Stalled

Well, this is where it’s been for several days now.  My head cold is holding me up.  In the meantime I’m quilting and working on animal rescue.  And I met with Carl Gleghorn of Dragonfly Gallery and sent a few pieces with him.

I helped a chubby chihuahua mix leave the shelter and she’s heading to a foster home.  My Billy Joel was adopted today and he’s with his new Mom tonight.  A female lab will go to a foster home on Monday.  And this guy is my focus right now.  His name is Tanner and he wants to leave the shelter.  Wonderful donors have generously covered his heartworm treatment — now we need a foster home.  As soon as I get this guy to a place where he isn’t scared, I’ll go back to painting.  

Under Repair

That may be the title of this piece, seriously.  I’ve learned more about “fixing things” on this one that I ever wanted to know!  My wax was too thin in one area and it didn’t become evident until my final four or five layers of “apply and scrape back”.  I learned a new use for a bamboo tool yesterday and the value of preserving a little of my base wax colors until I finish a piece (you never know if you’ll need them).  This has been a valuable learning piece and I’ve salvaged it so far.    I still have a day or so to go, so I won’t speak too soon.

And the studio was used this week for a Friends of Retrievers foster home meeting.  Our group gathered to discuss fostering, procedure, and get to know each other a little better.  I am BEYOND fortunate to have friends in two caring and forward thinking communities — artists and animal rescuers.  Both groups think outside the box and look for answers instead of excuses.  

Speaking of fosters, the third passenger on the way to the studio every morning is Dana.  She’s my current foster dog, a rescue from our local animal shelter.  Dana appeared basically healthy but I soon discovered she had severe allergies, digestive upset, two broken teeth, sores along the gum line, and she was very sad and depressed.  Our Dana is NOW on a grain free diet and feeling 100% better!!  She’s had a dental and those bad teeth are gone, and she’s skipping through her day like a happy little dog should.  Fostering is one of the most positive experiences of my life - next step for Dana…..her very own happy home :).

Yesterday and then TODAY

Yesterday I began this piece and was feeling good about the direction it was going.  I had a little problem with the wax being too thin in one area of the sky but I managed to correct it.  I was looking forward to continuing today.

And then I got an email from a dog rescue friend and there was a slight change of plans…..

I spent today with these two!  Two rescues needed a ride from one city to another and I figured I could take a break and help them out.  There are so many ways to contribute to the lessening of animal suffering and sadness - small and large ways, with time or with money.  Animal neglect, irresponsibility, and overpopulation are incredible problems that could be easily solved with a small commitment from each of us - if we all work together.  

And back to my art — I had a wonderful day helping these two get closer to their adoptive homes.  After we arrived at our destination, we snuggled in the front seat of the van for thirty minutes, licking and making happy dog sounds.   Tomorrow, I’ll return to my encaustic table with a smile and my own dogs snoring noisily at my feet.  Taking a day off to do something important makes coming back to my painting BETTER than ever.  

The Art of Caring

For years I was a road warrior, heading down the interstate with a ton of art in the van and a pile of CD’s to keep me entertained.  Many times I hit the brakes when I saw a stray dog wandering along the side of the highway.  Turning around at the next exit, I’d search and often chase him in the median - but could never lure a dog into my van.  The kittens around the motel dumpsters broke my heart but of course, I couldn’t help them.  They were impossible to catch and I had nowhere to put a wild kitten while I did a street festival.

The guilt and sadness was incredible.  Cars whiz by and people pretend to not see these animals in need of help.  The MINUTE my schedule slowed down, I investigated rescue groups in my town and chose one.  I dove into the work and began fostering — I had a lot of little disappointed faces in my mind that kept me going.  For every animal I had left behind or couldn’t help, I was going to save another.  I’ve been working for homeless, hungry, and frightened animals ever since.

Last night, these two babies were crying in the woods.  Hungry and obviously looking for their mama, I don’t think they had ever been touched by a human.  In spite of their fear, they knew to ask for help.  We fed them, borrowed a trap this morning and by this afternoon they were in the hands of a rescue group.  

My rescue work has taken many of my art making hours in the last few years but my life is rich beyond words.  I’ve learned how to help these animals - it’s never easy but I now know where to start - and the rewards are greater than I can describe.  The time that I have to make art is even more precious to me now and the art of compassion has made me a happier, more complete person.  

Wild Kingdom

George Gray was born in a shed and was one wild baby kitten!  His Mama is Vespa, a well known Five Points lady :) and his Dad was “Big George”. I took his litter in and fostered them.  George would have gone to an adopter like his brothers and sisters but he met with an unfortunate accident while staying at my house!  While he was sitting on the floor minding his own business, another cat tipped a piece of ornamental ironwork over on him.  Poor George suffered a severe head injury — I rushed him to the vet with blood coming out of both eyes and his nose and he was slipping out of consciousness.  I thought little George was gone.  The vet didn’t offer much hope but she gave him a steroid shot to control the swelling and I took him home to see what would happen.  

George recovered!  He’s never been exactly normal but what’s normal for a cat anyway?  One of his issues as a result of his accident is he doesn’t understand “cat etiquette”.  Good manners?  What’s that?  Wait your turn?  Why?  George has to live with a handpicked group of cats or he gets in big trouble.  He STAYS in trouble with Carmela but that’s unavoidable.  Actually, his total lack of fear comes in handy with Carmela.  The other boys at the studio are totally submissive - perfect companions for George.  Of course, he has stayed with me.  He doesn’t make new human friends easily and no one understands him like I do.  He did forgive me for not having a kitten safe zone, thank goodness.  I think George and I will be pals forever.