Two Weeks...and then...

EMMI

Two weeks have gone by since Emmi crossed the Bridge and it still seems like she will come walking into the room at any moment.

I got some nice cards and emails of condolence...thanks so much.

This past week I got a chance to stop by Bristol Animal Shelter and got a huge reminder of just how adorable kittens are and the temptation was great but with Lizzie being 13 yrs old in a few weeks, it is just not the time to go down that road.

But...the joyfulness of cats and especially kittens...oh my! They have 2 little tigers (and many other wonderful animals for adoption, I might add) that are about the age of when I brought Emmi and Dinah home.

I was in heaven watching them pounce and tumble and play together. Ahhh.

I can't help it but I keep thinking of girl names....hahahaha!

Someday...someday....

I also think about the paintings that will come from that whole experience so I DO look forward to when the time is right.

In the meantime...Lizzie is more precious than ever...and I am so thankful for her generally good health. The age issues are manageable.

Leo and I spend a fair share of time kissing her and showering love and attention, as if she would ever be denied!

I am also looking forward to Fall and returning to the studio with new eyes.

I am hoping that starting out small and testing the waters with some painting time will work well with all this therapy to the right shoulder.

Somethings got to give.

That is the intention I have put out to the universe...so we shall see.

Who knows where it might take me.

***

The painting above is one of my personal favorites ...I painted this one many years ago of my Emmi and it was the painting I used to teach myself about painting eyes.

It is 14x18 and it hangs in our living room in the Lizzie and Emmi collection of portraits.

I am very fond of the close-up contemporary composition of this painting.

It is not a large piece but it commands attention on the wall.

Fun to paint with all the color, strokes and details in a small format.

So happy now that I did this piece. She had "the look" and it still gets to me.

~~~

Oscar UPDATE!

Oscar's "mom" Pam reports that her boy is home and trying to run and play "as if nothing happened" to him.

He is doing well as he recovers from surgery at home with his family.

It really is wonderful when you know you can bring them home from the Veterinary hospital and get to enjoy and appreciate every moment of their lives.

What a great thing when you can share GOOD news!

Get Well Oscar!

Oscar recently had emergency surgery this is a shout out to say we wish him a quick recovery.

***

I have had the pleasure of using his likeness to create some fun paintings

that have generated funds for helping homeless animals. He is an inspiration and has helped friends in need!

Oscar's images have always been used with permission as with all and any references for paintings.

***

We wish our friend Oscar a big

GET WELL SOON!

Dachshund Blues

(model in the painting: Oscar)

The Jimmy Fund ~ Help Make a Difference!

What do you do with negative energy that you feel with personal loss?

I have always turned it around with a focus on CHARITY for others...It is a purely selfish way for me to help me feel better! And it has always worked.

REFOCUS off my own wallowing misery and blast the negativity with POSITIVE energy. Unfortunately there is no lack of need for charity in our world.

One of the threads that runs through my life is Cancer and Cancer Treatment.

My family has had its share just as many other families have. It is a horrible common denominator. One I wish we never shared.

My sister, father-in-law, nephew, cousins, aunts, uncles and dearest friends have been down that road. Almost all have been treated in Boston, Ma. We have been fortunate to be so close to world class care.

Massachusetts has the DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE that treats people from around the world. http://www.dana-farber.org/

My own cousin Pat has been the most current patient in the family who is in a treatment plan at DF that is keeping brain cancer at bay. We are thankful for what they have been doing for her for the last 5 years. It is a miracle of healthcare.

And then there are the Children....

The JIMMY FUND is another part of the cancer care of Dana Farber's outreach.

You can read about them here: http://kids.pmc.org/

Children and Cancer...it's just WRONG.

We need to keep beating the hell out of those cancers with support of funding for treatment and the good work they are doing to keep kids surviving and thriving.

I am supporting the August effort of the PAN MASS CHALLENGE.

If you would like to make a donation to help Children through the Jimmy Fund you can read more here.

http://www.pmc.org/profile/CG0090(our Vet, Dr Cathy Grossi is riding in the challenge and we support her effort.)

THE PAN MASS CHALLENGE

http://www.pmc.org/

I will be posting this on TWITTER and FACEBOOK and if you feel like sharing it with others PLEASE DO! Helping comes in many ways and sometimes it is just to get the word out...you never know on what fertile ground those seeds will fall!

As always...thank you for your support and friendship through the years!

Carol

The Light In The Darkness - Dr Cathy Grossi DMV

I want to say a warm and public Thanks to Dr. Cathy Grossi from Acoaxet Veterinary Clinic in Westport, Ma.

She first saw Emmi in May when I thought that we were going to have her euthanized. Emmi had a sudden respiratory problem that I thought might be her heart and lungs giving in to old age. I was wrong.

Dr. Grossi gave us the option to try an antibiotic and see if it would help...She determined Emmi's heart was strong and her lungs seemed clear...she was so right. Emmi rallied and we were given the gift of time.

Dr. Grossi showed us the most compassion and care that we have ever encountered in first hand Veterinary care. We have had many capable Vets help us but this was the exceptional care you could only wish for in this kind of situation.

Emmi went back in once more with one more attempt to stem the tide and buy a bit more time and once again it was granted. ALWAYS with the idea that ONLY if it was the best thing for Em. We did hospice care this last week. Emmi died at home with us. Peacefully on her terms.

Yesterday I dug out the old photos...pre-digital...and scanned in a few gems of the the "girls" ...those pics did not make me sad at all. They brought back the FUN and light hearted moments of Emmi and Dinah...Leo and I laughed at the memories. We had such good years with them. So Thankful.

Dinah left us much too soon and has never, for a moment, been forgotten.

Em and Di are now reunited I am sure.

Many, many thanks go to Dr. Grossi for her compassionate care of Emmi and of us. There just are not enough words to say what we feel about her. She is gifted in her work. She was the light in our dark time.

Emmi two months after she became ours. Look at that little face!

Emmi and Dinah circa 95

The princess in 97 ...pre-Lizzie.

She never gave up the top spot in the pack order.

LOL!
***

RESCUE AND ADOPT!

Emmi Chretien ~ 1993-2011

Today at 6:15 AM July 17th Emmi crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She did it HER way at home with Leo right beside her. My husband is the very best of the best and his wish was that she stay home with us until her last day. He has stayed with her for the last week every night downstairs in the fish room where she was most comfortable. She was not alone, she was loved until the last.

Emmi gave us everything she had. She rests now out front under the holly tree with her companion cat Dinah.

I wanted to share a few of the paintings Emmi inspired that helped a lot of animals in rescue. She was my constant companion in the studio. My sweetie.

"Ironic...Isn't It?"

***


"Pick Me Up"
(should read, "Feed Me")
***

The Story Teller

***

A Nap Among the Toys

***

And my very personal favorite
and an actual studio portrait...in my collection...

Catching Butterflies

***

and...

This is our Emmi herself in her

is-ness...

Emmi in the studio (photo from 2002)

Emmi's Story

In 1993 a little gray, peach & white kitten became part of our family. We named her Emmi and she was the most adorable addition to our life. She was the wildest and funniest little kitten among 2 big litters in the pet store.

Yes...I bought her and her "sister" Dinah from Rumford Pet Center in East Providence, RI. That was before I knew about shelters and adoptions, and it was also at a time when that store took in litters from the local neighborhood...average domestic non-pedigreed cats and sold them for 19.99 each with first shots and worming AND a 5 lb bag of kitten chow. You might just as well say they were adoptees.

When I went to pay for them at the register the cashier yelled across the store to a co-worker "SHE's TAKING THE LITTLE GRAY ONE!" that was hint of the fun to come. And we did have fun.

We lost Dinah to cancer at age 12, it came about seemingly suddenly and then she was gone. Dinah was a beauty, very elegant, sleek and graceful, shy and regal. Emmi...not so much.

Short little cobbie cat. Short legs and round body, the most beautiful fur and what a little clown.

Personality enough for a dozen cats, a lovable and chatty character who loved to climb as high as possible. Where Dinah would NEVER venture above chair seat height, Emmi often would leap up to a beam 12 ft high in the kitchen and would almost give me a heart attack when she had to get down from there. I would grab a sofa cushion for the top of the china cabinet so she wouldn't pound down hard on her legs from so high.

Loved to eat, always wanted to be first with my attention, over the years loved to put our dog in her place (Emmi was a little Thug in that dept) but she loved Leo and me. She had so many nick-names, "Emmi-tubba-lada" or Thuggie, or Cranky Pants Emmi or Emmi-kins or just... Sweets.

In '93 Those kittens came to us when we were suffering so much grief, we had lost both our Dad's in 2 years...then all 3 of our elderly pets inside of a month, 4 months after my Dad's sudden death. Our house was so empty and we were so sad I can't even describe the incredible feel of the blackness. Joyless and quiet with no feeling of life in our home.

5 days of a no pet home and then we found Emmi & Dinah. Suddenly we had joy and laughter and antics that only 2 adorable little kittens forever playing together could bring back to a home. We loved them from go. They had 4 years before Lizzie our Dalmatian joined the crew. But it all worked out. I would not have traded a moment of them in my life even for the bleakness of the last day.

My very constant studio companion, Emmi pulled through a near fatal bout of hyperthyroidism a few years ago and we were greatful for the time with her...knowing that the reprieve was a gift of time.

She gave us all she had. We will miss her more than words can say. I hope Dinah came to greet her...at the Bridge.

Emmi was the inspiration for many, many paintings that ultimately gave funds to rescue and helped other cats in need. She was my muse, my model extraordinaire.

She will always have a piece of our hearts. There will never be another Emmi.

Life and Making Choices...

Hello my fellow travelers...life is a journey and you are either on board with that or not. Right now I am like the painting subject above...looking out to sea and wondering what is coming over that horizon in the next blink.

Some of you know that I have been trying my best to manage a miserable orthopedic problem with my right shoulder that is just not working out for me.

With the help of a wonderful massage therapist I have taken it as far as it can go and have given it a good fight to keep from even a hint at a surgical solution.

Yesterday I finally gave in and now my next step is to have an orthopedic surgeon weigh-in on what will happen next.

I am suspending my painting for now and just wanted to let you know that I have so appreciated you following and supporting my efforts on behalf of the animals in rescues that I have been privileged to work with.

I am hoping that I will be back at the easel before long if things go well with whatever options I am given and path I must take.

You can always send me a Hello on my FaceBook page or email anytime.

Thanks for your friendship and support and I will catch you on the flip side!

All my best...Carol

(I will also post this in an email through my website ...sorry if you get to see it twice!)

Scout....a work in progress

SCOUT

A work in progress... The very rough beginning to convey the idea. I start with some simple lines to place the subject on the canvas.

Finding the personality and emotion.

I like to go straight to the eyes to start. It is eerie when you have vacant eyes of a living subject and also I find that I am in "their company" once they are "there" with me in the studio. All the inspiration, for me, comes from the subject and what they mean to their person.

Now we are getting somewhere.

Color for background and collar have been discussed and approved. Scout is taking shape for sure and I am enjoying the process.

This canvas is 14x18 and a pleasure to be painting him in the close up format.

He has very beautiful eyes and markings and this will be a keepsake portrait that will draw the viewer in and touch the heart of Scout's mom.

This is the 3rd pass, and with another session or two I will have completed the piece.

Like negative space, the time between actual painting sessions gives you a chance to study the work and where you want to go next. This is all part of my working process.

***

This has been posted with permission of the client to share the process.


ABOUT THE SUBJECT:

Scout is an almost 10 yr old hound/shepard mix who was adopted out of a Washington DC shelter. His "mom" says he started with, and still has, an over abundance of energy.

Scout has a few hobbies that include "counter surfing & snagging" and taking things from the bookcase, along with rifling through a purse or two and finding money! He LOVES the park.

But..."he makes me happy, he is like a little person and understands almost anything you say, even when he doesn't want to listen to you" ...Scout is "stubborn, spoiled, and has the most personality his mom has ever had around"...that is a testimony many of us share about our beloved companions. (just ask my Lizzie! LOL)

Scout is a "velcro" dog. :o)

***

All my work provides a donation to a rescue when completed.

PLEASE consider an adoption from your local shelter...it saves lives.

And if possible, consider supporting a shelter with needed items, time, fostering or donations.

Thanks for looking and supporting rescue with art!

Loose Ends and New Things....

Munchkin's Painting for Falmouth Friends of Dogs rescue in Falmouth MA

has found its home.

I received a nice email that they forwarded to me from the winner of the fundraising raffle.

A true coast to coast effort, the painting is now in New Mexico.

Ellen B. loves the painting and the work done by this rescue and the knee surgery that gave this dog a better future.

It is nice to know that people help from all over the country!

"MUNCHKIN"

****

On the easel:

"HALIFAX"

(a work in progress)

This week has seen some requests for commissions in my inbox...I have been moving slowly since the first of the year. Some of you may know from my FaceBook postings that I have been
doing some therapy on my "painting arm" and trying to get back into the work of helping rescue with art but the pace is slow.

One of the commissions I started a few weeks ago is of Halifax the beagle.

( I have permission to share some work in progress from Hali's dad.)

This painting will be done this week. The charity that will benefit will be BONES at the client's request.

***

New work is about to start. I look forward to "picking up the pace" and getting some

good rescue work going.

Thanks for looking...updates coming soon.

Happy Valentine's Day...

Wishing everyone a day of Love.

And have a wonderful day.

***

Please support your favorite rescue,

Give your heart to a pet up for adoption.

Sponsor a pet in foster care.

Volunteer with a local group.

Help comes in many ways...

Dayna Hilton (please see this link to learn more http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/ )

is a firefighter dedicated to educating children about fire safety.

Sparkles, a wonderful Dalmatian teacher, traveled the country with Dayna helping in this endeavor. Now Siren has stepped up to help carry on the teaching with her buddy Tango, Dayna's other fabulous dalmatian helper.

Siren, still a pup but growing fast, is a beautiful dal in training for the tasks he will assume and I was lucky enough to have permission to paint him in hopes of helping with some fundraising for the cause. I was inspired by his beautiful eyes, the idea of him answering a call to duty, and also as a tribute to Sparkles' memory.

All proceeds go to the fund.

Dayna blogged about the painting here: http://sparklesthefiresafetydog.blogspot.com/2011/01/painting-arrives-from-artist-carol.html

And now...

I want to share this link that will help provide the funding that takes teaching children about fire safety to schools around the country.

http://www.cafepress.com/sparklestfsd/7650100

If you would like to help please shop here...and share the links ...every bit helps raise awareness and can save lives.

It's a New Year!

" Bobby Boo"

detail

a Christmas commission 2010

~~~~

Wishing everyone a wonderful NEW YEAR!

I am in the process of getting the studio up and running for 2011.

Commissions are already booked and work will resume shortly.

(every piece of work I do gives a donation to a non-profit rescue)

***

It was a crazy finish to 2010...

The old year ended not as planned...with blizzards and cold bugs and cancelled travel plans.

Not a great ending, I did however get all my commitments completed! WHEW!

The new year is a new beginning and hopefully we will be able to help many homeless animals again this year with sales of art and art related items.

and...

ART HELPING ANIMALS

continues to grow as well!

we have new artists joining us and new work to celebrate

we have almost reached the

80,000.00

mile stone of funds donated from artists helping animals in need.

~~~

I hope you can coninue to join us and follow our journey with art that helps.

***

Have a healthy and happy New Year everyone.

all my best,

Carol

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

A Healthy Happy New Year to All!

***

Our 2010 Charlie Brown tree!

Closing up Shop ....

The Studio is officially "closed" for the year. I leave you with a few of the Christmas Commissions I have completed this season...a sampling, if you will.

I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a blessed and healthy New Year.

It has been a year of struggle for many in this economy and the Rescues have felt the weight of the increase of animals in their care, and donations going down.
The next year will be just as challenging, and the need to give care find homes for the abused, neglected & abandoned, just as urgent.

My wish is to keep helping where I can with donations to the frontliners who save lives, foster, rehab & rehome.
I continue to serve this end in my humble way...Every painting I will paint will send a donation to a rescue in need...that remains my promise.

I hope you continue to follow the work along with me and join me if you can ....and...God bless us, everyone!

Lily

Sterling

Ashley

L'il Orange One

***

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU AND FOR ALL THAT YOU DO

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

See you in 2011

Carol Chretien

Bristol Art Gallery ...for the animals

APRIL BLUES AGAIN

THE CALL HOME

***

These two paintings will be on display framed and hung at the

BRISTOL ART GALLERY

423 Hope St

Bristol, RI

the weekend of Dec 10th.

www.bristolartgallery.net

***

Each oil painting is 150.00 framed ready to gift!

signed front and back with certificate of authenticity as original art.

***

the proceeds from the sale will go to help

BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER

***

This shelter has been working tirelessly to get the new shelter built and it will happen
in the near future thanks to all the people who have donated to the cause.

These rescue animals deserve to have the comfort that many have never known

as they are rehomed into loving families.

***

Coming in February is the fundraiser

Mardi Gras Ball

more info to follow.

thanks for helping homeless animals

THE GIFT OF ART!

If you would like to choose a Gift for your loved one

this Christmas

AND

you want to support your favorite rescue...

(a donation will go to rescue)

PLEASE don't wait:

***

Available until DECEMBER 7th

I will send out to you a Christmas Box full of giving joy

as an announcement for an

ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING

by

CAROL CHRETIEN

of your giftee's favorite pet!

The box will be festive and ready for gifting.

***

details will all be included for them to contact me after January 1st

and we will create something they will treasure.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE GIVING

A ONE OF A KIND

GIFT

something that will not get lost in the gifts under the tree

or forgotten in a few weeks!

***

GIVE THE GIFT OF ART!

Happy Holidays

email me soon to book a gift announcement!

carolchretien@aol.com

gifting that helps homeless animals!

Healing Art....

We who love animals, are IN love with animals and are owned by our "pets" (if you remember your 101 Dalmatians you remember that "Pongo" called Roger HIS "pet")...same applies to our situation.

Our 2 animals are growing older and it hurts to see time passing. I am comforted by the fact that all the love given to them comes back to us 10 fold. They have wonderful lives.
It is our duty that we make it our duty to give them the best.

I have had the opportunity to make a friend on Facebook because of my love for all things Dalmatian and yet it is a little bittersweet.

I discovered Dayna Hilton, a firefighter and her dog SPARKLES the FIRE SAFETY DOG and all the great work they have done teaching children about how to stay safe and about fire prevention.

Sparkles passed on shortly after my finding out about her.
Dayna Hilton is going on with the work and has two beautiful Dalmatians in her life. One of them is Tango and one is a young pup named Siren.
Siren is a striking blue-eyed boy who has some big paw prints to fill.

When Dayna posted a pic of Siren I was so taken by him that I asked if I could paint him...I saw in him the idea that He would go on and maybe be the healer for her and be the light for lots of kids, maybe continuing with Sparkles' work going forward.
She gave me permission to paint Siren and below is the finished painting and my concept of Siren answering the call to duty.
I hope the painting helps Dayna's heart heal along with Sparkles' legacy....and all the good things that Siren will bring to many lives. This painting is my gift to Dayna and to help with her work.

Siren's Call To Duty

16x20

oil on canvas

gifted to Dayna Hilton in memory of Sparkles.

All proceeds from this painting's use will benefit the foundation for teaching children fire safety.

***

Why Oils?

Why do I choose oils? I so admire many of the other mediums but no matter what I have tried, I always return to my first love...

Oil Paint.

***

Wild Woman

available oil on canvas

***

I fell in love with them in my teens and many decades later still appreciate the light and depth of oils.

They really depend on the lighting they are viewed in. You can move an oil painting from one source of light to another and see a whole different painting.

I notice this particular characteristic when looking at landscapes. The light in the painting changes.

This works because the light shines through the oil paint to the canvas and back out to the eye.

You will notice how certain passages will almost have a "light from within" warm light really brings the warm colors forward.

One of the challenges of taking photos, and now with digital sharing, you try to get the best light for images in afternoon north light.

What you see on your computer monitor may still be nothing like the actual painting.

***

When I send out my paintings to the client I am always hopeful they will see the work as so much more dynamic and full of life. Especially animals. Those faces and eyes are very lively and dimentional when you are looking at the actual canvas.

You also get the benefit of the brush and daubs of color that are missed in the digital example. Texture is also missed unless you are looking at the real thing.

But we must work with what we have and the images travel far and wide online and really have impact in audience reach.

***

One of the nicest and poignant comments I get is that my works makes the viewer emotional. That is pretty cool when you think that I am taking pigments and materials and arranging them on a piece of cloth to transform into something that has heart.

That is Alchemy in the truest sense. It is a magical, mystical thing even to me.

Where does it come from?

I really do have the best job in the world. Sometimes I don't even know what will appear on the canvas as I go. It often seems like it is already there and I just seem to uncover it. That is something most artists must encounter.

Hopefully.

***

Another of the attributes of oils is that the paint often suggests where to go next. This is hard to explain except to say it remains a teacher of sorts for me.

***

This is today's ramble. :)

If you would like to shop for a Christmas of Holiday gift that will provide a donation to help an homeless animal and make your giftee happy:

http://aheart4art-carolchretien.blogspot.com/

or email me to see about an after Christmas gift certificate for a custom painting.

Have a grace-filled day!

NEW ADDITIONS ~Christmas Art SALE!

New Additions to the first STUDIO "C" Art Sale have been entered here:

"Waiting At the Gates" (above) is included!

http://aheart4art-carolchretien.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-additions-christmas-studio-sale.html

***

Click the link to see what paintings are available to purchase before

Christmas

GIFTING or PURCHASING

FINE ART

will be the distinctive gift under the tree!

You will help a rescue and be the best gift-giver ever!

Variety of subjects available.

Also see the PAGE 1 LINK

and which paintings are STILL available.

Some have sold and rescues have received donations.

Each painting is an original oil and each is 75.00

of which 15.00 goes straight to rescue.

Happy Shopping!

thanks for looking and please share the link with friends.

A Time For Giving...

From now until the end of the year we are thinking about

How Can We Help?

***

The 14th Annual Four Paws Charity Auction for Homeless Cats and Dogs

November 20th 6:30-9:00PM

at HAWTHORNE COUNTRY CLUB

Dartmouth, MA

www.animaladvocatesma.org

These 2 framed prints of my original oils will be part of the Auction this year!

100% donation

If you are in the area, please consider this event for helping homeless animals!

There will be many different items available beside artwork.

They do a wonderful job all year long working to help homeless animals.

share your blessings!