"How can you paint animals that nobody wants?
Don't you want to take them all home?"
"What if they are euthanized- wont you feel bad?"
"Why Do You Only Paint Dogs that are on Death Row"
"How can you look at a painting if the animal has died in the shelter?"
First off- I am a full time professional artist and my homeless pet studies are only a small portion of my work which includes historic themes and wildlife.
However I am asked these questions so frequently so I have decided to address them in my blog here.
Anyone who is an artist knows that to paint a painting
is to place a part of yourself on linen. When painting
I bond greatly with my subject.
I will go to the shelter or pound with my camera and play
with the pets while getting images to paint from.
As I paint I am constantly thinking of the pet.
This being said allow me to address the questions:
"Why Do You Only Paint Dogs that are on Death Row"
Not all of the homeless pets are on "death row"- a high kill shelter.
Nor are they all dogs- I paint cats, Rabbits Horses and other animals.
Some are in private rescues and some are in foster care.
But YES- I do paint from kill shelters.
Why do I paint them?
To give a beautiful and deserving animal one more
chance at a happy ending.
"Don't you want to take them all home?"
Yes- I would love to take all the animals home that I paint
however I already have the city limit of pets- all rescued.
"What if they are euthanized- won't you feel bad?"
Feel bad does not even come close to describing how it feels
to learn that one of my subjects has run out of time
and is now at Rainbow Bridge.
Most of the animals I paint DO find loving homes-
but there is the risk that the pet will run out of time. This is a risk that I willingly take-
and will continue to take regardless of how many do not find a home.
I am not sadistic- I am optimistic.
Maybe I could not help that one- but there are more looking at me-
with loving trusting eyes hoping for that one shot at finding a new owner to adore.
How can I let my sorrow let them down?
A Chance is all I can offer- there is never a guarentee.
"How can you look at a painting if the animal has died in the shelter?"
I don't. It is not beneficial to dwell on sadness even though
I mourn the pet. If I am in possession
of a painting of an animal I could not help -the painting goes in the attic- nailed to the rafters facing Rainbow Bridge.
I always remember the pets that never found the home they deserved
and mourn the loss. But I try to concentrate on
the next pet in need to honor those who did not make it.
Stella Violano
Don't you want to take them all home?"
"What if they are euthanized- wont you feel bad?"
"Why Do You Only Paint Dogs that are on Death Row"
"How can you look at a painting if the animal has died in the shelter?"
First off- I am a full time professional artist and my homeless pet studies are only a small portion of my work which includes historic themes and wildlife.
However I am asked these questions so frequently so I have decided to address them in my blog here.
Anyone who is an artist knows that to paint a painting
is to place a part of yourself on linen. When painting
I bond greatly with my subject.
I will go to the shelter or pound with my camera and play
with the pets while getting images to paint from.
As I paint I am constantly thinking of the pet.
This being said allow me to address the questions:
"Why Do You Only Paint Dogs that are on Death Row"
Not all of the homeless pets are on "death row"- a high kill shelter.
Nor are they all dogs- I paint cats, Rabbits Horses and other animals.
Some are in private rescues and some are in foster care.
But YES- I do paint from kill shelters.
Why do I paint them?
To give a beautiful and deserving animal one more
chance at a happy ending.
"Don't you want to take them all home?"
Yes- I would love to take all the animals home that I paint
however I already have the city limit of pets- all rescued.
"What if they are euthanized- won't you feel bad?"
Feel bad does not even come close to describing how it feels
to learn that one of my subjects has run out of time
and is now at Rainbow Bridge.
Most of the animals I paint DO find loving homes-
but there is the risk that the pet will run out of time. This is a risk that I willingly take-
and will continue to take regardless of how many do not find a home.
I am not sadistic- I am optimistic.
Maybe I could not help that one- but there are more looking at me-
with loving trusting eyes hoping for that one shot at finding a new owner to adore.
How can I let my sorrow let them down?
A Chance is all I can offer- there is never a guarentee.
"How can you look at a painting if the animal has died in the shelter?"
I don't. It is not beneficial to dwell on sadness even though
I mourn the pet. If I am in possession
of a painting of an animal I could not help -the painting goes in the attic- nailed to the rafters facing Rainbow Bridge.
I always remember the pets that never found the home they deserved
and mourn the loss. But I try to concentrate on
the next pet in need to honor those who did not make it.
Stella Violano
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