Art for Pitties

Thank You!!

2010-08-30T01:32:00.001-04:00

The auctions have ended and we raised a lot of money and awareness for this awesome cause!! Thanks to everyone involved and that helped spread the word. Special thanks to all of our talented artists. We couldn't have done it without you.

All the auctions are LIVE and LINKED!!!

2010-08-24T21:34:00.007-04:00

Just finished posting the remainder of 53 individual auctions. Click HERE to go to our eBay listing or scroll through the ART section on our blog and click on the piece you'd like to bid on. Only 5 days left so help us spread the word! Thanks everyone!!

The Art Show was a Success!!

2010-08-22T08:00:00.022-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out last night and supported this great cause!! It definitely helped spread awareness and build exposure for this project. Lots of people invited their friends and family members who commuted from hours away. We really appreciate that. I overheard quite a few people talk about pieces they were interested in bidding on, including a few friends that vowed to having a bidding war with each other over one of the tote bags. I'm confident the auctions will have a great turn out. Special thanks to all the artists that contributed their work, Owen for DJing, Melissa for driving us and all the art to the venue, Mary and Jenith who helped me hang and label all the pieces, everyone that helped market the event and Gallery Bar who were kind enough to have us and donate a portion of the proceeds to Even Chance. Be sure to check out the auction later today!! We'll be linking each piece in our blog to eBay Charities. Thanks again everyone!!

Update: We just posted photos on our Facebook page from the event.

Gallery Showing!!!!!!!

2010-08-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

Artist #48: Eldon Thorndike

2010-08-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

Eldon Thorndike was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana. He learned from his father how to fish, how to fight, and how to paint. At age 33, the soft-spoken Thorndike has pretty much given up on the first two but has embraced the last: a prolific artist, his work typically chiefly concerns the cosmos, which is a subject he says he could paint forever. Thorndike now lives in an east-facing studio loft downtown with his two cats and boa constrictor, where everyday the sunrise burns his eyes.

Artist #47: Liquid Liquid

2010-08-15T08:00:00.006-04:00

Liquid Liquid were key players in the New York minimalist funk underground music scene of the early 1980s. Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels emphatically claimed that for DJs of that era, "You had to have Liquid Liquid in your crate." The group’s instantly recognizable track “Cavern” became the basis of Grandmaster Flash’s rap classic “White Lines (Don’t Do It).” Interest in Liquid Liquid never waned, with songs regularly licensed for movie and TV soundtracks (from Miami Vice to Spike Lee’s The 25th Hour), and countless samples and reconfigurations dotting the dance-groove landscape. In 2003, Liquid Liquid made a triumphant return to the stage at the Knitting Factory in New York City. The four original members performed together for the first time in nearly 20 years. Band members: Scott Hartley (drums, percussion, talking drum) Richard McGuire (bass, percussion, piano, guitar) Salvatore Principato (vocals, percussion, bass) Dennis Young (percussion, marimba, roto-toms)

Artist #46: Rosanna Lyons

2010-08-15T08:00:00.004-04:00

Rosanna Lyons is a fine art painter and dog lover living in the Bay area. She also animates Special Effects for The Simpsons TV show. Her past work includes animation for Dreamworks SKG, Disney, Amblimation ( A Spielberg company) and Don Bluth Studios. She originally comes from Ireland. Rosanna has collectors from all over the world; From Singapore to LA and Australia. She adores painting people and dogs in a classical manner. At present, Rosanna is working on a group of large nudes, which she is planning to exhibit in San Francisco next year. She lives with her beautiful terrier mix Marnie, too- cute- to- live- Scottie rescue, Reggie and handsome human, Aaron! See her work on Face Book at Rosanna Lyons Fine Art or on her website at www.rosannalyons.com

Artist #45: Andrew Zubko

2010-08-14T08:00:00.006-04:00

Andrew Zubko is a Portland, OR based artist and illustrator that specializes in traditional, digital, and dimensional illustration. His past clients include The Wall Street Journal, The Portland Mercury, Psychiatric Annals, Ink & Paper Group, and Red Sneaker String Ensemble. In the spring of 2010, Andrew's illustration, Batman Vs. Shark, led to internet fame and notoriety. It was seen on sites such as Geekologie, i09.com, and the official blog of Rachel Maddow and led to the commission of a cover for The Portland Mercury, depicting the subject matter chosen by its readers by an online poll. The winning topic was Betty White, holding a flaming chainsaw, riding John Ritter. This piece again gained quite a bit of attention online, and a print has even made its way to the private collections of both the Ritter family and Betty White. The latter half of Andrew's life has been heavily influenced by animal rights as well as the right of all life to be treated with respect and compassion. He has a good pit bull friend named Ishmael who resides in southern California with other good friends. Visit www.zubko.com to see more of Andrew's work!

Artist #44: Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart

2010-08-13T08:00:00.003-04:00

Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart has been coordinating campaigns for animals since she was 8, went veg at 10, is an MBA drop-out and was modeling in Hong Kong when she started the vegan fashion house Vaute Couture to answer her lifelong wish- a chic winter dress coat that's also vegan and warm enough for a Chicago winter. The coat line launched in the fall of 2009, to a cult following of animal lovers and winter warriors around the world including celebrity fans like Emily Deschanel, Alicia Silverstone, Ally Sheedy, and Ginnifer Goodwin. She has been featured on Oprah.com dispelling myths about compassionate fashion, on the cover of VegNews Magazine, and has been named 1 of 40 Redefining Green by Grist.org.

Artist #43: Sally-Anne Ryan

2010-08-12T08:00:00.003-04:00

Sally-Anne Ryan is a British artist who specializes in animal portraiture. As well as private commissions, she has worked extensively with animal charities around the world. Hailing from a country where Pitbull Terriers are a banned breed she was fascinated to meet some when she recently spent time in the states. What she found was a breed that was not only physically beautiful, friendly & playful but one that always got blamed at the dog park for everything no matter what happened or who was involved! Both she & her dog Mabel fell hopelessly in love with the breed, and so it's with pleasure she takes part in this fantastic artistic initiative to change the perception and promote Pitbull rescue (Adopt Adopt Adopt!). Sally-Anne Ryan will be starting her own art company, which will launch late 2010 and will donate a percentage of profits to animals in need around the world, details will be released via her website, www.sallyanneryan.com & her Facebook Page.

Artist #42: Elizabeth Olsen

2010-08-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

Elizabeth Olsen blends her artistic tendencies with her respect for the lives of all animals, daily. As founder and designer of olsenHaus Pure Vegan, Elizabeth works to expose atrocities committed against animals at the hands of humans through her cruelty free brand of footwear. olsenHaus is found internationally to an ever growing clientele of humans seeking style sans animal suffering. Elizabeth lives in NYC with her cat Baby Girl who has no interest in allowing Elizabeth to adopt a dog what so ever, however they are looking to adopt a new kitty buddy in urgent need of a home. www.olsenhaus.com

Artist #41: Hideki Takahashi

2010-08-10T08:00:00.002-04:00

Hideki Takahashi is an artist from Tokyo, Japan. His Structuralism style and work include paintings, installations, and also clothing...specifically denim jeans. Growing up in Japan, he learned about fashion and culture very early on. His work playfully explores how denim jeans, apparel, and fashion are perceived in contemporary mass culture by placing them in various contexts that illuminate the differences. As a Fashion Composer, as he calls himself, his work takes these differences and magnifies them, beyond the confines of definition and redefines them as, Restless Installations. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. (Written by Andrew David Baron) www.HidekiTakahashi.com / Twitter: @HidekiNomono

Artist #40: Daisy Church

2010-08-09T08:00:00.004-04:00

Daisy Church works and lives in Los Angeles as an artist and animator. She has worked extensively as a flash animator on various television shows, commercials, music videos and independent films in addition to having completed three of her own short animated films. As well as animation animation, Daisy loves to paint, and exhibits her personal work and fine art in galleries around the country.
daisychurch.com
daisychurch.blogspot.com

Artist #39: Patty Lee Wilkes

2010-08-08T08:00:00.003-04:00

Patty Lee Wilkes is an Ohio based artist who has been painting for many many years, as well as knitting. Her designs have been featured in knitting publications like Spin-Off. She also crochets, is currently writing a cook book, writes articles, and is a jewelry designer. Patty has 2 children in California and an adopted daughter from El Salvador. Her Japanese Chin, CoCo and chihuahua, Minty live with her. (Patty was unable to provide us images)

Artist #38: Woody Welch

2010-08-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Woody Welch was born and raised in New York City for the first eleven years of his life and watched his mother, Jewel Flowers, pose for pin-up artist Rolf Armstrong. Woody learned how to draw from watching Armstrong as well as other pin up artists and continued his art education at The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, before moving to California to work in special visual effects design. In Hollywood for the past 30 years, Woody has worked in the motion picture and television industry doing everything from concept art to storyboards. His art has been on display at the San Diego Comic Con art shows and in various magazines and paper back book covers with science fiction and fantasy themes. His main hobbies are over-eating, procrastination, and watching too much cable T.V. www.woodywelch.net

Artist #37: Misha Tyutyunik

2010-08-06T08:00:00.007-04:00

Misha Tyutyunik is a contemporary painter who lives and works out of Brooklyn, New York. He was born in the Ukraine, and moved to The United States when he was seven. A graduate of Pratt Institute with a BFA in Communications Design with a focus on Illustration, Misha paints and works as a graphic designer for companies such as A&E Television Networks, ENK, Brooklyn Arts Council, and Coca Cola. Influenced by social realism, abstract expressionism, Japanese prints, surrealism and impressionism, his work blends figurative painting with surrealistic dreamscapes, utilizing subdued colors and intense brush strokes, to create unique, mood based parallel worlds. Since the Spring of 2009, Mr. Tyutyunik and a partner have been operating a business called Collective Consciousness NYC, providing creative services and promoting talented, up and coming artists, himself included. Misha has exhibited his artwork throughout New York City, and currently directs and curates a galley he started through his business, in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
www.mishat.com
www.ccnycinc.com

Artist #36: Camilla Gurun

2010-08-05T08:00:00.002-04:00

Camilla Gurun is currently studying to receive an MFA in Printmaking from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She grew up in the California Bay Area, and then did her undergraduate studies at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Camilla's work focuses thematically on an obsession with childhood and innocence. Working with personal and found photographs, Camilla isolates images that have to do with the naive nature of children, using a sense of humor of and simplistic style to recreate past memories. http://camillagurunprints.blogspot.com

Artist #35: Marie Roberts

2010-08-04T08:00:00.004-04:00

Born in Brooklyn, lives and works in Brooklyn. Studied painting & drawing at CUNY:
BA Brooklyn College & MFA Queens College. Exhibiting since the 1980's. Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, painting , drawing. Artist in Residence, Coney Island USA; current banner painter to the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Handy) www.bitterwonder.com

Artist #34: Diana Coltenback

2010-08-03T08:00:00.004-04:00

Diana Coltenback pictured with one of her 3 Pit Bulls, Jake, was born and raised in Bronx, NY. Diana was an artist from an early age. As she grew and began taking a more serious interest in art, her passion, creativity and talent was evident. Over the years her many talents have included faux finishing, residential and commercial murals, pet portraits, wildlife drawings, business logos, dog bows, children’s and women hair accessories and more. Having trained herself over the years, Diana is a self-made success story. Her creations have now sold in almost every state in the US as well as over 20 countries worldwide. In addition to her artistic abilities, Diana has been a Pit Bull advocate for over 20 years which includes over 10 years engaged in Pit Bull rescue in which she has been responsible for rehabilitating and re-homing hundreds of Pit Bulls.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllAboutYoshi

Artist #33: Patrick Mathews

2010-08-02T08:00:00.002-04:00

Influenced by comic books, graffiti, and skate art, Patrick began drawing obsessively at a young age. His love for drawing and painting continued as his interests expanded to fine art and illustration. When not working on commercial projects, Patrick spends most of his time skateboarding, hanging out with his pit bull, Willie and working on personal art work. Patrick is currently based out of San Francisco and works as a production artist for the game company, Metamoki. For more work, check out http://blog.art-pm.com.

Artist #32: Julia Emily

2010-08-01T08:00:00.006-04:00

Julia Emily is a designer from London recently transplanted to New York city where she lives with her extra long husband and teeny tiny daughter. When she's not designing her range of crocheted jewelry, masks and accessories, or sewing uniforms, bags or baby clothes she teaches some of her skills to others up in Harlem at the Esaie Couture School. What she loves most is creating and constantly strives to learn new ways to make pleasing objects. She also loves the fact that creativity can be harnessed to raise money and awareness and hates that anyone would feel the need to inflict their violent natues on innocent creatures. You can find some of her work at juliaemily.etsy.com

Artist #31: Melissa Bertoncini

2010-07-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Melissa Bertoncini is a Brooklyn based business manager, vegan and devout animal lover. After studying in England and traveling the world, she decided to settle back down at home in New York City. She currently owns a bookkeeping and business management firm in addition to being a mom to her rescue pit bull, Jane.

Artist #30: Michelle Guillory

2010-07-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Michelle Guillory is a designer and photographer from Houston, TX. She learned to sew by watching her mother from a very young age, where the lesson “anything worth doing is worth overdoing” was taken to heart. She sells embellished tote bags on Etsy under the name Lucky Piglet. Michelle shares her home and life with her husband and three dogs, two of which are pit bulls. She feels a special affinity for pit bulls and contributes to pit bull-specific charities and causes regularly.

Artist #29: Alex Morales

2010-07-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

Alex Morales is a freelance artist who specializes in gouache, watercolor and pen and ink illustrations. Please feel free to contact Alex Morales for any illustrations that you are interested in having made. Alex also does sculptures in clay as well. You can email him at drone.head@gmail.com

Artist #28: Jane MacLeod

2010-07-28T08:00:00.003-04:00

Jane MacLeod is a self-taught screen printing artist living in Edinburgh, Scotland. She shares her home with two rescue greyhounds, Max & Molly, who are the inspiration behind her designs. She is passionate about greyhound rescue & works closely with her local greyhound re-homing charity, Gracehounds. When she's not getting creative with inks & screens, Jane operates her own dog walking business, spending her days outdoors in the beautiful Scottish countryside in the company of her favourite animals!
www.maxandmollydesigns.com / www.gracehounds.plus.com

Artist #27: Mary Timmons

2010-07-27T08:00:00.007-04:00

Mary Timmons is a fashion designer living in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Otis in Los Angeles, CA and currently works as a Women's Wear Designer at Express Fashion in NYC. Mary enjoys life drawing, vegan cooking, constantly expanding her knowledge of plants, visiting her loving family in California and trying to tame her wonderful, yet mischievous dog, Tilly.

Artist #26: Melody Polakow

2010-07-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Melody Polakow is a Vegetarian Chef and Photographer in Portsmouth, NH. After rescuing her Pit Bull, Jorda 5 years ago, she fell in love with the breed and is passionate about informing and educating the public about the true nature of these amazing dogs. You can check out more of Melody's work at: www.melodypolakow.com

Artist #25: Marie Moneysmith

2010-07-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

After spending most of her adult life as a writer and editor, she rediscovered the fun of making stuff. Marie finds nothing more thrilling than finding a beautiful old purse or piece of clothing in need of repair and matching it with re-purposed fabric, yarn, costume jewelry, buttons or whatever else turns up. Sometimes it takes months for her pull together the right elements, but it's always worth it. Marie loves creating a second life for something that was going to be thrown away. She finds it funny that what she does with clothes and accessories parallels her love for rescuing animals. Too many people think of pets as disposable items, when nothing could be further from the truth. Each dog and cat is a little treasure, waiting for the right person to open their heart. Marie wishes to extend a big 'Thank you' to all the people at Even Chance, for helping people understand that pit bulls are smart, loving dogs who deserve better treatment than so many of them get. www.naughtymonkeys.etsy.com
www.naughtymonkeys.wordpress.com

Artist #24: Tami Hornidge

2010-07-24T08:00:00.008-04:00

Tami, the lady behind Pink Andie, is a self taught crafter/artist whose main focus is feminine but funky jewelry. She is a mother, a wife, a creator, and a lover of life. She loves to go against the grain and strive for a better world. Her creations are a reflection of her love for combining old with new, nature, and color combinations. She is constantly dreaming up new designs and always aspiring to learn new ways to create. www.facebook.com/pinkandie
www.pinkandiedesigns.etsy.com

Artist #23: Alex McWatt

2010-07-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

It was the winter of 1973 in upstate New York. Alex McWatt began life, grabbing the world by its short hairs and giving it the proverbial yank. McWatt spent all the waking hours of his youth scribbling on anything he could get his hands on in an attempt to brighten up the rotten tainted hellish honeycomb of woe called life. His affinity for marking up natural materials began with wood as a child—he unabashedly carved his name into any wooden furniture within his reach.  As he grew older, McWatt discovered a new tool for expression in a small aerosol can. He introduced himself to the world by spray painting his name and assorted imaginary friends on walls far and wide, from New York City to London, Yokohama, and California. His experiential insights into the underground cultures of graffiti, skateboarding, and punk rock music converged when he discovered his calling as a professional tattoo artist. Now, his designs and artwork can be found not only on people’s flesh but also on skateboards, T- shirts, in publications, movies, and numerous gallery walls around New York City. McWatt currently holds sessions by appointment only as owner and founder of Three Kings Tattoo in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Artist #22: Jane O'Hara

2010-07-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

Jane O'Hara sees animals as spiritual beings—wise, playful, and full of integrity. O'Hara lives and works in Little Compton, RI and Boston, MA. It was in Little Compton that she first included animals in her landscapes; they made their way into her paintings and never left. The country and wildlife provide her with inspiration and materials for her art, and it is here, as well as Fenway Studios in Boston, where O'Hara happily creates her animal worlds and portrait commissions. www.janeohara.com

Artist #21: Gloria Najecki

2010-07-21T08:00:00.009-04:00

Currently working full time as an animal portraitist Gloria didn’t set out to be a portrait painter, exactly. Just as many things happen in life without our trying, the vocation sort
of found her. In 2001 Gloria started painting to raise funds for her beloved American bulldog's knee surgery. Fate stepped in and things took off from there. Gloria works primarily on a commission basis, creating paintings that speak to the heart of the relationship between man and beast. Using your photos for reference and your stories to guide her every painting becomes a statement of time and feelings, hope and love, and all things good…a tangible embodiment of the creature who inspired it. Your furry friend. You can see the artists work at www.GloriaNajecki.com or on her facebook page.

Artist #20: Kathryn Lee Bishop

2010-07-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

Kathryn Lee Bishop is a 23 year old artist currently based out of Downey, CA. Kathryn paints emotional portraits that reflect the personality and the essence of her subject, whether human or animal. In her portraits, Kathryn seeks to invoke emotion through the use of bold colors, patterns and texture. As a part-time volunteer at her local animal shelter, foster-er and now adopter of an abused pit bull, much of her recent work revolves around animals and their joyous outlook on life, no matter their past. www.LeeFineArts.com

Artist #19: Emily McCoy

2010-07-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

Emily McCoy is the owner of Daisy Dog Studio, which designs beautiful porcelain tableware that has been featured in several magazines including House Beautiful and O at Home. She has a Textile Design degree from Fashion Institute of Technology. An animal rights activist for 20 years, she was fortunate enough to have a stray pit bull become part of her family, and eventually inspire her to go into business for herself. Daisy Dog Studio was named for that very pit bull! She donates dog bowls to Out of the Pits, Animal Haven and other rescue groups to sell to help run their non-profits, and donates 5% of her "human-related" products to other animal organizations. She is currently working on a line of screen and block printed home textiles. Her first prints will be of her beloved Daisy.

Artist #18: Claudia Rummel

2010-07-18T08:00:00.005-04:00

Claudia Rummel was born September 2nd, 1991 in a small city named Tulln in Austria. She was always very creative. At the age of 6 she started playing the violin, participated in theater and art contests. She attended a high school in Vienna with focus on dance and theater. Currently, Claudia is enrolled in the Lee Strasberg Institute studying acting. She has a great passion for acting, writing and directing but has always loved painting. Claudia finds painting to be so enriching to her life experiences and for a good cause it is even better!

Artist #17: Patty Arnold

2010-07-17T08:00:00.003-04:00

Patty Arnold is a self taught seamstress and artist. She began sewing at an early age and has never stopped. Her love for arts and crafts really took off during the 20+ years of homeschooling her seven children and has since developed into a home business. She currently sells cat-themed accessories, gifts, and clothing through her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/catcalls and donates to her local humane society as well as making cat toys for other rescues but for this project Patty is working for the pitties. She is also an active member in the Etsy for Animals and Pets Jubilee teams. Patty makes quilted art wall hangings and gum wrapper collages as well that can be seen in her Beyond5 shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/beyond5

Artist #16: Rene Ruston

2010-07-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

Rene Ruston has studied art at prestigious L.A. institutions and has been commissioned to paint for a wide spectrum of clients in the TV and music industries as well as Fortune 500 Companies. She sits on the boards of several animal rescue and advocacy groups and has donated many of her paintings to charitable organizations and their fundraisers. Visit her at www.ashesandart.com to see how she combines her two passions, animals and art, to provide lasting tribute to the special animal family members in your life. Rene and her husband, a successful Los Angeles record producer, are both vegans and committed to improving the welfare of animals. Rene will be lending an image of Coco Loco to her tote, one of the many beautiful pitties who resided at the Brittany Foundation All Breed Dog Rescue in Agua Dulce, Ca. Coco was a true ambassador of her breed. Mischievous, playful and loving.

Artist #15: Jennifer Rose-Segrest

2010-07-15T08:00:00.003-04:00

Jennifer Rose-Segrest is a Texas artist living in Brownsville with her husband and family of rescued abandoned dogs. Jen’s catalog of work includes a variety of animal inspired two and three dimensional pieces as well as an ongoing series of whimsical animal renderings called “Jenimals”. She draws inspiration from her passion and love for animals. She earned an Associates in Visual Communication in Austin, Texas, then earned her B.A. in Studio Art at The University of Texas at Brownsville. Now working on her Masters of Education-Curriculum & Instruction with an Emphasis in Art Education at the U.T.B. Please visit www.jenrosesegrest.com or Art by Jen Rose-Segrest on Facebook.

Artist #14: Dynise Balcavage

2010-07-14T08:00:00.009-04:00

Dynise Balcavage, author of The Urban Vegan (Globe Pequot/Three Forks) has been cooking since age 7 and writing professionally for 17 years. She has written 11 books for young readers and has written numerous published articles. Dynise’s blog, Urban Vegan (http://urbanvegan.net), details life as a city vegan and features recipes, news, and observations. She is currently working on her second cookbook. Dynise earned a BFA in visual arts from Kutztown University and an MA in English from Arcadia University. She has taught writing in several Philadelphia venues. Living in Philadelphia, she volunteers at Philly PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society.). She is also active in several animal rights and human rights organizations.

PRESS: Pet News and Views

2010-07-13T10:27:00.003-04:00

Check out this great article on Sam who was discriminated against in the park and the story of Cody the therapy pit who helps to alter these discriminating views. Cody was born with a deformity and his future was looking grim, but with the help of Even Chance he is now a Certified Therapy Dog. AFP project is mentioned as well!

Artist #13: Kelly Vetter

2010-07-13T08:00:00.004-04:00

Kelly Vetter born in Jersey City, named after dad’s favorite Irish bar, and raised in between the malls and highways of the asphalt coated garden state… a post punk suburban life backlit by a skyline of refineries, creating hazy curtains that veiled a twinkling, dreamlike Manhattan skyline. Influenced by this surreal scene and a formal education in the arts at Pratt Institute, Kelly Vetter creates an allegorical alternate universe of miniature paintings on panel, artworks employing recycled paper and ephemera evoking a fractured fairytale fantasyland. A lifelong dog lover, involved in dog rescue and proud parent to rescue/shelter dogs, including a boston terrier puppy mill mama, a Chihuahua mix shelter survivor, and big pit bull boy Fido. Fido first came to us (after Hurricane Katrina) as a broken pup with two damaged legs, and a gentle smile. Now, he is an ambassador for his breed, leading the pet parade at the local elementary school! www.kellyvetter.com

Artist #12: Kermit Eisenhut

2010-07-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Texas artist Kermit Eisenhut is known for his acrylic paintings featuring playful characters and realistic animal portraits. He creates canvas paintings, designs greeting cards, paints furniture and plates and has been commissioned to paint murals in private residences and public spaces. Visit his web site to learn more about the artist and his work. www.kermitart.com

Artist #11: Dana Feagin

2010-07-11T08:00:00.003-04:00

Dana Feagin lives in Ashland, Oregon with her husband and five former shelter dogs, including Riley, her very affectionate Pit Bull featured here. After departing a 20-year corporate career in 2006, Dana refocused her energy on oil painting, teaching/creating art with children, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. She primarily paints animals, mostly custom pet portraits, while donating 10% of her proceeds to local animal charities and rescue groups. Dana's work can be seen at several venues around the Rogue Valley & on her website - www.inspiredpetportraits.com. For this fundraiser, Dana will be painting a tote bag with an image of Roscoe, one of her previous foster dogs - another amazing, loving & gentle Pit Bull!

Artist #10: Alfie

2010-07-10T08:00:00.002-04:00

Alfie is a NY based artist. Currently, she is enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology earning her BFA in Fine Art. Her style is sporadic because she works on too many things at once. She also thinks its weird to type in third person and believes herself as difficult to be friends with. Her blog is up dated on a regular basis: http://www.justalfie.blogspot.com.

Artist #09: Krystine Lopez

2010-07-09T08:00:00.001-04:00

Krystine Lopez is a photographer and painter living in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida after studying abroad at the Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland. She is currently volunteering her time doing photography for a local animal shelter to help attract families to adoptable pets. When not creating work, Krystine spends her time with her pit mix Homer and her four year old daughter. kwaleska.carbonmade.com

Artist #08: Dominique Mercer

2010-07-08T08:00:00.005-04:00

Dominique Mercer recently received her degree in graphic design. Based in Maryland, at twenty-one years of age her career as a designer is currently underway. Urban is said to describe her style best (probably can't tell that from this piece I did), she would like to toss in fun, a bit edgy and attention grabbing. As a designer Dominique welcomes a challenge, approaching everything with an open mind, intelligence, style and grace. She is also a lover of all animals. Her pit bulls since the age of 9, Justice, Blue, and Maze hold her heart tightest! It was love at first sight, to last until forever.

Artist #07: Kaitie Kunsman

2010-07-07T08:00:00.005-04:00

Kaitie Kunsman is a 25-year-old, vegetarian, graphic designer/illustrator with a passion for art, even numbers, and cute things. She currently lives in Montclair, NJ, working with various companies on a Freelance basis. Kaitie is also working on starting her small business, Curious Little Buttons . She takes every opportunity to collaborate and work with non-profit groups to promote animal advocacy!! http://curiouslittlebuttons.blogspot.com

Great Article by Nancy Harder!

2010-07-06T22:15:00.001-04:00

Pit Bull Bigotry: Public Perception and Legislation

Artist #06: Steven Cossman

2010-07-06T08:00:00.006-04:00

Steve Cossman was born in Maywood, CA. He received his BFA from Albright College and went on to study cinema in the Czech Republic at FAMU. He returned to the U.S following school, working as an artist assistant on Long Island. He currently works and lives in Brooklyn, NY where he is director of Mono No Aware, an 'Annual Exhibition of Expanded Cinema'. This year his film TUSSLEMUSCLE has been screened at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, VideoEx in Zurich, the Milwaukee Underground Film festival and will tour the US/Europe in the Fall. Cossman is a long time vegan and animal advocate. His recent interests include faceting, apiology and Puerto Rico. www.stevecossman.com www.mononoawarefilm.com

SPECIAL: Celebrity Guest Contributor!

2010-07-06T07:00:00.004-04:00

Betty White, YES the Golden Girl! Along with staring on TV and radio shows, she has a golden heart for animals. "Her lifelong interest in animals led to her production of the television series, "The Pet Set", which she created, wrote and hosted. She also had a daily radio program, "Betty White On Animals". Betty served for three years as President of the Morris Animal Foundation, a national research oriented group dedicated to improving the health of companion animals. She has also served on the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Board of Trustees. Betty White is the author of the book, "Betty White's Pet Love" - how animals take care of us." Betty is donating an autographed photo of herself and her dog Panda. Thank You Betty!!!

Artist #05: Keely Rademacher

2010-07-05T08:00:00.008-04:00

Keely Rademacher earned her Bachelor of Art & Design from NC State University, College of Design and currently resides in Oceanside, CA. She is a certificated teacher who has taught art in public school and summer camps, while being an avid volunteer promoting the arts. One would describe her as a lover of people and nature, a helper, explorer, and seeker of happiness. Her creative process stems from questioning life’s experiences in a search for understanding. Human behavior fascinates her and directly impacts her artwork. Keely thrives on change; whether it’s switching occupations, moving, or making new friends because in her eyes new experiences construct a more dimensional world. www.gallerykr.com

PRESS: VEGNEWS.COM

2010-07-04T11:56:00.003-04:00

Veg News Magazine's on-line blog promotes AFP!

Check it out!!

Artist #04: Claudia Smalley

2010-07-04T08:00:00.006-04:00

Claudia Smalley is a first-born American whose parents emigrated from Poland to Chicago. Her passion to express creativity through the visual arts developed as a child, continued through college and professional career. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois in Champaign, she studied Industrial Design and Art History, graduated with Highest Honors and then earned her MBA. Today, Claudia creates and shows artwork in the Chicago and Grand Haven areas, seeking inspiration in current events and explorations in art history. www.claudiasmalley.com

PRESS: Spreading the Pit Art Word

2010-07-03T15:09:00.003-04:00

The Discerning Brute

Artist #03: Magda Smolenska

2010-07-03T08:00:00.010-04:00

Magda Smolenska is a self-taught artist who enjoys painting through experimentation with different media and techniques. Oil paints are usually the preferred medium but that does not prevent her from doctoring them up with various ingredients to change the feel of the finished product. Her inspiration comes from the everyday events, friends, laughs, personal disasters, things she's seen, and things she'd like to see. Magda has traveled extensively and has seen the works of masters and the museums dedicated to them. However, to her, art is random, and each painting becomes a manifesto of feelings, colors, and assemblies. She takes art as it comes, in all shapes and forms, and most importantly as a part of her life. She states "In my mind, art has made me a better architect and architecture has made me a better artist." www.hoboartlab.com

Ecorazzi Helps Spread the Word

2010-07-02T17:39:00.008-04:00

Buzz for this project is growing by the hour. Our friends over at Ecorazzi were kind enough to spread the word on their blog. Check it out!

Animal-Loving Artists Team Up For ‘Art For Pitties’ Project

Artist #02: Afarin Sajjadian

2010-07-02T08:00:00.004-04:00

Afarin Sajjadian received her Bachelors in Chemical Engineering in Iran in 2005 and with a passion for creative challenges and architectural design, she continues her education at The New Jersey Institute of Technology to pursue a Master of Architecture. Afarin is a self-proclaimed artist and designer, a photography enthusiast and loves to draw. Afarin won The Excellence in Design Award in 2009 and held several exhibitions of her studio projects, and other artworks such as watercolor paintings in Iran and the U.S. She expects to graduate in December 2010 and is currently working on her group exhibition of traditional Iranian paintings which is scheduled to start in September 2010 in NYC.

Artist #01: Dwayne Lutchna

2010-07-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Dwayne Lutchna is a graphic designer and vegan living in Brooklyn, NY.
He graduated with honors from The School of Visual Arts and is currently a
Senior Designer at Comedy Central. Dwayne is also a partner at Fresh Milk
Design Co. and enjoys working with non-profit groups to promote animal advocacy. www.dwaynelutchna.com

2010-07-01T01:40:00.007-04:00

Each day AFP will post a different contributing artists' bio and link to their work until the first day of the auction. Please visit often!

2010-07-01T01:29:00.010-04:00

ART FOR PITTIES is on Facebook. Come "Like" us and stay updated.