiting author and artist, they are immortalized on canvas.

Emily Eve Weinstein, painter and author of several books of art — including a book of cat portraits — was in town Saturday to celebrate the closing of an exhibition at Waterworks Visual Arts Center.

She held a reception and signing at Literary Bookpost, with an unusual twist.

"I hate to drive this far and not do something special," Weinstein said.

In her painter's clothes, with easel and palette at the ready, she proceeded to paint a picture of the Literary Bookpost's aisle with three black cats on the prowl.

As she painted, she talked to guests about technique and shared stories of her art.

Her most recent book, "Saving Magic Places," is an artistic journal of landmarks preserved through the efforts of diverse groups of people.

Landscapes, buildings and people populate Weinstein's most recent book.

And she happily showed off some of the paintings from her Waterworks show, which she had with her at the Literary Bookpost reception.

As for the cats, Weinstein said Goethe, Dickens and Oscar help make the bookstore what it is.

"It's absolutely fitting to paint them," she said.

She donated the 8-by-10-inch oil painting to the store.

Daphne Safrit said the picture will go on display next week, after it has had enough time to dry.

Employee Gary Thornburg said it was fitting to have the three cats captured artistically.

"They add a little joy to everyone's day," Thornburg said.

Each cat has its own distinct personality.

Goethe is pronounced "Gerta," since they found out she's a girl after they'd named her for the male German philosopher.

She can usually be found by the register, keeping an eye on business.

Dickens, the long-haired cat, usually slumbers somewhere out of reach, but sometimes comes out to meow at passing customers.

And Oscar, the only male of the group, often makes the leather sofa toward the back of the store his perch.

The cats take turns sunning in the window among the books on display.

"They greet you at the door," regular customer Kathleen Tronsor said.

While Daphne Safrit was ringing up her purchases, Tronsor was petting Goethe.

"Every store needs a kitty-cat," Tronsor said.