It's Maxine, Not Angelica

This morning I did an oil portrait of the black and white kitty that I posted the sketch of on my sketchingeveryday blog a couple of days ago. I called Don and told him it was done. He was in the area, so he stopped by and picked it up. He gave me his $75. donation for the Burlington County Animal Shelter which I will give to them on Sunday, as I will be joining them at their booth for the county's annual "Earth Fair" at Historic Smithville Park in Westhampton. I will take my paints, sketchbook and flyers about the "Art For Shelter Animals Project". Hopefully I will be able to drum up more interest in the project here locally.


See a picture of Don and more about Maxine (not Angelica) on today's post on "Art For Shelter Animals".

Donations And Things That Matter

My painting I did at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge's Wine And Wildlife event this past Saturday.

"You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others." - Henry Drummond

Wine And Wildlife A Big Success

Yesterday I participated in the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge's Wine And Wildlife Fund Raiser. It was a gorgeous day and about 200 folks enjoyed wine sampling, great food and lively music. Here is a photo of three of the little oil paintings I donated to their silent auction. I set up and painted another little gosling from the photo in my last post. I'll post that for you next. Be sure to check my summer sketching everyday blog! It starts back up tomorrow. From June 1st to September 1st, I'll be posting a drawing online there everyday!

Baby Animals - Cute Fuzzy Gosling

I've been photographing baby animals at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in preparation for their Wine and Wildlife fund raiser this weekend. These shots will be used for painting reference and possible stock photography submissions. I'm also donating their use to the refuge. They can use them in their newsletter, on their web site or as notecards. Here's one of my favorites. Sooo sweet! Now who doesn't love baby animals?

Art For The Animals

"Nature gets into our souls and opens doors to hidden parts of ourselves." ~ Pamela Heyda

This is one of the paintings I will be donating this coming Saturday at Cedar Run's "Wine And Wildlife" event. It is a 5" x 7" oil on canvas board. Find out more about this fund raiser here (post just below this one) on my web log.

"We must preserve the natural world; for without nature, there would be no beauty to inspire us." ~ Hap Hagood

Wine And Wildlife At Cedar Run Refuge

Last week I visited Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge to take some photos of the baby animals. This coming Saturday, May 30th, from 4:30pm to 7:30pm, they will be holding their 8th Annual Wine & Wildlife Festival. I will be participating during the event by painting some of the fur babies that I met last week. They were all sooo adorable! The wonderful folks who care for them really have their hands full this time of year! Even though they were extremely busy, they made my visit very enjoyable. My artwork will be auctioned off at the silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge operations and educational programs. The event features wine tasting and beer sampling, a gourmet picnic by Tony Lawrence and live music by BLUESBOX DELUX . Sponsers, staff, supporters, artists, artisans, animal lovers and live animals will all be present. An enjoyable afternoon will culminate with the awarding of a wide selection of choice auction items awarded to the highest bidders. For more information email barbara.jones@cedarrun.org or call 856-983-9702. The refuge is located at: 4 Sawmill Road, Medford, NJ 08055. It's a wonderful cause and a bargain at only $45. per person. Make your reservations today! VISA, MC, AMEX & Discover Accepted. Animal lovers, you don't want to miss this event. Please RSVP ASAP! Only a limited amount of walk-in tickets are available!

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.

Katie The KindHeart

When I went to the Burlington County Animal Shelter on Tuesday, I met all kinds of cats and dogs. None of them stood out like Katie, #d-26335. She is a nine year old Golden Retriever. Although her situation is grim, Katie "looks on the bright side of life". :-D She was a perfect model and lady. When I took her picture she wagged her tail and smiled with cooperation. She was clean and fluffy as she had just been groomed by the kids at a nearby school. What a wonderful spirit and ambassador for homeless pets! I thought to myself; "Now, here is the perfect NO HASSLE pet! What a sweetheart!" I can imagine Katie in her new home with little children pouring their affections over her. If I was a dog, I'd like to be a Golden Retriever, at least that's what the quiz I took said I'd be. What breed would you be? Go to "Art For Shelter Animals" and see my first post as a team member and the pencil portrait I just did of Katie.

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.

Stunning Saleena - Shelter Pet # 5

The Director of the Burlington County Animal Shelter, Lisa Cliver, sent me a couple of animals she would like to have me paint for our "Art For Shelter Animals" project. I call this beautiful young short hair calico ID# C-25478, Ms. Saleena. I don't know why, the name just came to me while I was working on her portrait. You can be assured that she is very special indeed, if Lisa picked her out of all the others to feature! I am looking forward to meeting both her and Lisa soon!


I am showing you the first step of this painting where I wet both the front and back of my 140 lb. Arches cold press paper, leaving only the cat's silhouette dry. After painting in the background (very wet-in-wet), I paint in the eyes, because if the eyes aren't right, there's no sense in continuing. The eyes are the windows of the spirit and soul and can make or break a portrait. Better to just start over if they are not right when you are working in watercolor!

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.