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Artists To The Rescue
WestieMed would like to acknowledge and thank the artists who have generously
and graciously donated their designs in support of WestieMed's mission of
helping rescued Westies. Through the contributions of these talented artists,
WestieMed has raised much-needed funds to help Westies
in need of medical attention find their way to their forever homes.
Their designs have been featured in a variety of WestieMed's fundraising
endeavors, including the "Paws and Remember" Virtual Candle program.
Artwork from these artists also can be found in our online Gift Shop on items of
clothing apparel, note cards, holiday cards and garden flags, as well as
featured in our eBay Auctions and Raffles and on Cafe Press products.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to these exceptional
artists for their support of WestieMed and their dedication to this magnificent
breed.
 Kirsten
Fox
I was born and raised in
Denmark and lived there till I married in 1965 and then came to England to live.
I lived in London for a few years and then eventually we moved to Kent. We had
no dogs, they came later. I met my first Westie “Sporran” when he peed up my
husband's leg. He gave John a look of disdain when he walked away, I will never
forget it. I decided that a little dog with that attitude would just suit me.
After a 2 year wait we finally got our first Westie. We have now had Westies for
26 years I groom, show and handle them myself. At the moment I am owned by 9
Westies ranging from 16 1/2 right down to the newest member who is only 1 year
old.
I worked at my local further
education college as a Technician for 28 years and finally decided to leave work
and spend more time at home with the dogs.
Drawing is one of my many
hobbies that really started as a dare. Our Westie Club wanted to produce a
calendar with drawings of Westies done by members and I was told to produce a
drawing as they felt I would be able to do something as I did most other things,
so after a lot of trial and error I managed to make a drawing, the following
year the same thing happened and by that time I quite enjoyed drawing so I just
kept going. Please visit
www.hillsted-westies.co.uk.
 Carol
Sanger
Carol
Sanger is a regional Westie Rescue representative for the Westie Club of
America, covering southwestern Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. She is also a member
of the WestieMed Board of Directors.
The
inspiration for Carol's painting was her first Westie, a sweet, gentle soul
named Kippy.
Kippy, who died in 2003 at the age of 16, was a pet store offering who had been
marked down for a quick sale after the holidays in 1988. Unknowingly, that
little 4-month-old puppy was Carol's first rescued Westie, but definitely not
her last!
Through Kippy, Carol came to know and love this special breed. It was Kippy who
led her to become more involved with other Westie lovers, eventually joining
WestieMed and the West Highland White Terrier Club of Indiana, where she
volunteered to help with Westie Rescue efforts.
Ultimately, her desire to combine a love for Westies with a love for painting
pet portraits led to the creation of her two websites --
www.westiewares.com and
www.paintedpetsonline.com. Every
hand-painted item sold through these sites benefits Westie rescue and
spay/neuter programs aimed at reducing pet over-population.
“It’s a
meaningful way that I can contribute,” Sanger says. “By helping to fund these
efforts and supporting WestieMed, I
hope we can come closer to our goal of ensuring that every Westie and Westie
wanabee finds his or her forever home, where they in turn will find the kind of
love they give so freely.”
 Suzanne Renaud
Suzanne is a self-taught artist who began
drawing the world around her before school age. With a Boston Terrier by her
side, equipped with a single lead pencil and scrap paper, she sketched people,
houses, animals and whatever influenced her life at the time.
It was only much later in life, she began to
paint in oils, watercolors and pastels. She had the privilege of working with
study groups who experimented with various mediums as well as genre until she
decided acrylics complemented her style. Her love for animals was an easy
choice of subjects to study and become the highlight of her work for the past
eight years.
Suzanne created and
published her first greeting card in April of 2001. The American Veterinary
Medical Association honored Renaud's work by selecting "Winterscape" on
the cover of the December 2003 edition of the Journal and "Patio Jewel"
for their July 2007 edition.
"If my work has created a
stronger bond between people and animals, if it brings the slightest smile to
your face, I consider myself a successful artist." Please visit Suzanne's
Precious Pet Paintings website at
www.suzannerenaud.com.
Susan Sipes
 I have been a Westie girl
since the age of two when my parents surprised my sister and I with a wonderful
Westie named Scooter. I hung my first painting in his house!
Westies have been an
inspiration in my art and many pieces were created with a Westie sitting at my
side.
I am honored to be a part
of WestieMed and thank all who have been so supportive and kind.
My artwork is in
collections in all 50 States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, Sweden, and
Great Britain. Painting with a variety of mediums, and creating various forms of
art, have truly been a blessing in my life.
Please visit Susan's
website at: www.susansipes.com/
 Ann
Kallal
Ann
Kallal is a self-taught artist. "I have always had a flair for artistic
creation. 2002 found me retired to Florida with my Westie waiting for
me at the Rainbow Bridge.
On a whim, I decided to paint her portrait as a decoration for
my new home office. My 'Maggie' turned out very well and, I, at the age of
60, embarked on a new hobby: painting Dog Portraits.
My Westie is the inspiration for many
paintings and she lives on as the name of my Internet shop where my images are
featured on clothing, household and office items. I am delighted when my
customers send me their favorite photos of a family pet to paint and customize
into a design. My Dog Paintings Portfolio now numbers close to 80 different
breeds and learning about the variety of dogs as I paint has been a fascinating
journey. Please visit:
www.MaggieRossDogs.com
Thank
you for the opportunity to give back. I appreciate so much what WestieMed
does for our little darlings."
Anne
Huddleston I am a resident of
Cincinnati, Ohio and a self proclaimed artist from the age of six. I always knew
I would be an artist and have happily spent my life and working career in the
industry. Currently I am an illustrator, graphic designer, product designer and
Art Director. Most of my career has been spent in the gift industry creating
items for the mass market and some high end chains.
My first Westie, Toby,
entered my life in 1990 and changed it forever! We became inseparable and but
inevitably parted ways after 15.5 wonderful years. Shortly before his death I
had already added a second Westie, Tyler, to the mix. Losing Toby and wanting to
get Tyler another companion raised my awareness to the world of so many homeless
dogs on Petfinder! Thus began my rescue/fostering journey in 2006. Five Westies
and numerous mixed breeds later I continue to foster (and foster fail!) and help
dogs know they are loved and help give them the life they deserve (especially
puppy mill rescues).
Our family consists of
myself, Tyler 9, Nikko 9 (puppy mill foster fail) and Misty 5 (foster fail puppy
mill rescue). I have currently created a line of Westie yard art and
illustrations applied to various items. I am also an animal communicator and
work helping others connect with their animals living and passed over.
WestieMed came to our assistance with my latest rescue, Misty. She is now happy
and healthy and a permanent part of the family (another foster fail!) and we
wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you for all the wonderful good works your
organization does!
Lara
Harris
 I am
a primarily self-taught artist from Michigan. After teaching 3rd grade for 6
years, I married an Aussie and moved to live first in Cairns and then Sydney for
over a year. It was at this time that I was able to start pursuing my art
full-time. I actually never thought I could paint, but 3 years ago picked up a
brush and have been painting ever since! I paint mainly in oils, but have done
some work in colored pencil, pen & ink, and pastel. My favorite subjects include
dogs, wildlife, people, and objects from everyday life. Although I do believe
some of my ability comes from my mother who is also an artist, I believe it is a
true gift from God.
My
work is in private collections throughout the United States, Canada, the UK,
Australia, and New Zealand. My work was recently mentioned in Flea Market Style
Magazine (Summer 2010).
To
view more of my work visit my website at:
www.studiolara.com
And
my blog:
www.paintingapupaday.blogspot.com
WestieMed would also like to express its gratitude for the artistic
contributions of:
Ann Priddy
Dawn Barnes
Diane Orange
Barbara Scotten
If other artists would like to share a little of their
time and talent to aid the Westies of WestieMed, please
contact us. We would love to work
with you!
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