LET's GET OUR ELF ON!

(Under the Tree - original oil)

Carol Chretien

2010

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Today is the end of November...it is going out like a lamb!

For New England, 60 degrees and more is a gift at this time of year.

It is saving us heating costs and letting us get out and get things done without freezing our ornaments off!

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Times are tough for many but it is the season of giving.

Please remember our shelter pets along with the other charitable giving that you normally do at this time of year, or all year, as is your way.

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Your local shelters and rescues have needs lists and donated items are always appreciated and/or any extra dollars donated goes a long way.

Please keep them in mind as you make your lists and check them twice.

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On a personal note: this year we lost our beloved Emmi cat. She is missed but I will be giving in her name so she lives on. That brings happiness in memories.

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I continue with my "Frozen Shoulder" rehab and am finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have much improved range of motion and all the time and money spent working on getting "my painting arm" well is paying off.

And...

My part-time job is almost over and I will be saying good-bye to 37 years of my old life in "health care" in exchange for a great new period of happy creativity making Art my joyful focus.

I welcome that Peace filled heart and soul work!

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I KNOW in 2012 I will be back in the studio beginning from scratch with some new work behind the scenes to get those artistic muscles back in shape.

I will not be selling work right away but I WILL be working on my craft and finding my Muse with hopeful anticipation, again.

I do expect a good period of time when I will be reacquainting myself with my love "of painting just to paint" and perhaps be able to help once again with the charities I love.

That is what my hope for the new year will bring.

Health and a Peaceful Heart.

SO...GET YOUR ELF ON

as we kick off DECEMBER and celebrate the magic of the

CHRISTMAS SEASON

of light and hope.

All my very best,

Carol

Gifts ~ who is the REAL beneficiary?

MEET

BIG POPPY!

I did...he is a beautiful and gentle boy cat who meets and greets you by climbing into your lap and giving you so much peace and joy just to pet him.

PURRFECT companion for the person who wants a feline friend to sit with, read, watch TV or a movie and find your zen moments with.

WHERE IS HE?

at the

BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER

10 Minturn Farm Rd

Bristol RI

http://www.friendsofthebristolanimalshelter.org/default.asp

and Friends of Bristol Animal Shelter

(raising funds for the new facility)

have only one thing that you need to know....

THEY CARE ABOUT FINDING FOREVER HOMES

for

HOMELESS ANIMALS IN NEED.

Below is the link to the FACEBOOK PAGE of those needing homes.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/media/set/?set=a.1738889082042.99085.1533113486

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Recently they put out the call for DONATIONS of cat food.

Always, there are cats and kittens needing care and a place to stay while awaiting adoption.

Several people stepped up to the plate and stopped by (see address above) to drop off some food.

THANKS on their behalf.

YOU ARE WONDERFUL!

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Times are tough for the whole country...every little bit helps.

Whatever you can do...one extra bag while you shop or a Grocery or Walmart gift card designated for pet food. ANYTHING! is SO appreciated for THIS shelter or YOUR local one.

It's all good.

Please give what you can. Time is also something these non-profits can use.

Walk a dog, pet a cat.

~*~BELIEVE ME~*~

YOU will be the beficiary of the Blessing!

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Those of you who know me...

(Keeper of Secrets)
oil
...know I have a passion and mission to use my artwork to help wherever I can.
You also know the last year has been pretty tough for me to be able to do that with a miserable shoulder injury that I am fighting my way back from.
I was given the GRACE to paint this little painting above (using my Rainbow Bridge cat Emmi as my inspiration, yes, she is STILL helping homeless cats!) and to my great surprise it sold internationally almost as soon as it was listed.
(PLEASE visit ART HELPING ANIMALS , link is on the page here, to see the work of artists with a passion to help!)
That little painting helped
TABBY's PLACE & BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER
with all proceeds going to both.

So who gets the true blessing?
In this case ....ME!
I got to give once again to honor my EMMI who provided the inspiration,
and do the work I seem to be called to do.
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Give what you can, the delight in doing it is multiplied many times.
Help homeless animals...they need us!
Thanks so much!
and please check out the animals in your shelter who are looking for your love.

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.

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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)

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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!