Tag Archives: shelter

Another Memorial Drawing 49:365

Sadly, MaPaw Siberian Husky Rescue lost another life yesterday. It happens too often. But, in a way, it’s a good thing. While MaPaw rehomes many young, healthy dogs, they genuinely have a soft spot for special needs dogs and seniors. And they often just don’t have that many years left. The years they have, though, are lived with love. They don’t spend their last days in a shelter, sleeping in a cage. They share a home with a family. If they are still able to jump high enough, many sleep in the foster parents’ bed! So, yes, we are all terribly sad that Sadie has left us. We are also extremely pleased that she spent her final days in comfort, surrounded by love.

Siberian husky drawing

Day 49 of my one a day resolution: Yes! I skipped a few days. You caught me! I haven’t been keeping up with my resolution to draw every day. Been busy, been sick, etc. No excuses! I will be catching up! I officially owe days 38 through 48. I already have a landscape drawing and a dog painting to post, so I’m not too far behind. Guess I’ll be busy drawing today!

Pencil Portrait of a Shelter Dog 2:365

Dog at Lehigh County Humane Society

Day two of my one a day resolution: Say hello to Jasmine. When I saw her picture, she was a guest at the Lehigh County Humane Society in Allentown, PA. She likely still is. Her photo struck me. She has sweet, soft eyes. She looks like a dog who needs a friend and would be a good friend. I tried to capture that feeling with this quick sketch. When I draw or paint dogs, I try to convey their personality through their eyes and their muzzle. I think if you can capture those areas of their face, you can tell their story. The rest is just structure.

Another Sad Dog

Shelter Me: No Name, Acrylic on canvas (in progress), 12" x 30", 2012

I have a vision in my mind of a series called Shelter Me. I want to honor the many dogs who never make it out of shelters, but I have so much trouble painting sad dogs. I hate to see them that way and it pains me to look into their eyes and see the depth of their fear and sadness. I started trying again to day. While this one is sad, I think I may be capturing a little feeling of hope. This may be the direction that I need go to make these paintings work.

Rescue Me: Kiernan

Rescue Me: Kiernan, 12" x 30" x 2", Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas, 2012

I finished up another painting for MaPaw Siberian Rescue today. This is Kiernan, a young boy who was rescued by MaPaw and is currently looking for a new home. Hopefully this painting can raise a few much-needed dollars to help the rescue. It will be auctioned at their Beef & Beer next month. Visit MaPaw for more information.

I’m In Love!

dog, shelter, pit bull, art, painting

Shelter Me 1, Acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24", 2012

I bought a palette knife the other day. I didn’t really have anything in mind when I bought it, but thought it might be fun to fiddle with. I LOVE it!!! I wasn’t happy with the direction my first Shelter Me painting was going so I decided to give the palette knife a try. What fun! I love the texture and the way you can ALMOST control the paint, but not quite. I can’t wait to try it on a figure painting….think I know how I’m spending my weekend!

This painting is available on Etsy! Click here for purchase details.

Shelter Me!

Shelter Me 1, Acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24", unfinished


My vision for the Shelter Me series is to capture the faces and emotions of the animals who wait in shelters for their new homes. This is my first attempt. It’s not quite there yet, but I can almost see where it is going. I took the photo that I am using for reference years ago at a local kill shelter. The dog in the photo, being part pit bull, likely never made it out of the shelter (although I hope I am wrong about that!) It makes me so sad to think about all of the animals that spend weeks in shelters, scared, alone, only to be euthanized. I hope painting these pictures will honor them in some way.

Trying Something New

Henrik in the Wood, Acrylic on Wood, 8" x 24", 2012

Quite a few years ago, I bought a stack of book-matched pieced of wood from a luthier who was going out of business. I’m not exactly sure what I planned to do with them all, but they have been sitting in the basement waiting for me ever since. So, I decided to see what would happen if I tried painting on them. Well, I quite like the results! In areas where I thinned the paint with water, it absorbed nicely into the would, giving it a stained effect. Where I applied the paint heavily, it sat nicely on the surface.

This piece was a gift for friends who have a beautiful dog named Henrik. He was a shelter dog and has begun to thrive with their love. This may be the style that I adopt for my “Rescue Me/Shelter Me” series. I still haven’t decided. I am excited to get started working on it. I know exactly who my first subject will be! His name is Luke and he is a guest of MaPaw Siberian Husky Rescue. He and his friend, Dora, came into MaPaw from a local shelter. Soon after arrival, they were both found to have Canine Influenza. Sadly, Dora did not make it. Luke spent several days in critical condition, but is now improving. Their vet bills are quite high and my hope is that the sale of Rescue Me: Luke will help offset them just a bit.

PupArt: Amercan Bulldog

Acrylic on Canvas Board 5" x 7"

PupArts are little acrylic paintings that I sold to raise money for various shelters and rescues. Over the years I have painted many PupArts…all of dogs or cats who have touched my heart in some way. Every PupArt is a real animal who I met while they were awaiting their new family.