Art in Progress: Mr. Fuzzy

Additional commission information and price list available here. 20% of each pet portrait commission is donated to Out of the Woods Animal Rescue of Arkansas. 

We Go High

This quote from Michelle Obama's speech last summer has become a mantra for me in every aspect of my life. As author Danielle LaPorte says, attention is energy. It isn't that I plan to go along with negativity, but that I plan to do my best to focus my energy on what good I can do for this world. Prints available here.

Art in Progress: Packet House week 1

There is a cool old house in Little Rock that I have always wanted to paint. At some point it happened & the finished product was way too bright. Go ahead & think that over... if you are at all familiar with my work you likely know that the level of color saturation in my art either lights people up or they are horrified by it. If I say it is too bright it is TOO BRIGHT. So leaving it on the canvas didn't seem like the right thing to do. So I didn't. Finished product coming soon.

Art in Progress: Beer Weinie

When you have rescued literally hundreds of dogs, you may begin to run out of names for them. Or maybe if you are cool enough to rescue hundreds of dogs, you just choose really original names. Meet Beer Weinie, one of the many lucky rescues of a pretty amazing family.

Additional commission information and price list available here. 20% of each pet portrait commission is donated to Out of the Woods Animal Rescue of Arkansas.

Art in Progress: Truth

I have enjoyed selling this print more than just about any other, due in large part to the stories I hear from the people buying them. It isn't a traditional fairy tale but you can't really expect a traditional fairy tale from a woman who as a child, wanted to be a ballerina & drive a red garbage truck. Here's to all of the strong, brave, smart, independent little girls out there who are writing their own fairy tales. Matted prints available here. 

An open letter to 2017

Dear 2017,

Based on the number of times your name has been uttered over the last few weeks, it would be reasonable for you to feel a little pressure. Your predecessor kicked many of us in the face & there is some expectation that you are going to make up for it. To be clear, I didn't really harbor any ill will towards 2016 until November so we didn't completely break up, although she left without saying goodbye & I can't say I was sad to see her go.

You seem to be off to a good start, but please don't get overconfident. As much as most folks enjoy a happy ending, for reasons I find baffling, the public at large will build you up & then stand around & wait for you to crash & burn. Please think before you act. As appealing as the element of surprise may appear, you probably shouldn't chance it. The last several surprises of 2016 weren't taken well by most Americans & you aren't going to win any fans by poking at hurt & angry people suffering from surprise-induced PTSD.

In an effort to show my support, I will lead by example & let you know what to expect from me so that you aren't surprised either. Here are a few things you should know about me...

I believe we must treat each other with compassion & empathy. We must respect our differences. The things that make us different can be an opportunity to learn & expand our worldview if we will open our eyes & shut our mouths. That means you too, 2017. Are you listening? You don't get to judge the 1960's or bully the 1970's just because they look & act differently than you do. For the record, I'm certain that the entire decade of the 1950's is clutching her pearls in horror at you but she is too polite to say so. 

I believe we must help others who have less than us. Sitting around with our chest puffed out thinking we are better off financially because we are SO much smarter than others honestly would just show how ignorant we are, don't you think 2017? None of us got where we are without a little help from someone. You, for instance started off in your financial position thanks to the way 2016 left it so you aren't exactly 100% self-made either.

I believe we must share our talents & skills in a positive way. I plan to do this by making more art that will include a donation to different non-profits. The pet portraits will always benefit Out of the Woods Animal Rescue with 20% of the commission fees, but I want to do other targeted donations related to some new art. I'm still working out the details but I will let you know as soon as possible... so that is my plan, 2017 what's yours? I'll give you a little time to think about it, but don't take too long. It may seem to you right now as if you have all the time in the world, but before you know it 2018 will be shoving you out the door. Just know that I am pulling for you & wishing you the best.

Sherry