Tracey Greeley is a force to be reckoned with

"Tommy"

14x12

gouache by Jim Smith for

Missaukee Humane Society of Michigan

Tracey should be President of the Michigan Chapter of the Art for the Animals project. She recruited yet another artist to contribute to her local shelter. Here's what she wrote:

Since starting an Art for Animals project in our area only a short while ago, local artists as well as three high school art classes have joined in. I am delighted to share an interesting story about this original 12 x 14" Gouache titled "Tommy", being donated to the Missaukee Humane Society of Michigan by Jim Smith, the Vice President of the Cadillac Area Artists Association. You see Jim is an oil paint artist (among other talents), however he and his wife recently moved into a smaller home without a separate art studio. Since she is allergic to his oil paints, he found it necessary to switch to watercolors so he could continue his love of painting. Though he feels he is working through a learning curve, this beautiful watercolor is only his second. As you can see, his talents and generosity are superb! For information or any questions, Jim can be reached at jms.expressions@yahoo.com.

I continue to be awed of the skill and kindness in our community. Thanks to you for giving us such a great idea!

What a wonderful painting Jim has contributed to the project but this could not come to fruition if it were not Tracey's enthusiasm and powers of persuasion for this project. A special thank you for Tracey from all of us facilitating this project and from the animals she helps and in turn helps her community to be a better place for everyone. Tracey would love if you visit Missaukee Humane Society's website HERE.

Golden

Golden

By Jan Blencowe, for Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, Conn. 

This is the third painting that Connecticut artist Jan Blencowe has made and donated to Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, Conn.

I love the light in this one, the look in the dog's eye, and the emotions that seem to soak this painting. Whoever ends up with this painting in the Furball Fund-Raiser is indeed lucky. In fact, anyone who gets any of Jan's paintings, or any of the pieces by Carol Lavoie, who brought Jan into the Art for Shelter Animals Project, is lucky!

By the way, Jan also has a wonderful blog, The Poetic Landscape. Check it out by clicking here.

"Places & Pets," the show I have with my friend Carden Holland, is coming to life at the Lighthouse Gallery (744 Long Hill Road, Groton, Conn... opening reception Friday, 5-7... you're invited!). Carden has painted the places. I've painted the pets. The show looks great, and will include an Art for Shelter Animals Project corner, too, with paintings and handouts.

Springer

Springer

By Jan Blencowe, to be donated to Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, Conn. 

Jan Blencowe lives in Connecticut and is known for her luminous, gentle landscapes. But she paints pets, too, and has donated three of her beautiful portraits to Protectors of Animals, an all-volunteer organization in East Hartford, Conn. The group is holding a fund-raiser on Feb. 13, and Jan's portraits will be a part of it.

Jan has work in the Madison Art Society Members' Show, too, in Madison, Conn. The show is up for the month of February at the Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Road in Madison. For more information, check out the Madison Art Society webpage.

I can't go to the opening, because it's on the same night as the opening of "Places & Pets," my show with Carden Holland, at the Lighthouse Gallery in Groton, Conn. Check the website for information and directions. The opening is Friday, Feb. 5 (this Friday), from 5-7 p.m. and you are all invited!

I have to say that I'm pretty happy with my paintings for the show. Dogs and cats and cows, one goat and a few sheep... I'm bringing Art for Shelter Animals paintings, too, and hand-outs. You never know!

Black Lab

Black Lab

By Jan Blencowe, to be donated to Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, Conn. 

Jan Blencowe, an award-winning Connecticut artist, has donated three of her gorgeous pet paintings for the FurBall fund raiser for the Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, Conn., writes Carol Lavoie, a talented artist who has donated a series of paintings to the all-volunteer organization.

Jan is best known for her landscape paintings, which have a beautiful luminescent quality, and often, a serene quiet. Her dog portraits have the same sensibility.

Check out her website to see more of her work. To learn about Protectors of Animals, click here. The fundraiser is Saturday, Feb. 13.

Thanks to Jan and to Carol, too!

- Carrie

Xena

 Xena

By Liz Pearson; donation to the Domestic Animal Rescue Group, Cape Town, South Africa

Liz Pearson, from Cape Town, South Africa, is a steady contributor to the Art for Shelter Animals Project. She donates her work to DARG, the Domestic Animal Rescue Group. Here's what Liz wrote that DARG has reported about Xena, the dog in Liz's newest painting:

Xena is a 5 year old female Pitbull cross. Sshe was rescued 2 years ago after being  burnt on her back with hot oil  Adopted and recently returned after new owner decided to move (without her).  Adorable, super playful, super  affectionate, super cuddly, loyal and protective, strong.  Needs to be a  single pet.  Belly rubs a must!

This story makes me want to go to South Africa and adopt this dog myself.

Thanks, Liz, for your beautiful work and your ongoing generosity!

- Carrie

Inside the process

If you want to see the step-by-step progress of Alli Farkas's recent horse painting, click here.

Scroll down to Jan. 13 and work your way up. It's fun to watch!

The photo that Alli started with is on the left; her painting on the right. 

Alli has donated the painting to the Hooved Animal Humane Society of Woodstock, Illinois.

- Carrie

Maria Leysens has another hit!

Maria Kovalenko Leysens has contributed to the project before. She organized her class of young students to all contribute paintings to her local shelter. Remember this heart warming story? This is what she wrote on her blog about coming to paint these gorgeous birds.

I painted these birds as demos for some classes and decided to donate them as a part of "Art for Animals" to the Wildbird Recovery Center. I did a project last year for the Butler County Humane Society and this year I chose the Wildbird Recovery, Songbird Rehabilitation Center in Valencia, PA.

Last spring I found a little robin that was neglected by it's parents... not being fed... I watched the others being fed... so I called the recovery center and they said to bring it in. While I was there another woman brought in a crow that was hit by a car. I never really thought there was such a place for birds... funded by donations... and getting the birds rehabbed and back out.

They were happy to recieve the paintings and I hope will sell through their giftshop to get needed supplies.

What a wonderful story and a wonderful person and artist to make three wonderful paintings to donate to a great organization. Please visit Maria's blog and enjoy her other works of art.