It is a gorgeous summer in Sonoma and Napa Valley, and as many are on vacation, I wanted to share with you that in my spare time, I paint portraits of dogs and cats who are temporarily living in animal shelters. When the pet is adopted, a professional print of the oil painting is given to the person who provides these four-footed friends of ours a new home. Also, gift cards are made of the paintings and the proceeds are donated back to the shelter for food, bedding & care of other rescue animals. The following are a few of the paintings:
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Buttercup-2019.jpeg)
Buttercup, adopted 2019, she had an outgoing personality and was petite & highly active. She would look directly in your eyes, just asking to be adopted.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Charley-2019.jpeg)
Charley, adopted 2018, this dog was a beautiful Grand Pyrenees mix who was found under an abandoned house.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Bella-painting-copy.jpg)
Bella is actually my own puppy, and she is helping shelter animals through the sales of gift cards.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Rigo-2017.jpeg)
Rigo, adopted 2018, was a small, friendly dog, with an especially expressive face.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Black-Dog-2017.jpeg)
This dog sat so proudly. He had been adopted and I painted him as a fundraiser for Pets Lifeline.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Pinky-Pie-2019.jpeg)
Pinky Pie, adopted 2019, this puppy was sweet and gentle, with a lovely personality, and is the sister to Buttercup.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Oliver-2018.jpeg)
Oliver, adopted 2018, he was found on the street and rather unsure of his surroundings.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/mariah-2.jpg)
Mariah, adopted 2018, she was a very small kitty with lots of personality and unusual markings, very friendly and loved visitors at the Pets Lifeline kennel.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/happy-2-scaled.jpg)
Happy, adopted 2019, he was this wonderful, slightly older dog, who was quite calm and grateful for warm companionship.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Jack-2019.jpeg)
Jack, adopted 2019, this puppy was quite shy. He had been abandoned, then found under a house with his two siblings. After some very special care from Pets Lifeline, he gained weight and became more comfortable with people.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Emily-2017.jpeg)
Emily, adopted 2017, she was a wonderful calico cat with large, kind eyes, although exceptionally shy. She had been at the shelter for awhile and would hide under a blanket or go to the far edge of the cat room so that nobody could see or pet her. Her adoption occurred soon after this painting was finished.
![](https://artofleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/jewel-2.jpg)
Jewel, adopted 2019, this kitty had a very gentle personality and sat with such a sense of place on her perch at Pets Lifeline in Sonoma.
These cards are now sold in five stores from Sonoma to Palo Alto. They are:
Wishing you a happy summer! Do check back soon….