While I was painting the “Kitty Tree” (Previous Post) at the Humane Society, the director, Bruce, asked if I could paint the words “Meet & Greet Room” on the door of the room where once a person chooses a dog they might like to adopt, they bring them in there to play with and hopefully adopt.
The door was in such bad shape that I decided to strip it, and start over. I had this Lime Green Paint which I think goes pretty well with the green stripe in the hallway, I gave it three coats and its as good as new.
Then thinking about how I was going to put the words on the door I thought off the “Albert & Vicky” Portrait I had done. I think they look like they are greeting each other, the colors worked well with the color scheme of the room, and its perfect for the room where potential people meet their soon to be pets.
My Husband, Kent, being the brilliant designer he is, put the whole image together in a very fun design. I had the poster laminated and we added Velcro tape to stick it on the door so when it starts looking bad we can pull it off and make a new piece without any damage to the door, pretty smart right, my husband came up with that idea as well, like I said brilliant!
I hope these two happy Corgis will greet everyone that comes into this very fun room. Let me know what you think ;)
On January 16th my friend Jen introduced me to Bruce Fishalow the Executive Director of the Humane Society in Marion County. I’ve been wanting to do something for the them since I started Maggie’s Angels and for one reason or another nothing ever developed. Timing is everything.
Upon meeting Bruce, he gave me a tour and showed me all the renovations they’ve done, and they were particularly proud of the new cat rooms. Bruce had this idea of painting a tree in the corner of the kitten room and it just happens that I could do that for him, timing!
We talked about what he wanted to do and the vision was clear, he wanted the kitten room to be warm and fun so the kittens and the people coming in to adopt them would feel at home. That is also the mission of Lyn Beurrier, the cat specialist at the center who has an enormous heart and wants all her kitties to be happy and find loving homes.
Bruce and Lyn along with everyone who works and volunteers at the Humane Society love these animals and really want them to thrive so when you come in to adopt one of them you also feel the warmth that surrounds this place.
I’ve become fast friends with these two fabulous hard working animal lovers and I’ve caught the enthusiasm they have to make this No Kill shelter succeed. I spent two full days painting this mural. I’d come in on Wednesdays, the only day the center is closed to the public, and painted a giant tree with kittens playing in it with a few butterflies fluttering by. I also added some framed Maggie’s Angels Cat portrait prints on the other walls to bring some more happy kitties into the room.
Everyone seems to love it and are so thankful, but it is I who am thankful when I see what these lovely people do on a daily basis for all these animals. I have so much respect for them in how they take care of all these animals, some of them in really bad shape, and heal them not only physically but mentally and spiritually.
Everytime I have shared my talent and volunteer I am always rewarded in so many different ways. I’ll be back next Wednesday to paint some more, and I have a feeling that I’ll keep going back and doing more projects for them.
From December 1, 2009 to January 5, 2010 my Paintings and Giclees will be on exhibition at the Downtown Bank of America in Ocala, Florida.
This is a video of the Reception were you can see the paintings I have on display. The Reception was on Dec. 4th and it was wonderful! Its amazing seeing all of my work in one space.
Many people showed up and the best part was I sold two paintings that day.
“The Enchanted Trail”
and “Bianca”.
I’ve had so many wonderful comments about my work which brings a smile to my heart.
I hope you get to go see it, if you do, would love to know what you think, and if you can’t then I hope this video will make you feel like you did! :)
This is my blue eyed Overo Paint that I’ve had since he was three years old, he is twelve now. I love this horse deeply. He is in my soul. I always refer to him as my “dog horse”, because he is loyal like a dog, follows me around like a dog and is always hungry :)
This painting shows how I see Luna, confident, playful and in motion. Enjoy!
I created three paintings with a kaleidoscope of color and motion filled backgrounds. The most important element in all my paintings is the eyes. Its the one feature I spend the most time on, because it is the eyes that engage you and tells the emotion of the subject.
I’ve had this very ornate frame for a very long time. I found in an estate sale but its quite rough, and I need to repair it, fill in cracks & then I want to Gold leaf it. I think it will be magnificent once its finished although it does look pretty good now up close its a mess.
The painting is on wood. I textured the Gesso as I was sealing the wood creating wonderful surfaces for the paint to hold on to. I’ve layered the colors in my usual fashion, but kept the painting as Monochromatic as I could. Wanted an old technique and look updated with my whimsy. The expression is playful just like my wonderful Luna is. Let me know what you think!
“Valentino” is 24″ wide by 48″ tall. Its a nice size painting with Valentino anchoring and relaxing at the bottom of the Canvas. I have stared a lot at this painting asking wether or not to add something to that empty space, but each time I draw an image to place there, there is a little voice saying leave it alone, so I am. I think the empty space grabs you and Valentino holds you in it!
I first painted the whole canvas orange and then added the colt and then the green background to it. The orange comes through in many spots and somewhat outlines the colt. There is a lot of textures that are hard to show in this picture. If you come to my Reception on December 4th at the Downtown Bank of America in Ocala you can see it for yourself :)
“I Miss My Angels” is 2′ wide by 5′ 2″ inches tall. I used Charcoal, and Water Color Pencils. It is very different than the bold colorful portraits I usually do because the subject matter is that of remembering my two dogs who still hold a piece of my heart.
I had the idea for this piece since 2006, but didn’t know how to go about creating it. I kept painting it in my head, but never had the “want” to actually do it, until recently. I started drawing it with Charcoal pencils, then it led to water color pencils blending the different mediums using water. I do love how soft and quiet it is, very different from the happy go lucky pups & kitties that are all around my studio.
The Westie in the arms of the girl is Perry and the White German Shepherd/ Lab Mix is Fe. These were my Angels and I do miss them very much. If you would like to read about them please click on this link, http://www.maggiesangels.com/MaggiePages/MAabout.html
I wanted the dynamics of the Composition to be bold, to be engaging in a subtle way. It is a contradiction, being bold yet subtle, but the size of this piece makes those two words hold true. The colors and expressions are soft and quiet, yet the girl and the dogs are almost life size. I hung the pice at eye level with the girl’s eyes so she is looking right at us. Fe is in the foreground also looking at us with her gentle eyes yet she is also between us the viewer and her loved ones. I placed her so much in the foreground because she was always in from of me, protecting me, but with such a gentle heart. Perry was so confident yet very calm for a Westie, he sits in her arms quiet and relaxed remembering…
This piece hangs outside my studio in the hallway were I can see it if my door is open. I love it, I pass it continuously throughout the day and I thought it would make me sad, but instead it has brought back the feelings of how Lucky I was to have known these two wonderful Angels.
The Month of December I will be exhibiting brand new art work at the downtown Bank of America in Ocala, Florida. I’m having a Reception on December 4th from 12:00 pm- 5:00pm. I’ll be there giving out Free bookmarks and have refreshments for everyone that comes. I hope to see you there.
I will show my signature Maggie’s Angels colorful style, but bolder & bigger- well Huge! The paintings are very large, and hopefully people will find them engaging. I am a bit nervous about showing all by myself, because it is the first time in a solo show.
As an artist you put a little piece of your heart, mind and soul for people to look at and sometimes judge, I just have to remember to keep breathing
So, I was asked to write an “About Me” piece for the Show so people can see a picture and learn a little about me. It has always been hard for me to say as much as I can with as little words as possible, although it is getting easier now that I’m practicing on Twitter, it has certainly helped with that, LOL!
I would love for you to take a look and let me know what you think. Thanks!
Now you can order a set of five Maggie’s Angels Bookmarks. Each durable heavy card stock bookmark is printed on both sides and measures 2.375″ x 8″. Protective UV gloss coating assures lasting quality. The bookmarks are valued at $2 each. However, the complete set of five bookmarks (valued at $10) is only $5 Total …and shipping and handling (in U.S.) is FREE!
