Mare In Moonlight ~ SOLD

I've been very distracted from painting this past week. Last Friday afternoon, without any warning, my dear husband, Jerry, unexpectedly lost the sight of his right eye. He was just finishing up a job at the Borgata Casino Health Club in Atlantic City when his right eye went totally black / blind. He drove home, then I took him to the Hospital. His blood pressure was sky high and they thought he may have had a mini stroke. He never had high blood pressure before. After extensive testing, they still didn't know what was going on, so they took him to Will's Eye Hospital in Philadelphia for more tests. Basically, what they said was, Jerry had a stroke of the eye. We were at Wills Eye Hospital Retina Center all day on Monday for more tests. The doctors at Wills were very discouraging and said the loss of sight would most likely be permanent. I refuse to believe it though. On Friday, when it happened, the eye was totally black and each day, Jerry is starting to see more. Today he said he 'sorta sees' colors, so I believe that the doctor was wrong and he can recover his sight. Now our main cercern is getting his blood pressure under control so it doesn't blow out the other eye.

Moonlight Mare

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SOLD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope all is well in your world, dear blog friends.

Have a great weekend!

X ♥  O

Princess Crosses The Rainbow Bridge

Princess - 1 - 3 - 2012 - The last time she played with her favorite toy.

Yesterday I took Princess to the vet because she has been failing since February when she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. She has been on medication, but improvement has been minimal. She continued to lose weight and only about 50% of her days were good ones recently. After taking an x-ray and finding a mass in her abdomen, I made the very tough decision to have her put to sleep before her condition got worse. I just didn't want to see my precious kitty suffer. She was good the first two times they took her into the back, to get her weight and an x-ray, but when they took her in that last time, after I said my teary goodbyes, she screamed her lungs out.  I could hear her loud vocal cries of distress as I was filling out the final paper work at the front desk, behind a flood of tears. Do you think she knew what was coming?  She had been extremely affectionate to me at the vet's office, very vocal, rubbing on me and purring, the whole half hour or so that we waited in the exam room.

Princess has been somewhat of a celebrity here on the web. Here she is herding her deer.

Always ready for a brushing, a cuddle or a walk about, she was definitely MY CAT and only tolerated everyone else.

Check out her antics with the ten toms last year.

Last June she had her portrait done.

And last but not least, Princess, was my studio cat and the Art Director here at The Sandarosa.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable
.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

~ Author unknown

Making Art Is Good For The Soul

And a lot of other things too - like hand-eye coordination, sense of accomplishment, growth, really seeing things and going into "the zone".  Woo, I am psyched! I've got some new and exciting ideas for this year's summer sketching series which started today. I hope a few of you will join me on my 3 month journey. Step up, speak out and share your input with me and our readers. Remember that in every aspect of our lives, what we get back, is in direct proportion to what we give out. This quick little watercolor painting was done today using the "2011 Horse Portrait Demo" as a starting point.

Photographing At The Zoo

I just found a helpful article on Nikon's "Learn & Explore" section by Julie Larsen Maher. See great shots and learn many tips for making the most of your visit to the zoo from this accomplished animal photographer.

Lean On Me Lover Boy

This sweetheart is waiting for a home at the Burlington County Animal Shelter. I call #C25359, Lover Boy. When I met him last week, he just wanted to be held. Lover Boy has been "in Prison" for several months now and needs to find a forever home real soon!! This 8" x 10" oil painting was painted as a 100% donation for the shelter as part of the "Art For Shelter Animals" project.

"I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay." ~ Dave Matthews Band

Molly The Mastiff Mix

A few posts back, I featured Molly, the Mastiff Mix ID # D-23899 at the Burlington County Animal Shelter. At that time, I did a sketch of what I thought her three quarter profile might look like. From the photos on petfinder.com, I thought she may be part Labrador Retriever, a popular designer dog called a Mastador. She may be, but boy was my drawing way off! When I visited last Tuesday, I took pictures of this impressive, powerful guard dog mix. Today I finished an oil painting of Molly. She was sweet as can be, but I must admit a bit intimidating. And in this day and age, with crime on the rise, that's certainly not a bad thing! Mastiffs were bred as far back as 3000 BC and have proved themselves through the ages as fearless defenders of personal safety and property. She would be a perfect match for someone strong and physically fit. She's a big dog with a lot of heart in a beautiful, sleek, powerful package. Go to Art For Shelter Animals to see my portrait of Molly.

I'm Officially on the AFSA Team!

I am proud to announce that Carrie and Sheila have added me to their blog, "Art For Shelter Animals" as a team member. I am honored ladies! Thank you so much. See more about this on today's Spirit Art Blog.

Saleena Got Adopted!

I visited my County Animal Shelter today. What a wonderful facility, amazingly lovable pets and great folks. I just know I'm going to enjoy working with them on the "Art For Shelter Animals" project! GREAT NEWS...Ms. Saleena got adopted yesterday! HORRAY!! I took over a hundred photos of some of the beautiful fur babies, so I'll be posting more portraits soon! Here's a photo of Lisa, the shelter manager, with Pretty Boy. What sweethearts they both are! Pretty Boy's ID#25332. A PURR-FECT lap kitty for sure! See Lisa's most recent comment about the project here.

Designer Dogs

I asked Lisa form the Burlington County Animal Shelter, to pick out a couple of animals that she would like to see me paint. One of the photos she sent me is this striking female Mastiff -Mix, ID #D-23899. Hybrid dogs, or designer dogs as some call them, like this sleek animal are becoming quite popular. I have a feeling from seeing the photo, that she is part Lab. They even have a name for this hybrid called a Mastador. Look at the beautiful golden eyes on this young sweetie. What a wonderful companion she would make! I will take better photos of her when I visit so I can do a portrait of her that does her justice for the Art For Shelter Animals project. Here is a sketch I did, trying to guess at what her three- quarter profile looks like.

Art For Shelter Animals Update

Today, here's an update on the "Art For Shelter Animals" project. I spoke to Lisa Cliver, the shelter director today and she had some wonderful news. My portrait #4 , ID#D-26033, named Sasha, has been reclaimed from The Burlington County Animal Shelter. The third portrait I did of baby brothers, Joey #1 , Joey #2 and Boo have been adopted! The first portrait of the American Bulldog, Bulldog ID# D-25923, has been reclaimed. The only one left is the orange tabby #C-25195. Won't you help a pet in need today if you can? I bet all the animals on www.petfinder.com will make PURR-FECT PETS!

I will be meeting Lisa in person next week. I will drop off the paintings I've done, tour the shelter and discuss ways we can help the animals with my work. These images I've posted today are from my animal portrait archives. I've done hundreds over the years. The cat is in honor of Joey#1, Joey#2 and Boo. Wishing them happy homes with loving folks! The Rotweiler portrait is for Lisa, in honor of one of her very own rescued fur babies.

Contact me about doing a commissioned pet portrait of your own fur baby today. Sizes and prices are available upon request. Your support will help me buy art supplies and materials to continue to donate my paintings for the "Art For Shelter Animals" project. Thanks from me and the animals.

Oh Wow, Another Award!

OMG! I just got another award from Sheila and Carrie of "Art For Shelter Animals"! That's the second one from them. Boy do I feel special... Thank you so much girls! :-D

Sheila writes, "You are our first recipient of a blog medal from the Art for Shelter Animals site. This is a small token of our great appreciation for the enthusiasm, energy, talent and a little tenacity in dealing with the shelter administration. I wish we could give you a cash prize like the Pulitzer does but maybe in the future. Sandy, your contribution means so much to Carrie and I because we know the time and effort WILL make a difference in the lives of pets begging to find a home. From the bottom of our hearts and the dogs and cats locked up in their cages....

THANK YOU SO MUCH,

Sheila, Carrie and critters who have a brighter future because of you!"

Shabam!! I hope they realize just how much I appreciate their appreciation!

My First MVP Medal From AFSA!

I just recieved my very first online (or offline) award / medal! It's a (Most Valuable Player / Thank you Award) from the gals running the "Art For Shelter Animals" project, Sheila and Carrie! Wow! I am honored and humbled. Thanks so much. I am proud to be working on such a worthy cause and with such great and kind hearted animal lovers!

Sweet Sasha The Shepherd

This is my forth painting for the "Art For Shelter Animals" project. I decided to do an additional three watercolors, as the oils I did are still not dry. This beautiful girl, ID#D-26033, is named Sasha. The Burlington County Animal Shelter's website says; "What a pretty white German Shepherd Sasha is! She is good with kids, but a bit shy with strangers at the shelter. Her former owner said she is very loyal and is used to being around women and would probably need time to adjust to a home with men. Sasha is very intelligent and likes to play with squeak toys. Can you give this young girl a loving forever home?" I have drafted an email letter to send to the shelter management team and I am waiting for feedback on it from Sheila and Carrie before I send it out. I hope the folks at the shelter are as enthusiastic about this project as I am!

Black Is Beautiful!

The Burlington County Animal Shelter has a great selection of black kitties that need good homes. They've got baby brothers, Joey #1 , Joey #2 and Boo. There are long hairs, short hairs, males, females, youngsters and adults. All are neutered, tested and up to date on shots. One thing's for certain, black is beautiful! (And you won't have to worry about cat hairs showing up on your dark clothes! :-D) Check out all the breathtaking black beauties online today. I bet they'd all make PURR-FECT PETS! View your local shelter pets that are looking for forever homes by going to: www.petfinder.com.

This 5" x 7" oil painting is the third portrait in my "Art For Shelter Animals" series. See more about this on my Spirit Art Blog post for today.

Friendly Orange Tabby

Today's 5" x 7" original oil painting is of #C-25195 and is the second painting of my series for the "Art For Shelter Animals" project. This male American Domestic Short Hair is one of the many healthy, neutered animals available for adoption from the Burlington County Animal Shelter. I used a photo of my cat, Tigger, for reference.


This orange tabby is five years young and described as very friendly. I personally have a passion for orange cats. Of course I have a passion for most cats, dogs, horses, birds and wild critters regardless of color! "Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." ~ Colette

The "Art For The Animals" Project

I became intrigued and emotionally involved the first time I saw this blog, "art for the animals". It's headed up by a couple of blogger buddies. The last couple of days, I couldn't get it out of my mind, so I knew I just had to get involved and do something to help. I haven't contacted our shelter yet. I wanted to do a couple of paintings first.

Today's 5" x 7" oil portrait is of a young female Bulldog ID# D-25923. She's now at our local animal shelter and came in as a stray on March 3rd. I was drawn to her face as she seemed to be saying. "I'm a good dog. Why am I here in jail?" I can tell she would be a super pet and companion. I sure hope she finds a new loving owner and a great home soon.


Burlington County Animal Shelter - This is the link to our local shelter w/ photos of the poor fur babies in desperate need, including this beautiful American Bulldog. You can find your local shelter by going to: http://www.petfinder.com Please have a heart and do what you can to help us help them today. Supplies needed by the shelter such as newspaper and cleaners are listed in their wish list also. Artists, check out the "art for the animals" project. Photos of these poor orphans are here online or if you don't cry easily, visit your local shelter in person. Someone is depending on you to make a move.