Tag: animal rescue

If You Become the Change…You Change

BZTAT at BlogPaws (Photo by Brad Smith Photography)

“If you become the change you want to see, you change.” ~ Melissa Etheridge from What Happens Tomorrow?

Consider me changed.

Wow.

Spending time with Lynn Haigh, coordinator of the Pawpawty, Dr. V. from Pawcurious, Dorian Wagner from Your Daily Cute,  Caroline Golon, staff to Romeo the Cat and BlogPaws cofounder, and Jane Harrell from Petfinder last week at BlogPaws was amazing in and of itself.

Being a part of the “Be the Change” movement that they unleashed at the conference, however, has been life-changing.

Not only has the effort helped to re-commit me to giving back to my community and to animals in need, it has broadened my network of people who are kindred spirits across the world.

Why does an artist keep writing about something that seems sorta non-art related on her art blog?

Because life changing experiences are at the heart of my art, and sharing a love of animals with others in such a deep and meaningful way inspires and motivates my creativity.

I came away from BlogPaws not only with a motivation to do things for animals. I came away with a  renewed and invigorated desire to create.

And one of my creations is helping animal rescue organizations.

One of the neat things about the “Be the Change Blog Challenge” is that I have discovered new blogs that I had rarely or never visited before.  One of these Blogs is Pawcurious, written by Dr. V., a veterinarian from San Diego.

I got to meet Dr. V. at BlogPaws, and she is a very generous and interesting woman with a great sense of humor. I have been poking around her blog a bit and have found her articles heart warming and full of great insights.

In this article about the sad tragedy that happened at Sea World in February, I found a comment that intrigued me:

“I’ve talked in the past about my issues with my daughter’s school and the zero financial support for an arts program.” ~Jessica Vogelsang, DVM

I rather like the fact that a doctor who is highly educated in the sciences realizes the value of the arts as a part of a child’s education.

Dr. V. was lamenting about how schools will spend a fortune to send kids on entertaining pseudo-educational trips to Sea World, yet not spend a dime on arts curricula that would be so much more enriching.

People think that an arts education only trains talented youth for arts related careers. In truth, it does so much more for all children, regardless of their specific talents.

Arts education inspires children to think creatively. It develops character; it motivates children to explore ideas beyond a television set or computer game set; and it stimulates creative problem-solving.

I am convinced that the arts-rich elementary education that I and my brother and sister received in Liberty, Mo. was responsible for not only my own artistic pursuits. It led my brother to become a pioneer in computer systems programming and my sister to become one of the best teachers in the Kanawha County, WV school district.

Arts eduction apparently helped DR. V. become a great veterinarian, and it helped her become a great writer who educates and inspires through her blog.

Here is something few people know about BlogPaws.

From the very beginning, the co-founders wanted to include an arts focus to this very non-arts event. Why?

Because they realized that art completes us. It colors our world. It makes things so much more meaningful. It inspires and moves us, making real-world experiences a part of our soul in a much deeper way.

The PawsArt Exhibit/Silent Auction was a part of the planning from the very beginning of BlogPaws in order to inspire the creativity of the participants.

Seeing the incredibly moving video created by Lynn Haigh, arguably one of the finest creative efforts seen by many in a long time,  has inspired a movement that has exceeded the expectations of a very ambitious crowd.

Would it have happened had we not had the “art” to make it real for us?

I think not.

We are already talking about how the arts will be incorporated into the next BlogPaws event. Do you have any ideas for us? Please leave a comment below if you do.

How have you changed or been changed by art and/or by animals? How are you becoming the change that you want to see?

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

BlogPaws Inspired "Be the Change for Animals" T-Shirts

Yesterday I posted that, as a part of the “Be the Change” blog challenge, I would design a T-Shirt for my CafePress shop and dedicate the proceeds to animal rescue groups.

Well, here is the design.

All proceeds from sales of any product in the“Be the Change for Animals in Need” section of my shop during the month of April and May will go to Pets Without Parents. After May, proceeds from sales of the shirt will go to my local animal charity, Friends of Stark Pound or another worthy animal rescue group.

Pet Bloggers and Animals enthusiasts around the world are participating in the “Be the Change Challenge” by doing small and big things to help animals who are in shelters or are needing special care.

Some are raising donations; some are volunteering at local rescue organizations; and some are dedicating their time and skills to make the world aware of the needs of animal charities around the world.

I hope that you will consider purchasing one of the T-Shirts or doing something else to help pets in need. They give so much to us–can’t we do something for them?

Here is the code if you would like to put the widget for the “Be the Change for Animals” T-Shirt on your website:

<a title=”Be the Change” href=”http://www.cafepress.com/BZTAT/” target=”_blank”><img src=” http://www.romeothecat.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Be-the-Change-f…BlogPaws-LR.jpg” alt=”Be the Change for Animals in Need T-Shirt” width=”150″ height=”150″ />

Oh yeah, and we are having a Twitter BlogPawty on April 21 from 7 pm – 1 am (EST) to have fun and raise money for Pets Without Parents. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for being the CHANGE!

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

BlogPaws PawsArt Art Exhibit and Silent Auction

In addition to the stellar speaker list and the truly fantastic sponsors, BlogPaws 2010 is hosting a Pet Art Exhibit and Silent Auction. As part of the BlogPaws Coordination Team, I have had the pleasure to gather artists and their artwork for the exhibit/auction.

As you can see in the video above, we will have some wonderful artwork by some of the country’s best pet artists available for auction. Make sure you come prepared to bid!

The Silent Auction will kick off immediately following pet expert, Charlotte Reed’s, presentation on Friday night, April 9th.  Attendees will have the chance to stroll around the auction area and silently bid on some wonderful pieces of art.

Our PawsArt Pet Art Silent Auction will feature the artwork of our many talented friends in the blogging community. It will go from our opening on Friday, through 1pm on Saturday afternoon.

Fifty percent of the final auction price will go to the artist, with the other 50% going to the animal rescues we are supporting as part of our ongoing giving program.

So if you are looking to acquire some gorgeous art and support animal welfare in the process, this is the perfect opportunity! You’ll see photography, acrylic and oil paintings, sculpture, hand-blown glass and more!

Featured artists include:

Mozart Dane from Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue near Cincinnati, paints with his paws. He is the Rescue spokesdog against puppy mills and homeless dogs. Sales of his art help support the Rescue. Website: www.hhdane.com/mozart (@MozartDane on Twitter)

Dana Muntean from Canton, Ohio, paints portraits of dogs and other animals, and she creates artworks following many other themes. She has painted numerous interior and exterior murals. She has a studio gallery at Second April Galerie in Canton. She is very active with Friends of Stark Pound, a rescue group that assists the local pound with the care and rehoming of homeless dogs, and she is “mom” to several canine children in her home. Website:  www.danamuntean.com

Sue Steiner from Dalton, Ohio, specializes in equine art, however, she is also well known for painting portraits of cats and dogs and other animals. She has a studio gallery at Second April Galerie in Canton. She has had her artwork published in national magazines. She is an active blogger about her artwork, community arts activities, and her journeys with horse rescue. She has 2 rescue horses that she is currently rehabilitating.Website: www.suesteiner.com (@ArtbySue on Twitter)

Angie Ketelhut from Seattle, Wa paints whimsical portraits of pets as well as people with their pets. She also works with petlovers to create unique uplifting memorial paintings celebrating the lives of four legged friends who have crossed rainbow bridge. She donates paintings & gift certificates to various rescues each year. She is mom to Fatsa, a charming Boston Terrier. Website: www.artbyangie.com (@DogArtist2 on Twitter)

Brian Gryphon from Columbus, OH has been a photographer since taking pictures for his high school yearbook; “a few decades ago” he says. He describes his main subjects as ‘florals and felines’ although he has photographed canines, Canada Geese and cityscapes. He has used his talents to raise funds for Cat Welfare Association and is now President of Animal Outreach; a non-profit serving central Ohio.

Bernadette E. Kazmarski Under the supervision of her cats, Bernadette sells original paintings, prints and merchandise created from her paintings of them. Inspired by her images of her cats, others have commissioned over 100 portraits of cats, dogs and their people in various media. She works in her home studio painting animals and nature and writing fiction and poetry and providing commercial print, web and logo design and illustrations as well as photographing events, and writing articles and publicity. Website: www.bernadette-k.com

Adrian Hitt is a nationally recognized, award-winning dog photographer who creates modern, playful works of art. Her interest in dog photography is founded in her desire to celebrate and encourage the deep bond that develops between human and animal, parent and dog.  Adrian’s photography has been featured in Pedigree advertisements and magazines including People, Professional Photographer and Nashville Paw. She has received numerous awards for her photography and design talents. She enjoys spending everyday with the inspiration behind her career – Benny a charming -and perfect- lab mix rescue.  Website: www.adrianhitt.com.

Rachel Lauren Ridgley is a fine art freelance photographer based in Central Ohio. Her passion and focus is animal portraiture (but she also work with human clients!) In her free time she photographs people, landscapes, and abandoned buildings. Website: www.rachellaurenphotography.com

Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM (AboutVetMed) has been working with beads as an art form since 1987. She started flameworking in April of 2003.  Her biggest inspirations are color, nature and animals. All of the beads are made by her using glass rods and a propane-oxygen torch. The finished bead goes in the kiln to cool slowly over 8 hours to strengthen it; a process called annealing.

BZTAT (AKA Vicki Boatright) from Canton, OH, creates colorful contemporary artworks of cats and dogs and other companion animals. She specializes in painting custom pet portraits in a unique and personal style, and has been commissioned to paint animals all over the world. She is an active blogger on her own website, and she assists her cat Brewskie Butt (AKA The Brew) with his blog. She has helped to raise money for Friends of Stark Pound rescue group in Stark County, and has supported other rescue groups around the world. Websites: www.bztat.com and www.justmeowin.com (@BZTAT and @BrewskieButt on Twitter)

I can’t wait to see YOU at BlogPaws!

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT