IF ~ Muddy

He contemplated the past, but the details were a little muddy...

This illustration is from the soon to be released book "The Enchanted Tree of Crooked Lake" written by Rachel Longhurst (R.A.K. Publishing) and Illustrated by Donna Pellegata (that's me)

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine depending on your preference

and take a long luxurious gander at my website

ArtQwerks

Main Street Art

My pet portrait work is being displayed in the window of Main Street Art for the month of February!

Come in and browse through the beautiful original art handcrafted by artists from around the U.S. and Canada, shop through Main Street Art's wide variety of art supplies and see some of their gorgeous specialized, creative custom framing works. If you have artwork, photos, heirlooms or ANYTHING that needs to be framed, they are the ones to do it in a creative professional style that will tickle your fancy! ...and who doesn't like to have their fancy tickled?

hmmmmmm...?

While you're at Main Street Art, you can check out my portrait prices , then contact me for a custom commissioned pet portrait of your very own! They make fabulous one of a kind gifts for any occasion or discriminating pet lover!

Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine depending on the time of day and take a long luxurious gander at my website and see more of my work here:

ArtQwerks

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too!

starting the next book...

Donna and Diane

hard at work on the second book

Donna and Diane muggin' it up

Diane E Dunn, author of The Harp Mouse Chooses her home: The Adventure Begins and I, started the next book in the Harp Mouse series yesterday. We really do have the best time working together, yukkin' (and muggin') it up! Yesterday we gathered our thoughts and dove right in to the newest book. The last book has almost sold out! The time is now to get one so you can have a copy of each book in the series, for your collection! We sold books to fans as we were working yesterday so get yours now before they're gone!

...and while your at it, get to know Diane...

visit Author Dianne Dunn's Facebook page

and her website Heart & Harp where you can purchase YOUR copy of the book!

When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

IF ~ Focused

Focus on this...

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

IF ~ Wilderness

Wilderness

This is a preliminary illustration for the book I finished illustrating just before Christmas, titled "The Enchanted Tree of Crooked Lake" written by Rachel Longhurst. It is not a final illustration, you can only see THAT in the book when it is released this spring! ;-D

Rachel also wrote "Where My Story Begins" and you can read more about her here!

When you purchase an item from my STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

The Chamsah Project

The Chamsah Project

SOLD

Exhibition and Sale

January 10-March 7, 2010

Come see the work of many artists including

Donna Pellegata (that's me folks), Linda Onderko and Dan Persinger

The Janice Charach Gallery asked artists throughout the world to decorate plain, wooden chamsahs. Each chamsah begins the same, but through the careful hands of the artist is revealed to be a singular, masterful creation of great beauty. The result is a reflection of life itself: our commonality as human beings, and our extraordinary uniqueness as individuals.

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

IF ~ Confined

Well, well, well...I've got a jump on IF today because I can't seem to get out from in front of the computer to do anything else. There's a big hunk of snow storm on the ground outside so I'm calling it my own personal "snow day."

Translation: CONFINED/Blogday/procrastinateday/doanythingtokeep fromworkingorworkingoutday.

Anyhoo...the illo above is from The Harp Mouse Chooses Her Home: The Adventure Begins, the book I illustrated and Diane E Dunn wrote. As you can see, the Harp Mouse is confined, but what you can't see is that she's confined for a very good reason. Guess you'll have to read the book for that! ...and I happen to know the very place you can get a copy of it (click on the book in the column on the right!)

Below is the cutest picture of Diane and her new adopted kitty Noodles. He's quite the handsome specimen, don't you agree? I have a thing for rescue animals.

Diane and Noodles

(how cute is that picture!)

Just Noodles

Diane and I had the best time collaborating on the Harp Mouse book. She is so fabulous to work with and we have become great friends. There are not enough nice words in the dictionary to describe her so I'll have to make some up. She's absolutely phenomenastically talentabulous. A diverstual multifaceticulated author, musician, publisher, consultant and more. You can see more about her and what she does here:

Heart&Harp

Diane and I at our latest book signing before Christmas.

I love working with her! If you can call it work, it's too much fun to be called working!

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website...

ArtQwerks

IF ~ Renewal

Today we have the renewal of the word "Pioneer" because I just got around to finishing this and by gosh by golly I'm posting it for IF.

...just call me trailblazer...

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee (or wine, depending on the time of day or your alchoholic tendencies) and take a long luxurious gander at my website...

ArtQwerks

Under the Watchful Eye

See my work here this weekend!

Exhibition and Sale

January 10 – March 7, 2010

The Janice Charach Gallery asked artists throughout the world to decorate plain, wooden chamsahs. Each chamsah begins the same, but through the careful hands of the artist is revealed to be a singular, masterful creation of great beauty. The result is a reflection of life itself: our commonality as human beings, and our extraordinary uniqueness as individuals.

Opening Receptions:Sunday, January 10

Gallery Patron Preview and Presale – NoonPublic Opening – 1 p.m.

For more information, please call 248.432.5579or visit http://www.jccdet.org/.

Visit the Gallery Opening livestream at https://74.204.85.21/.

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

New Year!

Now that the new year has begun, it might behoove me to to start picking up the ball where I dropped it before the holidays and pay a little more attention to my blog here. I don't know about the rest of you but that was one whirlwind of a season (just like every year) and I had a great time, but I sure am glad it's done and I can get back to work. I decided to list a bunch of my contemporary art pieces on ebay today, so please take a moment to check those out. Since I closed my ebay store, I'll just send you right over to my "about me" page and all you'll have to do is scroll down and click on the artwork listed for sale. Pictures of my horses are on that page too, although Buddy (the one with the blond mane) left us for the great hay bale in the sky about a year ago. I just can't bring myself to take his picture down. HE was a great horse. I swear I could look him in the eye and he knew what I was thinking. Usually I was thinking, he must be thinking "she's nuts if she thinks she's gonna put a saddle on me!"

I'll miss him forever.

...ANYWAY...

go here to peek at my contemporary works: About Me on eBay

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

IF ~ Undone

These two have a love for the holidays and for each other that cannot be undone.

OH OK!!!!! I've been away for a week or so, so I'm playing catch up by posting fairly early (for me anyway) for the current Illustration Friday. I'm somewhat discombobulated with the time, as I'm sure we ALL are during this hectic holiday season, so instead of using this illustration that was supposed to be for Entangled two weeks ago (or last week, or whenever it was), I'm now using it for Undone THIS week. It works if you hold your head right. I'll just consider this a Christmas present to myself because there's so much to do, what with all the holiday busy-ness between now and next week.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks Store (I know of a great book that would make an awesome present for some adorable someone on your list), 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website
ArtQwerks

Got Milk?

Alrighty then...I'm going to milk this holiday market until the cows come home and since the only animals living here are horses, dogs, one fish and an occasional mouse in the barn, that's going to be a very long time...at least until the holidays are over. The Holiday Art Market contains an array of many beautiful paintings, fiber art (wearable and to drool overable) and other amazing works from the artists that were exhibiting at the HVCA Arts and Greens the weekend before Thanksgiving. See their new stuff too! They have all come together under one warm and toasty roof at the HVCA Gallery in Highland MI. Come join us on Sunday, December 6th for the official opening of the market and meet the artists, listen to great music and to Heiner Hertling while he reads his illustrated children's book, A Pirates Quest, a delightful, gorgeously illustrated gift for any child (or adult, I bought mine when it first came out last year), watch artists demonstrate their talents and shop while you nosh on snicky snacks. You can peruse the HVCA Art Shop Gallery too while you're there! So come and get started, continue or finish up your holiday shopping here, where you will find fantastic unique and beautifully crafted art gifts for everyone at every age on your list! The HVCA Holiday Art Market is open December 1st through the 24th.

...oh yeah, I'll be there too!

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

ArtRage

This is a little sketch done from Art Rage , a little paint program you might enjoy yourself. I think I've found a new addiction. I actually did this for the week Illustrations Friday's word was "skinny" about two weeks ago and I didn't get around to posting, but hey... there's only so much time in a day. It's that time of year when I need to rearrange the studio so I can get the rest of my work done and find a place to organize all the stuff I drug out to the last show this past weekend. I'll post some pictures of that too, eventually.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

Take a peak at my website here: http://www.donnapellegata.com/

IF ~ Unbalanced

She was a little unbalanced as she came in for a landing

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to one of my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and will most certainly be appreciated.

Take a peek at my new website!

Arts and Greens 2009

2009’s Arts & Greens Holiday Market
Brings The Ultimate Creative Arts Showcase

Award Winning Author Steven Hamilton, live music with Stray Dogs, 40 Artist Booths

Nov. 11, 2009 – Huron Valley Council for the Arts (HVCA) and Bogie Lake Greenhouses, Inc. present Arts and Greens Holiday Market, Friday, Nov 20-Sunday, Nov 22, 1525 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake, MI. Discover the magic in giving original art this holiday season. Free admission and parking. Handicap accessible, family event. Fri. 5pm-8pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Information at 248-889-8660.
In its fourth year, Arts and Greens takes position as the preeminent Lakes Area holiday shopping experience for buyers seeking exquisite one-of-a-kind art treasures. Jury approval ensures quality, originality, and functionality, making this show a stand-out. Arts and Greens artists, musicians, and authors come from across Michigan and Ohio. Producing work from childrens’ books to historical novels and wearable art to wall art, these top talents represent the region in must-see fashion. Juried artists offer their talents in photography, painting, fine jewelry, handbags, glasswork, accessories, basketry, music, writing, and much more.
HVCA and Bogie Lake Greenhouses offer regional partnering like no other. The festive greenhouse environment highlights our holiday season’s arrival. Who can resist hot mulled cider, live music, wreaths, roping, artistic topiaries, plants, and fabulous art all in one place? Arts and Greens Holiday Market is the premier annual shopping event of Western Oakland County.
Local band “Stray Dogs” accompanies Friday evening’s Early Bird shopping. Detroit’s award winning author of the Alex McKnight mystery series, Steve Hamilton, joins us from his New York home. Mr. Hamilton is the first of several authors to meet during Arts and Greens book signings.
Nick Palise of “Sovereign Blues” and “Dr. Pocket” conducts Saturday’s TUBACHRISTMAS holiday tuba concert and guest sing-along. Doug and Beverly Larson share alternative folk Christmas music. Guitarists Gary Weisenburg and Mary Ann Murphy perform while authors Mike Willihnganz, “Sand Wedge: A Family History of China”, and Glen Ruggles, “Elk Rapids, the First One Hundred Years,” greet and sign. Illustrator Donna Pellegata signs “The Harp Mouse Chooses Her Home.” The book’s author,Diane E Dunn signs Sunday. Holiday greens and craft workshops are lead by Bogie Lake Greenhouse personnel and participating artists.
Spring Mills Elementary students provide Sunday’s Empty Bowls pottery. For a donation, enjoy a light lunch and take home the bowl you choose. Empty Bowls proceeds support Highland based Community Sharing Outreach Center. The afternoon features Spring Mills’ choir MORE prior to Susanne Vergeldt’s live fiddle tunes. Signing authors are Linda Robinson, “Chantepleure” and Diane Dunn, “The Harp Mouse Finds Her Home.” Craft workshops are available.
Your Arts and Greens purchases support our region’s economy while making you the star of your own show. No one will bring what you bring. An event for the entire family, Arts and Greens Holiday Market has something for everyone to admire and desire. Let regional style inspire your holiday gifting. We’ll keep the cider hot and see you Nov. 20-22.

Event Schedule
Friday 5pm-8pm: Opening Reception, Early Bird Shopping, Stray Dogs.
5pm-7pm, Author Steve Hamilton

Sat 9am-5pm: Shopping
9am-11am Doug and Beverly Larson
11am- Noon Gary Weisenburg
1pm- Mary Ann Murphy
1pm and 3pm- Holiday greens and crafting workshops
3pm- TUBACHRISTMAS
Authors and Illustrator book signing: 9am Mike Willihnganz,

Noon Glen Ruggles, 2pm DonnaPellegata

Sun 10am-5pm: Shopping
11am- Michele Rogers
11:30am-Empty Bowls fund raiser lunch
1pm- Spring Mills Elementary Choir
1pm and 3pm- Holiday greens and crafting workshops
3pm- Susanne Vergeldt
Author book signing: 11am Linda Robinson, 1pm Diane Dunn

Huron Valley Council for the Arts (HVCA), 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland, MI 48357

CONTACT: Leah Ohmer, Executive Director, 248-889-8660, hvca@comcast.net .

PR Contact: Rebecca Arrington, Side Porch Ind., LLC, 248-756-5589

IF ~ Blur

Ah... to do this again with my kids...it's all a blur to me now!

All grown up and no one to toss!

Please take a moment to look at my new website!

I wouldn't mind a little feedback on that too, if you have a moment.

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from my store at ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I would most certainly appreciate your donation!

IF~Fast

...that he is. 'nuf said.

except this: above is an illustration from the book "The Harp Mouse Chooses Her Home, The Adventure Begins" by Diane E Dunn, illustrated by Donna Pellegata.

To purchase book with mouse finger puppet click HERE

without mouse finger puppet click HERE

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

The Enchanted Tree of Crooked Lake

(click on poster to enlarge)

I've just wrapped up the illustrations for the next book I've been working on. "The Enchanted Tree of Crooked Lake" written by Rachel Longhurst is to be release early spring 2010. Keep an eye out on Rachel's website and this blog, for updates and musings on the new book's release.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.


See my store and galleries to the right--->

Channel 4 News clip and Detroit Free Press Article

Click here or on picture above for Detroit Free Press Article on the Bra Show!

...or HERE for the Milford Times article...

See Detroit's Channel 4 Janice Charach Bra Show video here

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.


See my store and galleries to the right--->

The Bra Show Again!

(click picture to enlarge to read)

Get a load of the artists involved with this!

Oh yeah... I'm in it too, with some of my closest friends and FAMOUS PEOPLE!

Thanks to Terri Stearn, Gallery Director, and Hillary Levin, Assistant Director, for all of their incredibly hard work and determination to bring this show together!

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

Our Town

Come see my work here on the dates stated above!

...and click on the above flyer to read more about the show!

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Germs

There'll be no germs coming from this sweet kiss!

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

the bra show

Sister Silence

by Donna Pellegata

The Bra Show
Janice Charach Gallery
6600 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield MI 48322

Opening Saturday October 17th 7pm

Celebrity artists including Peter Soronen, the designer for First Lady Michelle Obama!
(Click on the picture to read all of the exciting details!!!!)

The bra show is a fund raiser for the Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Charach Cancer Treatment Center in Commerce Township MI. The show runs through December 17th 2009.

IF ~ Infinite

Infinite Wisdom

fArCiCaL fOlK aRt

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Welcome

He was not certain he would be welcome...

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Strong

Live Strong...

fArCiCaL fOlK aRt

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Magnify

Her mother believed her beauty would be magnified

by the the size of the lovely green ribbon in her hair...

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Wrapped

...so I wrapped my head around the idea as best I could.

(two wraps for the price of one )

fArCiCaL fOlK aRt

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Modify

Modify your thinking...

(That should be "too" on the art work. You'll not see it change here.

You'll only see the change if you purchase the art! ;D)

fArCiCaL fOlK aRt

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

Come see me at Milford Memories Art Fair this Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 7, 8 and 9, 2009

I'll have a plethora of goodies for you there including fArCiCaL fOlK aRt, hand built greeting cards and several contemporary art pieces

I'll also sign your own copy of my illustrated book

The Harp Mouse Chooses Her Home: The Adventure Begins by Diane E Dunn

You'll find me at the VFAA (Village Fine Arts Association) tent along with my other great local Michigan artist friends! I'll be at booth #177/178 signing books from 1:30 - 7:30pm on Saturday August 8th. I'll be there for the rest of the weekend too but in and out of the booth, because I'll be shopping just like YOU!

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Idle

When I was a baby, I had plenty of idle time to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up

…then I just decided I would never grow up.

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Read more about it here: http://www.illustrationfriday.com/about_p.php

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Hollow

It's a hollow victory when your the only one running the race!

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Read more about it here: http://www.illustrationfriday.com/about_p.php

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Shaky

He considered his options due to the poor economy,

he knew his job was on shaky ground.

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Read more about it here: http://www.illustrationfriday.com/about_p.php

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Worn

Another cat? Perhaps. For love there is also a season; its seeds must be resown. But a family cat is not replaceable like a worn-out coat or a set of tires. Each new kitten becomes its own cat, and none is repeated. I am four cats old, measuring out my life in friends that have succeeded but not replaced one another.

-- Irving Townsend

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Read more about it here: http://www.illustrationfriday.com/about_p.php

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

IF ~ Drifting

With moonbeams in hand and stardust in eyes,

you're a baby of heaven drifting down from the sky

...this work was done in 2006 but I thought it was good for this weeks Illustration Friday

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Read more about it here: http://www.illustrationfriday.com/about_p.php

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will greatly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->

enzolicious!

Early every morning I run for 20 minutes on the treadmill that my friend Mary Anne graciously gave to me, before I head upstairs to the studio. Every morning my little dog Enzo stands beside the treadmill while I'm running and puts his nose on the platform. He's so curious he can barely stand it. Well this morning he decided, he couldn't take it any longer and with a little prompting from me, jumped up and started running. I could just eat him with a shovel.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will greatly appreciate it.
See my store and galleries to the right.

IF ~ Unfold

The story was about to unfold before his very eyes!

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Read more about it here: http://www.illustrationfriday.com/about_p.php

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will greatly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right.

IF~ Craving

This is a commissioned portrait I did for a customer of mine a while back. I always use him as my poster child to help support small animal rescue shelters, as he too was a rescue. I love the soulful look in his eyes, he is truly craving for someone to love him unconditionally and take him home.

This is Reilly, she is a princess, we purchased her from a breeder (a wonderful breeder in fact) before we knew there were better ways to go about it. It does not lessen her importance any to us that she was from a breeder, there are good ones out there, but there are many bad ones too (google "puppy mills" and see for yourself). After becoming enlightened about no kill animal shelters, animal rescue and how many dogs are hurting and craving love and new homes, we knew that we would go to a rescue shelter to choose our next puppy. Reilly has a personality full of love and understanding for her brother and cousin that came after her. We love her with all our hearts and she loves us with all of hers. I mean come on...look at that schmoopie doopie face...

This is Zeus. He came to us from a local rescue shelter nearby in October of 2008. A wonderful no kill shelter that loves, loves, loves their animals, right up until they find them new homes and after. Zeus was a puppy mill puppy. He was a breeder dog, where they use them for breeding only and kill them when they are done with them. He was in a cage for three or four years, we are not certain of his age, his feet never touched the ground and the cages were stacked on top of each other where they pooped right on to each other through one cage to the next. We adopted him for our daughter Lauren, who fell in love with him at first sight after a long search for a new best friend. He could barely walk, could not go up or down stairs, was afraid of the grass and shook uncontrollably when we held him. Although this is a lovely picture of him, he was a mess...

But not any more! This is a video of Zeus today under the care of his new mom Lauren. Look how happy he is now. What a great feeling Lauren has to have provided Zeus with the love and nurturing that has made him the hambone he is today. Zeus loves her right back, they are inseparable.

This is Enzo, he is Zeus's cousin (our newest baby) also from a rescue nearby. We adopted him in November of 2008 at 4 months and we don't know his full story, except that he came from a puppy mill and that's enough of a story for me. He was very shy and scared from the beginning but has come almost full circle. Now that the weather has warmed up, he has taken to riding the four wheeler with Reilly (with Dean driving of course) and playing chase in the yard. He loves to carry his teddy bear around in his mouth and he CRAVES attention.

This is Enzo today, he is about 10 months old and a gorgeous specimen. He doesn't care about his dashing good looks though, all he cares about is that he has a great home and a family that adores him and that he gets his snacks on request. He adores us right back.

See?


Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Read more about it here:http://www.illustrationfriday.com/about_p.php
When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will greatly appreciate it.
See my store and galleries to the right.

Come see me here this Friday

(click poster to enlarge)
I'll be at the opening reception here this week,
the show will be up the entire month of June.
I will be exhibiting and selling several contemporary art pieces.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Second Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will greatly appreciate it.
See my store and galleries to the right.