NEW WORK!

This little guy is having a moment of fun wrapped in feathers...the painting is offered for sale to help homeless animals and is listed on the NEW ART BLOG hosted by ART HELPING ANIMALS!

One of 3 paintings with the "feather theme" ...8x10 oils on canvas.

the third is on the easel.

Visit the blog...see the wonderful work we are doing in our ART HELPING ANIMALS artist fellowship. http://arthelpinganimals.blogspot.com/

For the homeless, abandoned and rehabilitated pet rescues...Each piece of work sold is art helping us to help them...Thanks for viewing!

Any questions? contact me anytime: carolchretien@aol.com

MARDI GRAS TIME IS COMING

These 3 ACEOs are the remaining 3 of a 5 card series. Tiny pieces of ART only 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches...oil on canvas, collectible and ORIGINAL artwork.
All five were painted for KATRINA ANIMALS still in need and being helped by BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY...these paintings are listed on EBAY through MISSION FISH or if you have any questions...just email me!

Lets do what we can, as much as we can to help homeless animals in 2007!

All my work is signed, dated is catalogued and comes with authentification.

What's NEW?....

The new blog at ART HELPING ANIMALS!!!

It is a wonderful stream of the latest artwork that has been created by artists at Art Helping Animals.

We have been busy this first week of the new year...but the great message here is, it is just the very beginning of 2007!
Our collective work in 2006 has brought well over $15,000.00 to the charities we support. Some of the charities are our "official" AHA charities and others are the local or favorite charities of the artists themselves. The important point being that the neediest animals are receiving the benefits of the art work sold to help them.

Please visit the AHA BLOG ... http://arthelpinganimals.blogspot.com/ where new work can be viewed or purchased...art for sale is also linked to live auctions on eBAY.

Be assured that the artwork is professional, highly collected by art enthusiasts around the globe, and varied in style and media.
Any questions...contact me at carolchretien@aol.com signup for updates of new art at http://arthelpinganimals.com the main site.
View the animals we serve, read their stories and so much more!

It is going to be a great year helping homeless animals through ART!
Link to current auction:
eBay: Mardi Gras Mask ACEO by CHRETIEN Best Friends KATRINA (item 120072540397 end time Jan-14-07 05:52:01 PST)
Image copyrighted to Carol Chretien 2007.
"Royal Masque" new original ACEO oil on canvas, miniture collectable art card in the Mardi Gras tradition.
This is the first original in the series offered to assist the animals of Hurricane Katrina...STILL IN NEED!...offered on EBAY.

An Ending...A Beginning! 2006-2007

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2007!

This last year was one of adventure and learning for me.
I am so fortunate to be aligned with the group of Professional Independent Artists of Art Helping Animals and part of all the wonderful things that were accomplished for so many animals in need this last year.
The list of charities we create for and all their volunteers who do hands-on rescue, healing, fostering, support and adoptions are nothing less than angels to some of the neediest animals in the country.

So many more will need help in this next year and I am inspired to do my small part on their behalf.

I give thanks for what has been accomplished and look forward to all that is ahead for us to do with renewed enthusiasm and hope.

If there is anything to embrace in 2007...there is HOPE!
SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Image detail of "Cat Face" new oil painting... copyright 2006 Carol Chretien.

PEACE OF THE SEASON ...

...is wished for you.
May the Spirit of the Season find you and lift you up.
May you pass that feeling on to others you meet.
If you have been given great gifts, may you share them with those who might need a little help.
Find your passion this year and fly with it.
Reach for good health with gusto.
Remember those who are away from home...pray for their safe return.
Love your fellow man, be very kind to the animals.
Spread cheer.
Do good deeds, make miracles, be someone's guiding star, be an angel, be joyous.

Have Safe and Happy Holidays!

Original oil painting by Carol Chretien, copyright 2005.

MAKE A WISH!

Yesterday it was serendipity that I had the car radio on as I was out doing errands & shopping & thinking about what I could get my 92 yr old Uncle for Christmas....as I have blogged (ad nauseum) this Christmas Season...my theme is that none of us need anything so lets just get to it and give to those who do.

Then the amazing answer came...the MAKE A WISH of MASSACHUSETTS wish-a-thon was in it's last day on 103.3 ...what better way to celebrate the day than to make a donation to honor my Uncle (and a few others in the family) than with a gift that will help grant wishes to terminally ill children in my own state?!

BRILLIANT!
So now the artist in me will design a card to put that bit of news into to present as a gift to my Uncle!!! Gift is made and everyone is happy!

How lucky to be able to spend the money wisely, give a really meaningful gift, honor an elder and imagine the happiness of a child who has a special wish fulfilled!!!!

SO GLAD I HAD THE RADIO ON IN THAT MOMENT.

You ever notice how when you ask the Universe a question...if you are listening for it, you DO get an answer?
Can You Hear the Bells?

original painting & image copyright 2006 CAROL CHRETIEN.

The Merry Elves Of December!

Tis the season to be jolly...and just how jolly can YOU get?
Pretty darn jolly if you are an ELF!

These are the JOLLY DAYS...the opportunity to spread a little cheer and do a little good. Just find a way to help (the ways are many) and begin.

Here are some elves to inspire you...they wrapped for the children who will have some wonderful presents donated by many citizens this Christmas Season of giving!

The Ghosts of Christmas Past

Memories...this is a time of year to look back even if you find it difficult or bittersweet.
You can look WAY back if you have a few good decades under your belt.


Some of us are so lucky in life to have some really great memories.
I was one who can only remember the good times of Christmas Past.

Happy times, lots of family, great food, the toys from Santa...my brother's trains and race cars and games, my dolls, their clothes and carriages. Snowy winter vacations with sledding and snow forts...bundling up and playing all day.

VERY lucky, we have been.

Life goes on, we grow up, time flies by and we start losing the family members we've loved all our lives.

It IS life, it is inevitable....it isn't easy. This time of year connects us to our Ghosts and the memories come alive as we rediscover old ornaments and trinkets collected...as we keep some of the old traditions that certain missing members of the family enjoyed. Even shopping can be difficult when you see items that those loved ones would have been crazy about.
They may still be on the Christmas card list, and you still wish you could dial their numbers still in your phone's memory.

I find I have many visits from my own Ghosts as I go through these days. The signs of the seasons call them to you. They may have been gone for many years or just a few...it doesn't matter...they return as vibrant as ever, you see the smiles, you hear the laughs, you feel the emotion of the happy days and sometimes the twinges of discomfort of their leaving.

Welcome them in for a visit...cherish the happy memories. Give thanks that you can say you had them then and can remember them now.


Then do something to really honor them...make a donation or two where it will do others some good...the ones who may not be collecting the memories you still enjoy in your own heart...give to children, give to homeless pets, give to the elderly, give to the ill, .....give time, give items, give money, give blood!

Make the Spirit of Christmas Present one of the good Ghosts you can recall in Christmases to come.

FOR LOVE OF A FRIEND...

Sometimes in life you are REALLY lucky and you meet people who become like family in your heart.

A very LONGGGGGG time ago I met a girl named Kathy who was one of the funniest, upbeat, energized characters you just had to become good friends with.

We became part of a larger group of friends and we named ourselves "The Breakfast Club"...but we never did breakfast as a group! No matter where the paths of life took us we kept in touch, getting together several times a year and especially at Christmas time.
We meet for a Holiday Celebration every year at a restaurant called BENJAMIN's that is a beautiful old victorian house that is decorated to the nines and so festive for Christmas.

Tonight is our first gathering without our friend Kathy (the life of every party she was ever at!)...we lost her this past year to breast cancer although she gave it a hard fisted fight and was Kathy right to the last.

I just want to send out a thought about friends and the meaning they hold in our lives...we may not see each other everyday but we hold them dear.
Treasure your friends, keep in touch, time is always much shorter than we think it's going to be.
This Holiday Season I will be remembering my good friend with a donation to a charity in her memory. I am happy to honor her memory, it will be her helping others...but I wish I could hug her really tight once again.

Forever Paws

One of my local animal shelters is called FOREVER PAWS located in Fall River, Massachusetts (visit www.foreverpaws.com ) they survive on donations only.

Like every shelter they are full to capacity, and like every shelter in winter they need help.

Recently my cousin Deborah and myself made a pact not to exchange gifts with each other. We always buy things neither of us really needs but want them to show our love at Christmas time. It's what people do.


THIS year we are making donations to honor each other to FOREVER PAWS. It is a WONDERFUL GIFT to give and receive. And the BEST PART...
...THIS MONTH IF YOU DONATE TO FOREVER PAWS YOUR DONATION IS MATCHED BY THE FEINSTEIN FOUNDATION.


Your gift will REALLY make an impact!


PLEASE give what you can...it will help those homeless animals that wait for their Forever Home.
~Spay and Neuter, encourage others to do the same with their pets.
~Give what you can, money, time, foster if possible, give items that will help the shelter (check their needs list!)
~Help the rescue of your choice in YOUR own area.


Make your holidays MERRIER by what you can do...it makes such a difference when it is all added together.

Every penny counts.

Success Has Many Faces

What has the year brought you? Have you made it a Success?


Painting has given me a great way to express myself and show the world some of what goes on in my mind in a way that says it succinctly. For me, making art is about using creative energy in a positive way.


This morning as I was gathering up paper work that follows the art work (only part of the work I don't enjoy!) I was amazed at how many of my paintings this year have gone to homes around the USA and even as far away as Australia!


I am not sure who the official "powers that be" are that decide about who or what is a "success" but I am sure I am humbled by how many new people are enjoying my original art work and how it has helped to make some forgotten and abandoned animals a little more comfortable this year through creative giving.

In that regard, ART HELPING ANIMALS is an astounding success for that alone.


"Success" has many faces and most of them have been of needy and homeless animals waiting for their own adoptive homes or of my own animals who continue to help others by being inspiration and models for much of my work.

I recently listed for charity a painting of our cat Sesby who was with us for 18 yrs and even though she has been gone for over 13 yrs she is helping unfortunate animals through my memory of her in oil paint.

It has been a great year for sending this work out and getting wonderful response and feedback. I think of it as sending this heartfelt energy into the world, letting it go and hoping that it makes an impact that's for the greater good somewhere. We all create this kind of energy with every contact and exchange we make all day long. Everyone has choices and chances daily to AMP up and get that energy moving.


I am so thankful to the following artists who have inspired me all year and everyday...
Stella Violano, Melinda Dalke, Vernita Bridges-Hoyt, Robin Joy Andreae, Tanya Amberson, Sandra Merwin, Andy Mathis, Peggy Henderson,Cori Solomon, Cathrin McMillan, & Amber Lowe.
Talented, Accomplished, Giving, Inspirational ...every one.

Go out...create some energetic good and see success looking back at you from those many faces.

A New Day

AH yes...another one!

I am a morning person...seeing the sunrise is the usual for me.
It is also the best part of my day when everything is ahead and I have a chance to make it a great day....or not.
Sting sang about it and it's said on a Clear Day, you can see forever. So it begins with a plan. What will I make of my Brand New Day?

In the evolution of these last few years, my days are heavily vested in art. With being an artist comes many new opportunies to express much of the core interests, feelings and beliefs I hold dear. Combined with this season we collectively appear to consider as the season of giving, it has become for me more about the season of doing.

That would seem to make it easy to organize....make list, check it twice...fa la la la la la la...hmmmm nope. It is still overwhelming when you start seeing the "countdown" and the clock has this loud ticking sound (if only in your own imagination.)
RULE # 1: DON"T PANIC!
RULE# 2: Decide what is most important to you.
RULE# 3: OPEN YOUR EYES.
RULE# 4: Where is the need? What GOOD will your efforts do?

YOUR answers will help you form a plan and a good plan it will be.
We have all seen the news of lines of people cramming into malls and stores stepping on each other, running people down to get the chance to grab some merchandise and charge up their charge cards.
My brain asks...WHY? What is THAT all about? I don't get it.
Each to their own...do as you will...but I make a suggestion to keep it sane and keep it real...

Get up at sunrise...take a breath, look at the possibilities the day holds...where can you do some good this day? What will you paint on your life's canvas today?

This holiday season can start with a brand new day, everyday...or you can go back to bed and let it ride.
Your call. And have a nice day!

photo image: copyright 2006 Carol Chretien
Please visit www.carolchretien.com and www.arthelpinganimals.com for alternatives to the Mall.

GET IN THE SPIRIT

Get your jingle bells polished and get that string of lights untangled.
Officially tomorrow kicks off the HOLIDAY SEASON!
Well I am kicking it off with a little HOLLY DAL for your HOLIDAYS.

Look into the eyes of this little spottie and then avoid the Christmas Rush and the Holiday Crush...open your HEARTS and make a donation to your favorite charity!
It is not about adding more to your list of things to do... it is all about helping those who really need it.
I choose to do several things in my ELF role this year...support the neediest animals, give to the children at St Judes and become a wrapping ELF (not RAPPING ELF...holy cow!HO HO HO) a gift wrapping ELF for Catholic Charities in my area.
We have so MANY opportunities to do good and help where we can.
We don't even have to give $$$$$ ....we can give time! Be PRESENT where needed.
Do it in memory of those we love and miss, those who have passed from our lives but not our hearts!

I am dedicating all I can do this year to the memories of my Holiday's Past.
I have been blessed by love and family and the most excellent years of happy memories ...now is the time to pay it forward.

In memory of my Dad (George) and my Father & Mother-in-law (Leo & Hazel)and my sister (Linda) and my dear friend (Kathy)... I am in official ELF MODE!

Do what YOU can and pass on the CHEER, the SPIRIT and the JOY!

BE AN ELF!

Give till it FEELS GOOD!

I will say this MANTRA until the end of the year...I DO NOT need another gizmo, sweater, pair of earrings or any other item bought for me again this year. No, I am not ungrateful to those who remember me with a gift. But I really don't need more STUFF.
In fact, I am willing to bet the farm that most of us don't need more STUFF.
So what to do?
I plan to give whatever I can to help those in need. That is to say, people and pets who have a heck of a lot less than I do. Maybe they haven't got a roof, maybe they haven't enough to eat, maybe they need some kindness shown to them, they might be lonely, too.

I don't have to tell anybody what they need to do. I give people credit for knowing that there is need out there.
Most of us blogging and accessing the internet are doing OK. I think that is a safe assumption to make. So if you can give a little, share a little and acknowledge how GREAT it feels to help a bit...then give a little more and really feel some Spirit and Joy course through you like that Holiday Egg Nog!
Be an ELF!
Sprinkle Some Cheer!

GIVE THE GIFT OF ART TO HELP HOMELESS ANIMALS.
image copyright 2006 Carol Chretien

A Time For Giving

We are swiftly approaching that all American Holiday....Thanksgiving.



When I give it any thought at all I think of it as a day to remember the goodness and blessings I have had in my life. I remember the people and beloved pets who have gone. I remember the wonderful past holidays with all my family and how much love I have in my life today.


It is a time for giving to others who have less than I do. It may not be much more than canned goods, some clothing items, a donation to charity, or if possible, maybe help at a soup kitchen or shelter... but every little offering DOES help a bit.

The very same for our best animal friends.

Donate an old clean blanket ...or pick up a new one when you shop next... give some toys, some pet food, dome spare dollars if you are able, volunteer at an animal shelter. Spread the word about animals in need!


WE are their advocates. WE are their protectors.


PLEASE, in this season of giving that we call November and December....PLEASE, remember those in need!
Thank You.


Painting "SLEEP OF THE INNOCENT" (detail)
Image copyrighted to Carol Chretien 2004.
Visit my website http://carolchretien.com and the ART HELPING ANIMALS site http://arthelpinganimals.com for ways you can help animals through art.

Happy HOWL-O-WEEN

Tis the season when little gobblins and ghouls will be trick or treating...keep pets safe and out of the Halloween Candy!


It is nice that kids want to share but please remind them it is harmful to feed CHOCOLATE TO DOGS!

Keep it fun and Keep it safe for all.

Image copyrighted to CAROL CHRETIEN 2006. "Spotted in the Pumpkin Patch"

This painting was recently purchased to help SAVE THE DALMATIANS rescue.
The model for this piece is my own Lizzie...Dalmatian art model and ambassador to help Dals through Save the Dals of So. CA rescue find their forever home.
This painting is also reproduced in the ART HELPING ANIMALS CALENDAR (available for sale to help the charities as we speak! visit www.arthelpinganimals.com for info on how to purchase.)

Autumn

In New England we are blessed with some days of bright skies and cool air with bursts of color that fill you with energy and enthusiasm.
This painting is a "high noon" moment of one of those Fall days...just a peaceful sunny spot.
Being New England it means that you have to appreciate the moment as you find it...tomorrow we could be all wet...or all white! GRIN
Image copyrighted to Carol Chretien 2005

Hello, again!

It has been an interesting time the last few weeks...A pain in the right side of my abdomen raised it's ugly head and turned into GALLBLADDER SURGERY!

NOT a real surprise for me as I have lived with minor attacks of this over the years but my time avoiding faceing the music ran out!


So here I am recuperating and behind in all my activities. I hope to get back to the easel and get some work done but it is not just a matter of physically painting ... you have to get your brain and heart wrapped around the work, too. That is my new challenge, to regain the lost momentum.


One thing that helps make it easier to do this is to remember WHY the passion is there in the first place.

Helping Homeless Animals is my passion and while it is wonderful that there are so many fabulous faces to paint, to draw attention to their needs...the other hand holds the fact that I wish there wasn't a NEED to do this!

Paradox! But there you have it...so this is the new face of NEED shown here today...to hopefully draw some attention for PUPS & PALS rescue ...please look at this face of GINA...who is waiting to find a home of her own.


and then contact Pups and Pals ...also visit...http://art4animals.blogspot.com/
and see all the art and charities that might capture your heart & help homeless animals!


In the meantime...I heal on the inside and find my way back to work on the outside and it all comes together just as it was meant to be!
PEACE & CHEERS!
Carol
Image Copyright 2006 "Gina...waiting for a home"

New Stuff

Just a quick post in case there really are people out there that actually read one of the million blogs that exist in cyberspace everyday...Hello? Hello? Is there anybody out there?


HA HA HA!
Anyway...

Here are a couple of things I am working on for animal charities...still on the easel as you can see. A good beginning of Doxie's and a snoozing Boxer.
Images copyrighted to ME...the artist.
Check out my website and also take a look at Art Helping Animals where really good work DOES help one animal at a time.

To quote artist Stella Violano...Life is Good! Creating art and using it to help? It really does not get better than that!
questions or comments ....just email anytime.
Hello? *wink*

AUTUMN IN THE AIR

I love Fall.
I am a New Englander through and though and Autumn is my season. Hopefully we will have that snappy-aired, crystal blue-skyed, scarlet color-leafed, baskets of apple-crunching & pumpkin-picking, bright sunny days that make having gone through this last season of rain and humidity up here in the North East, bearable.
But you have to always realize the old saying is true..."IF you don't like New England weather...wait a minute, it will change."
To celebrate the upcoming of Autumn, today's images are fall themed. I can't wait! Images are copyrighted to Carol Chretien.
Top image of oil painting "Spotted in the Pumpkin Patch" available for animal charity, "Autumn" private collection and "Pumpkin Time" collection the artist.