New work from my SPCA

I got about 4 more photos from my local SPCA the other day.  I already finished a cat and you can see Vargas at the AFSA blog.  I just wanted to show you the small jpg I am given to work with.  I know it's not a perfect portrait but the  staff almost always recognizes who the critter is.

6x8 oil on RayMar

Challenging Commission

I was delighted to have been asked by my contact from the SPCA to do a commission for an employee.  She sent a Jpeg of the lady and her favorite cat I am assuming.

I emailed her back and asked her if she wanted any particular color for the background or if she wanted to have her shirt black and if the price of $50 was okay for a 6x8.  [I know it's low but I'm giving the employees a good price]

She emailed back and said she would get back to me.

I started on just the form because I thought it would be challenging with the two subjects.  Then like some projects, I kept going back to it all the while waiting to hear from the employee.  Well the gal went on vacation and I went ahead and finished it.   I guess I can always change it right?

I know, I know, next time I'll ask for a direct contact number so I can work with them directly.  I'm still learning!

Panser

Panser is another painting for the Art for Shelter Animals Project.  

According to staff Panser's a pointer who is  "spry senior" just looking for home to call his own.  

I'll be at Nicia's Pet Depot for another, "Meet the Artist" event.  Hopefully I'll have good news with a commission or two (crossing fingers).

6x8 oil on RayMar

Micro mini gallery?

Okay, so I may never have a gallery showing but I was pretty jazzed when the SPCA I am working with  emailed me  photos of the donated display case that is set up for the paintings in the lobby of the shelter.

Isn't it cute?  The photo is a little low res but you can see Max on the left, Kayla on the right and a couple of watercolor artcards on easels at the bottom.

They don't have a display case for their other shelter but they are going to discuss how to display my work with staff either this or next week.

Even though I not getting any money from this, the feeling of actually seeing a dream of mine [ Art Saving Animals Project ] coming to fruition is payment enough.

Question for my blog friends who paint with oil...

"Big Boy"  is another subject for my ASAP .  [Art Saving Animals Project]  He's oil on 6x8 RayMar.  I apologize about the glare because he was wet when I took the picture.

So the SPCA has told me for the third or fourth time they want to officially launch the project these week.  

The contact person asked me if I could paint duplicates of a couple of paintings that are already sold [remember all the money from sales goes directly to the shelter] because  a couple people were  interested in buying Bingo and Kayla.

I told her I wasn't exactly a Xerox machine (nicely and not sarcastically) and if I could try different poses and colors.  She was hoping I could get it as close as the original.

So my question.... I don't know if I can do this.   Any suggestions on how I should approach this request?   I don't even know if I recall what colors I used.  Pretty bad huh? 

Oh and another thing.. when I do these donation pieces, I do them with enthusiasm.  When she asks me to duplicate my painting, the spark on painting something new is gone and I think it will actually feel like work.

What do you think of  either asking for a portion of the sale price  on duplicates or asking her to have potential buyers of duplicates referred to me?   I don't want to bite the hand that's giving me free publicity....

Lucy

Lucy is another cat from my local SPCA.  She was chosen by staff because she's challenged by being deaf.  They say she has a sweet disposition and those beautiful green and blue eyes but needs a special home to be sensitive to her challenges.

She's another part of our Art for the Shelter Animals project.

oil on 4x6 canvasboard. 

Sad Max

Please read more about this poor pooch at Art for the Animals blog.

I plan to do double posting for a few days until we get AFA blog going.

Thank you for your understanding!  

HUGS!

Kayla

Kayla is a 7 year old pit bull mix awaiting adoption at our East Bay SPCA since November of last year.  She has been treated for benign tumors but is healthy now and ready for a home.  

She is also the first in my Art for Adoption project where I work with the SPCA employees who pick special needs animals to try and get them a little more attention.  Also my donated art gives the SPCA visitors a chance to do something specifically for Kayla if they don't have the means or capabilities for caring for a special needs dog.  Purchase of her painting will buy her a bed for her kennel.  

I'll also be doing Artist Cards for the shelter.  I  often visit the SPCA or County Shelter with my kids.  I feel frustrated because I'm trying to teach them to help our animals but without room or financial capabilities now, we go home empty handed.  Hopefully with the art and/or cards, the kids can take home a card and feel that they helped buy a day of food for their favorite shelter pet or other treatment to help them get adopted.   The SPCA folks and I are still working on getting an exact program in place but we wanted to start right away because we're both excited about it.  Stay tuned!

This is an oil, 6x8 on RayMar.

I just got from a meeting with some administrator of our local SPCA. They were enthused with some of the ideas I have in working with them directly to help promote long term yet to be adopted animals and fund raising.

Part of my proposal included the oil paintings I posted earlier this week and the other includes these ACEO (Artist's Card Editions Orginals). My

The two on the bottom, Apollo and Paco are actually residents at the shelter waiting for adoption. If you really awesome ACEOs go to Akiko's or Erika's site. They will really blow you away with their beautiful pieces.

The admin folks said they will be presenting my proposal to the Board Members in their weekly meeting and I hopefully will hear from them later this week! Stay tuned!

Oh give me a home....

Gotta give the dogs their due. This guy is also waiting for a home at our local shelter. I want to see if I can work with the local SPCA and have paintings of the waiting animals grab more attention maybe or raise funds for them. I'll let you know if/how it works out.







6x8 oil on canvas board