Nine years ago, James Dean rushed for his camera to capture an image of his pensive cat, Pete. But before he could snap the photo, the once-still Pete had darted away and headed toward the laundry basket.

So the married McDonough artist, who had until then mostly sketched Athens and Atlanta city landscapes, drew the first Pete the Cat.

Elissa Eubanks/AJC (ENLARGE)
James Dean, who dedicated himself to art at age 39, has painted thousands of images of Pete the Cat.
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ON EXHIBIT "Think Responsibly, Drink Responsively: A Cat's Commentary on Wine Connoisseurship," James Dean's newest series of Pete the Cat paintings. Opens Saturday and runs through July 30. The Seen Gallery, 321 W. Hill St., Decatur. 404-377-0733. www.petethecat.com RELATED LINKS: • Photos: Pete the Cat, and the artist who loved him • Blog: ATLarts • Other art exhibits

Since then, the black cat transformed into a cobalt blue kitty with a penchant for color, globetrotting, adventure and mischief.

From slipping into Picasso's "Dream," to nuzzling in Frida Kahlo's neck to joining the Beatles on Abbey Road, Pete the Cat wonderfully wanders through time and experiences.

Now, Pete the Cat is drinking wine and seems to favor the reds, specifically "Cat-bernets." He also jams on the rooftop of Eddie's Attic in Decatur.

Dean, who is now 50, grew up in Alabama, graduated from Auburn University and worked as an engineer for Georgia Power for almost 20 years. He dedicated himself to art at age 39, painting thousands of images of Pete the Cat. A regular at local art festivals, his work gets snatched up by fans around the country. On Saturday Dean's latest series of paintings named, "Think Responsibly, Drink Responsively: A Cat's Commentary on Wine Connoisseurship" opens at The Seen Gallery in Decatur.

Describe Pete.

He thinks he's so cool. He thinks he can do anything. Once I drew him with a huge alligator he had to wrestle. Pete can't wrestle. He's really just a regular cat with a big imagination. He's a big sweetheart.

Talk about Pete the Cat's evolution over the years.

In my early works, it was simple and Pete was doing what cats do — playing with the blind cords, sleeping on chairs, hanging off the edge of tables. And one time after Pete stuck his head in my coffee cup, I drew him in a more cartoonish way and suddenly he took on this "person persona."

What can we expect with Pete in your next series of work?

He started drinking wine a year ago. And at first, he started drinking out of a Martini glass; he didn't know the difference. But he's read some books and now he can tell you how to taste a fine wine. One day, I drew a picture of him and on the wine bottle, it says, "Drink Responsibly." And every time I think about a cat being responsible, it just cracks me up.

What won't Pete do?

Well, I just did a painting of him going to the bathroom outside the litter box and thought a long time about what the caption should say. I realized it just needed a thought bubble that says, "ut oh." It's first grade humor. Nine years ago, that would have been beneath me but here I am and it jumps out at me. I feel like the only person who would buy that painting is someone who has cats.

You have one dog, Emma, but obviously you have an affinity for cats. What is it about cats?

I have always felt like I could almost talk to them. I feel like I understand them. I like the aloofness they have and I like their independence.

AND HE HAS REAL CATS

First there was the real Pete, a young black cat rescued from a shelter.

Playful and sweet, Pete loved to nap in the laundry basket, play with the blinds cords and rest on Deans' lap. After just nine months, Pete, who often played outdoors, wandered off and never returned. "For three weeks, every morning, the first thing I did was go to the kitchen door and look for him," Dean said. "I would like to think someone took him."

His other cats include:

• Audrey: A white, furry, spunky cat with squinty blue eyes. Named after Audrey Hepburn.

• Yoko: A sweet tuxedo cat. Named after Yoko Ono. Likes to play with pens. (Somehow separated from her mom too early, Yoko sometimes sucks on Dean's T-shirt, leaving a wet spot.)

• Bob: A gentle,sweet gray cat that reminds Dean of Pete. "Talks" to Dean and likes to bump heads with him, too.

• Frida: A fearless, tough cat that likes to hunt. Named after the Mexican painter. Once returned home clutching a rabbit but let Bob take the credit for it.