Some of you may recall that, late last fall, my own Rescue Creature -- a big, pretty horse who came out of the hormone drug industry -- ran into trouble and racked up massive vet bills. Calendar sales helped a lot, covering more than 60% of it, yet I still owe the vet $1700 I've been unable to pay.

"Vet bills! Yuck!" says Twilight the Wonder Mare.

I've chosen to paint my way out of this corner! I'm offering:

10 x 10"* Original portraits in oil, on a heavy "gallery wrapped" canvas (see photos below)

ANY breed or species so long as your critter is a rescue of some kind. Stray cat, pound puppy, Craigslist emergency -- it all counts. Rabbits! Guinea pigs! Birds! Dogs and cats! Horses! Mules! Come one, come all.

ONLY 12 AVAILABLE

$250 each, a very good value for custom oil portraits. 

Some examples of oil portraits in this size range. You'll get to choose your style -- more whimsical as in The Big Meowski and Fluffston the Bunny, or the bold, loose, painterly style of the horses (Darla, top, and Leo) shown here. For more examples of my animal portrait work, you can see the animal portrait gallery here on my website.

Front and back view of the sturdy 1.5" deep gallery-wrapped canvases for this series. The thick stretchers give these a nice physical presence on the wall, and a pleasing weight. I paint the edges, so framing is optional; your portrait will arrive with a hanging wire in place on the back, ready to go on the wall.

Here's how to get one:

Send me photos of your animal and tell me their story; the story part is going to be important!

Together, we'll choose which photo/pose to use and finalize the design.

Go here and use the "purchase" button (scroll down to the bottom of the listing) to put down your 50% deposit and reserve your portrait. Or mail me a check, and let me know it's on its way. The deposit allows me to cover living expenses while I complete this series.

Upon completion and approval of the art, send me a check for the second 50%, made out to Stillwater Equine Clinic. Those funds are going directly to my vet, NOT to me.

I am booking portraits immediately, and will begin painting on October 1, 2016, finishing on approximately December 1. The timing makes this a great holiday gift option! I ship USPS Priority Mail, with tracking and insurance, for $20.

These portraits, and the stories that go with them, will be used for a series of greeting cards and a 2017 wall calendar.

Happy Incoming Holidays to all of you!

*Some portraits may need to vary in format; if it really calls for a 9 x 12 or 8 x 10 canvas instead of a square, I will be flexible.