Animal Artists who give back… MEET DANA FEAGIN – again!

A while back, I wrote about Dana Feagin who used to be corporate and then one day she picked up a paintbrush… and never looked back!

love that face!

I happened upon Dana Feagin because her artwork was all over a fabulous animal sanctuary called SANCTUARY ONE that we visited. When I inquired as to the why and the who of the characterized animal wall art, they told me that Dana Feagin was the artist and that she not only offered her time creating work that the Sanctuary can sell – but she also volunteered!

They went on to say that Dana’s help is a triple whammy of aid. First, she paints Sanctuary animals that can be sold which adds money to the coffers – the Sanctuary is also able to use the art in their advertising (bonus!) AND Dana walks dogs and cleans cages on the weekends!

Nice.

So, since I love it when artists give back for the animals, I decided to show you her new works and her COMMISSION works today.

Sanctuary One advertising using Dana's portraits!

GUILT FREE COMMISSIONS! (no affiliation)

Some of you feel badly commissioning work of your own animals when so many are suffering… Well, one way to satisfy both of your needs (wanting a painting of your pet and also wanting to help homeless animals) is to find an artist you admire who also gives back.

For example, if you commission a piece from Dana of your own dog, she still donates at least 10% of all sales/commissions. So, win-win! Guilt-free spending!

Chance, a former Sanctuary One horse

I ASKED DANA…

I emailed Dana and asked her if she always saw animals as personalities…

Here is her reply:

It’s interesting that you ask about seeing animals as personalities as I have never quite thought of it that way, but yes! I am always looking for ways to show each animal’s unique personality, and I love finding silly photos where they are doing something really funny – things that make me (and hopefully other people) smile. And, when doing commissions, it’s so important to capture that special thing about each animal – the part that makes them different than any other animal – so I challenge myself to do that. I want each painting to really feel like that particular animal when someone looks at it. The most recent painting I am working on is “Cream”, a Sanctuary One cow – she is sticking her tongue out a bit in the photo – although I am making it stick out even more – and I am adding a bright background and polka dots – since she is all white, I wanted her to look really amazing and fun – and she needed something more than just a plain background since she is all white. Cream is a retired blood donor cow for a veterinary school…. I also am inspired by these rescue animal’s stories. Many of them have been through so much, and it just amazes me how they rebound with proper care and love – they are so forgiving! What I know about each animal is included on the backs of all of my paintings and greeting cards. A bit more about me in case you need it – I have 4 dogs, all from the shelter. (I was up to 5 last year, but my oldest passed away last summer). We now have a Pit Bull, Brussels Griffon, Shih Tzu and Border Collie (he was our foster dog and he adopted us – doing everything he could to deter potential adopters). It amazes me how many wonderful dogs and cats end up at the shelter – even purebred dogs and cats! I spent every weekday morning walking my dogs (not all together as they are NOT well behaved as a big pack) and then try to devote my afternoons art. My husband and I volunteer at the shelter as dog walkers on Saturdays. We try to get as many dogs out as we can before the shelter opens, so they are calmer when the public arrives to see them. I also volunteer with Sanctuary One, helping with fundraising events. They are now using my paintings in their advertising (also attached – they are actually 4 separate ads, but linked together in one image). I am also a member of the Canine Art Guild, Ashland Gallery Association, and am on the Exhibiting Committee at the Ashland Art Center, where I also show my work and have a studio space (where you found my work!). I am now painting some there as well as at my home studio. Ten percent of my sales are donated to Sanctuary One, or to Friends of the Animal Shelter depending on the piece.

MORE!

"Lulu" - Lulu is a Yorkshire Pig who was rescued by Pigs Peace Sanctuary. She is now a permanent resident at Sanctuary One, where she is an education ambassador, along with her “big sister” Lisa.

From Dana: ""You Looking at Me?" - A portrait of Theo, General Business Manager for Ashland Creek Press. In Theo’s world, it is always all about him - he even has his own Facebook page to document his activities."

" I included another photo of Theo looking at a print of the painting, which was posted on his FB page."

From Dana: "Aye Chihuahua! - A Mini Pincher/Chihuahua mix available for adoption (along with his son, Junior) at Sanctuary One. I painted him in a sombrero, celebrating Cinco de Mayo as part of the decorations for the annual Sanctuary One fundraiser this year. Sparky is missing some teeth, so his tongue always hangs out a bit like in this painting."

""Yogi" - This painting was a commission - Yogi is a Basset/Lhasa Apso mix - both he and his sister, who I also painted, are quite cute with their crooked teeth."

ETSY STORE!

I bought several cards from Dana… I just love to send animal cards. People cannot be unhappy when they get an animal card… Here is the link to her Etsy Store.