My small screen mini doc debut with Touchvision...

Warning: You might need tissues. I was humbled and grateful to have had my work and message captured so beautifully by Enero J. Ray and Chad Fedler of Touchvision. This was edited down from a 40 minute interview with me as well as a visit from my client Claire and her pups Medi and Tula.

Warning: You might need tissues (according to the folks on Facebook who watched it already). I am humbled and grateful to have had my work and message captured so beautifully by Enero J. Ray and Chad Fedler of Touchvision. This was edited down from a 40 minute interview with me as well as a visit from my client Claire and her pups Medi and Tula. We also took a field trip over to the new Urban Pooch Canine Training Center to get some footage of the new mural I designed. What a gift to have this tribute to my pups Izzy and Alice who were such an integral part of growing my art business and inspiring me to get involved with addressing the Homeless Pet situation so prevalent in our society.

Space...

...I've been looking at a lot of it the last two days. I just gave my 30 day notice to terminate my storefront lease on Roscoe. This space didn't turn out to be exactly what I originally envisioned, but in this economy I was very lucky to receive many commissions from folks in the neighborhood, get some great exposure, interact with the community and in the end learn quite a bit about my(neurotic)self! I'm grateful that I was able to host some pet adoption events and share my passion for animals and finding them homes. I also met many artists inquiring about my journey and can only hope they were inspired to follow their artistic dreams.  

So, in a year of many changes in my life, this should complete the logistical portion of these changes, at least for awhile - I hope! Now I have some decisions to make, I loved the space above, but it's a little out of my price range and a bit further north than I want to be. The good news is, I saw some other great options today...so stay tuned, hope to have a new studio secured sooner than later...and this all means good news for you if you like my work: A STUDIO MOVING SALE!  Let me know if you've had your eye on anything, I'm feeling VERY negotiable these days and would rather see my art on your wall than mine!

My dog spotted on Mapquest satellite map...

At this year'sFields Project Art Fair I had a lovely lady and her daughter come to my display and excitedly share with me that my dog field sculpture (done in 2007) shows up on the MapQuest satellite map! This is pretty amazing because we mowed that field in one day and the photo was obviously taken early in the day since the negative space around the dog and the flowers was not mowed yet. You can't see us, by we are down there on the tractor...we stayed out there until it was done, in spite of the fact that Jennifer, the farmer was pregnant at the time...women farmers rock! ; ) See below for the finished project:

Anne’s 11 acre Field Sculpture

Two tails in the house, again...

We headed down to Chicago Animal Care & Control on Saturday, this is the city shelter, basically ground zero for pets in Chicago, they are open every day for adoption (see their site for hours). No animal is turned away from this facility, which means when the other wonderful rescue groups can't take any more, the only way these pets find homes is for you and me to go down and adopt them. This would not be possible without the incredible volunteers who are responsible for taking the dogs outside, playing with and socializing them, as well as showing them to potential adopters - such important advocates, as they get to know the dogs and can offer feedback to potential owners. Sadly the city, does not provide enough resources, the volunteers are critical. It's so tough seeing all these sweet, innocent dogs, waiting alone in their kennels just wanting a little love and a home.Several caught our eyes and hearts but the one that pulled the
strongest, for both Rich and I, was 11 month old pit mix, Poppy. She had been
there since early July, very sweet and quiet, yet quite lively when we
got her outside. We decided to go home and get Alice. The meet and greet went
well...not instant best friends but definitely comfortable around one
another and tails wagging. So we proceeded with the adoption, which only costs $65, and that includes the dog license and spay/neuter.  We had our
adoption interview with Charles Craft, an amazing advocate for
these dogs and the head of the adoption program for the city and
Fostering Program through Friends of Animal Care and Control. We had corresponded in the past when I did art work for CACC, so it was an honor to finally meet him. (You can see other adoptable pets on PetFinder.com).On the drive home Poppy (who they told us was originally Pippi, and we just named Gracie!) draped herself over me and melted into my
lap with a sigh.It took a bath Saturday with a follow up shower on Sunday to fully remove the Eau De CACC perfume she was wearing.I'm sure she was relieved on Monday to find that bathing was not going to become a daily ritual in her new home!She is a very skinny little girl with a very LONG neck...so long that she can counter surf, this is new behavior to us. Izzy had a few episodes early on...but this girl, you have to keep an eye on! Did I mention we think she might have some Great Dane in her?We have some work to do with Gracie, she and Alice will need some time to bond, but soon, I'm sure she will fit in. This has all been a little bittersweet. It's the sad realization that we are really moving on, left with only our memories of Izzy...as we open our broken hearts back up and make new ones with Gracie.

R.V. Dog & Art Lovers Night = Big Fun!

We didn't know what to expect for our first ever RVDALN, but it turned out to be a very fun night...lots of people came, several with their 4 legged friends and we collected quite a 'bounty' of supplies for the Chicago Canine Rescue Shelter. Our adorable Guest of Honor, Norton a 5 month old Bassett Hound mix, was not able to stay the whole evening but he made many friends while he was here and I'm confident he will be adopted very soon!Norton: Follow the link for adoption info.
All the generous supply donations that came in from attendees for the Chicago Canine Rescue Shelter.
  We also had complimentary human treats and a visit from the Pepperoni King! This man needs a crown! Vail...that doggy in the window. 

A darling young lady doing her doggy impression.Saying goodnight to Norton and Rachel, one of the wonderful volunteers from Chicago Canine Rescue.

Sweet Adoption Event with CCR Next Week...

  Our first Adoption Event of 2010 is next weekend, bring your Valentine and your friends to meet PUPPIES available for adoption from Chicago CanineRescue. Join us on the 13th for Sweet Treats, a Raffle for Art andGifts and 20% off anything in the shop that has RED or PINK in it!

Puppies, Art, Community, and a Sunny Day...

We had the perfect day yesterday for our adoption event with the Anti-Cruelty Society at my studio...plenty of sunshine and temps in the 50's...4 very sweet dogs arrived around noon- that's Camry above, she was the spunkiest of the group.
This is mother/daughter duo, Sunfire and Sunbird, they were rescued in Tennessee by artist, Bernie Berlin of A Place to Bark. I've mentioned Bernie before, as I've been involved in a few different projects to help raise money for her rescue efforts, the most recent the Party Animals Book and auction. These girls were so sweet and awfully timid. They were nearly adopted together, really hope that couple will contact Anti-Cruelty and take them after mulling over their decision this weekend. That's Sunbird on my lap and very sweet girl Theresa, they would all make such dear companions. There were wonderful volunteers and folks from Anti-Cruelty on hand to chat with all the people who came by to meet the dogs. Such a great sense of community and caring combined with the joy of being around such endearing pups...! The day was so reflective of all my hopes for combining my art and this space and community with my desire to give more exposure to and hopefully get more homeless pets adopted.
If you would like more information or to go meet any of these dogs, please contact the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society.