Was that a REAL Dog Skeleton in your painting?

"The Artist's Taboret"
9" x 12"
Available through the Harbor Village Art Gallery
SOLD
After getting a few emails on the topic of "The Taboret" I thought I should
clarify the inspiration and contents of the painting.

This painting was a late night exercise done using still life objects in my studio. The dog skeleton is a veterinary model which I study when changing the pose of a subject. It is not a real skeleton and no dog was harmed by my possession of this useful tool. I also have a full size medical human skeleton which nobody has questioned *grin*

The glass ball is an antique glass Japanese fishing float and the african violet is one of my favorites but I regret I cannot tell anyone the variety as it was an impulse purchase made on a gloomy day as I left the supermarket.

Hope this has helped set some minds at ease.
I have four more paintings nearing completion and will be posting again tonight.

What is your preferred paint brand?

What is your preferred paint brand?

I actually use three brands of paint- and of these I do not use hues- only the pure pigment colors. The brands I prefer are M. Graham, Old Holland and Utrecht. All have a high pigment
load.

"The Artists"
8" x 10"
Oil on Linen
SOLD

This painting was done to test M. Graham oil paint which had been sent to me by the manufacturer. I found the paint to be incredible to work with. The subjects are the cats that belong to the M. Graham family and I decided that any cat that lived with the Grahams must be artists!
Painting not available for sale.

"How Can You Paint Animals That Nobody Wants?"

"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