A Book on Bulldogs...

This week I started working on a book for charity. I belong to a facebook group called Art 4 Causes, and at this point we're a group of artists networking ideas, sharing our work, etc.... Pam, the woman who started the group came up with the idea to choose a cause, a subject and compile a book using all artists work to raise money for the cause.

The first book will benefit The Bulldog Club of America's Rescue Network. Read more about the cause here: http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/

17 artists have contributed bulldog artwork of different mediums to be included in the book. I have a solid start on putting the book together and hope to finish within the next week or so. Since I am a bulldog 'nut' I am excited about this project. There is a lot of great artwork in the book. I feel confident that many of my 9 million bulldog friends will purchase a copy!

UPDATE:   You can read more about the book and order HERE.

(And what a great way to procrastinate on finishing my current portrait orders...shhh...)

On Top of the World....

That's Where Lucy is now. She was one of the first American Bulldogs rescued by a contact of mine, Caroline, in Texas. Here's her story from Caroline:

"Lucy was rescued from the Dallas pound. She was severely emaciated, had demodex mange, and came down with pneumonia a few days later. After 2 months of nursing her back to health, she was finally feeling better. Her personality slowly came out more and more every day. She is the most loving, most wonderful dog and all she wants is love and belly rubs."

She was brought into rescue in February and adopted out in May. A girl who had been in the army for 12 years adopted her as she was getting out of the army. She is now loved and adored as she should be!"

I worked with Carolyn to come up with a subject for a painting ABR can use as a fundraiser....I then asked my Lildog 'facebook fans' to decide which pose they liked best.... and this is the result. I absolutely think Lucy is angelic. There are so many wonderful dogs out there who need help, donations, medical care, LOVE.... The longer I think about this, the harder it is to imagine why people purchase dogs from puppymills...ahem... pet stores.

The Midwest is actually in need of American Rescue(s). It is really tough for surrendering owners to find a rescue to help in this area, and it breaks my heart every time I hear about another American Bully in need with no place to go.

If you'd like to learn more about American Bulldog Rescue - please see their web page or look them up on Facebook.

http://americanbulldogrescue.org/

Specifically, Texas American Bulldog Rescue...

The latest portrait ~ meet Perla....

Meet Perla.... I found her image on Facebook. I see a crazy number of homeless dogs in my newsfeed every day. It breaks my heart, but I know only so many of these souls can be saved. I wonder often, how can I help?

I saw the sad eyes of Perla and knew I had to paint her. She is a puppy, yet she sat unwanted waiting for her last days. Thanks to a rescue group she has been spared from death row and is awaiting her forever home!

I've slowly been contacting rescues to let them know that I am willing to donate a pet portrait for fund raising efforts. I can't tell you how much every rescue is in need of funds. The economy has left more pets homeless than ever before.

I also donate 10% of any commission to a rescue of the buyers choice, as long as I know its a legitimate cause.

If you're a rescue and reading this, I'm happy to consider any ideas to help you. Part of my mission is to raise awareness in the public.

For now the Perla painting will stay with me as a sample work, although I would love to sell the piece at some point! Thanks for reading my blog- I know I'm a blogging beginner but I'm hoping to use this blog as a place to tell you more about what's going on with Lildog, and in the world of rescue. I believe the more we know, the more we can change for the good!

Visit me on Facebook here.

Watercolor Artwork

Watercolor is the perfect medium for expression through color. I love having the ability to blend and layer multiple colors to create the look I envision.

My goal is to create a piece of artwork that portrays something or someone you love. An original watercolor becomes a conversation piece among friends and a priceless memory.

I have a passion for animals, and for animal rescue. Lildog is named after my not-so-little english bulldog, Lilli.

She's seven now and has been with me through thick and thin. We have another bully named Bruiser who we fostered, then adopted.

I paint homes as well, with customers who want to remember a childhood home, a family cabin, or a house they downsized from after raising their children.

You can find out more about my work at Lildog Studio's web page: www.lildogstudio.com

For every pet portrait ordered, I will donate 10% of the commission to a rescue in need.

I hope to raise awareness about homeless pets, encourage people to learn more about rescues and shelters and to think about what you can do to help.

Most people don't realize that over 10,000 dogs are euthanized at the Chicago Animal Control alone, each year!

Encourage people to adopt, if not from there, from a rescue. Local rescues were able to save over 4,000 animals but need adopters, funding, and volunteers to make that number grow.

The other fact most people don't realize is that buying pet store puppy IS buying a puppymill dog. They still come with 'papers' and the stores tell customers they came from 'breeders'.

Pet stores will tell people that all day long, as they are only in the business to make money.

If we educate those we meet about these two realities......adopting and not buying pet store puppies... then one by one, we can make an impact on the number of puppymill abuses, and also

make an impact on the staggering number of homeless dogs euthanized every day for no reason.