HOUND PUP II on GREEN - COMMISSION

Another commission - This pup will go home with the one that I posted a few days ago...

PUP II - 10 x 10 Oil on Canvas

Commission

Side View

WHITE LION CUBS

Here is the painting of the Lion Cubs that I have been working on. I had some fun with rock that they are sitting on - I used modeling paste to create some texture and then applied a light layer of acrylics for color - Everything else is painted in Oils.

"LOVE you BROTHER" - 24 x 30 x 1.5

Available

Detail

Rock Detail

RED FIRE TEXTURED ACRYLIC ABSTRACT

I am currently working on two oil paintings - A large painting of two lion cubs and also another dog commission... I did this one in the morning to limber-up and get my MOJO flowing! Sometimes, my MOJO needs to be summoned from the depths of it's slumber..Today was one of those days...

FLAMES - 8 x 24 x 1.5

Textured Acrylic on Canvas

Available

Close up of the heavily textured flames.

DOG ABSTRACT RED COLLAR with HART PENDANT

It's is interesting how everybody likes something different. My husband is not big on these - he prefers more detail. But I have always been an Abstract girl at heart...These are fun and colorful and a blast to create!

HEART - 16 x20 x 1.5 Acrylic on Canvas

Available

HOUND PUP on GREEN - COMMISSION

PUP - 10 x 10 x 1.5 Oil on Canvas

Commission

Not the best of photos, but it shows the painted side of this deep canvas.

CAT ABSTRACT RED COLLAR with BELL

4 weeks after getting the flu, I am still experiencing issues with my lungs and painting with oils seems to aggravate the situation (just a little)... So to loosen up a little and have some fun I decided to try out some new Flow Acrylics from Matisse.They have some really yummy colors!...

RED BELL - 16x20x1.5 Acrylic on Canvas

Available on my Etsy Site

This is a previous "abstract" failure that I wiped down and then used a pastel pencil to give me a rough layout for the kitty. After finishing the big tuxedo cat, I was still in the black and white state of frame - thus the color choices for this one!

2011 TUXEDO CAT BALL Donation - Cat in Bushes

WANTING to BELONG

30 x 40 Oil on Stretched Canvas

Donation to Safe Haven for Cats

Will be up for Auction at the 2011 Tuxedo Cat Ball on April 29th

TUXEDO CAT BALL Donation in the Making

There is still a bunch of work left on this one, but I wanted to give all interested parties a preview of one of the paintings that will be auctioned of at the Seventh Annual Tuxedo Cat Ball - A spectacular fundraiser to benefit the cats in the care of Safe Haven for Cats. The funds raised at the April 29th event will be used in 2011 to rescue and adopt more than 500 cats and kittens and to assist the community by providing spay and neuter services to more than 1500 cats!

To read about Safe Haven for Cats and the TCB fundraiser click HERE

Still to be named - 30"x 40" Oil on Canvas

Donation to Safe Haven for Cats

If you have a cool name for this one - I welcome all suggestions! I was thinking something like : "Party Crasher" ..."Wanting to Belong"...etc...

Sorry for the horrible photo - This was taken at night under really bad light...

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - Savannah Jane 57/100

SAVANNAH JANE - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Savannah Jane

Owner writes: "Savannah Jane and her siblings were discovered living in a tree stump in the woods by a friend of ours. Safe Haven for Cats was gracious enough to take them all in, and we adopted Savannah Jane. I guess we thought that one Torti was not enough. We are HUGE Jimmy Buffett fans, and Savannah is named after his daughter. Savannah is very much a loner as far as the other cats in our household go, but LIVES for couch time every night with her Daddy. "

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - TAZ 56/100

TAZ - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Taz

The owner writes:

"Taz is a Momma's girl who came to us on Mother's Day morning 14 years ago. We heard a cat crying, opened our front door and Taz ran UP my pant's leg. She was only about 3 weeks old and just about starved to death. We have no idea where she came from, but my Mom insists that kitty angels directed her to our house! She was our first Torti and has taught us a lot about "Tortitudes." She is our sweetest and most loving kitty who sleeps with us every single night curled up in my arms like a baby! "

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - KELSO 55/100

KELSO - 8x8 Oil on Panel
Kelso

Kelso's owner writes:

"I had always wanted a Tuxedo kitty, but nothing prepared me for Kelso! Splash, our beloved Siamese, had just passed away from Cancer, and I was at my vet's office finalizing some paperwork. Dr. Green, our wonderful vet and great friend, mentioned that 4 tiny kittens had been abandoned in their parking lot that weekend and were being bottle fed by the staff there. She mentioned that one was a male Tuxedo, and he was very fiesty and active even at two weeks of age. I was still so upset from loosing Splash that Dr. Green felt like I needed cheering up, so she showed me the kittens. It was love at first sight with this silly little boy, and we named him after my crazy and fun Uncle Kelso. He is still a busy boy to this day and keeps the rest of our kitties on their toes! "

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - MAURICE 54/100

MAURICE - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Maurice

His owner writes:

"Last July on the hottest day of the year, we attended a gallery opening for a friend of ours in Durham. We came out to our car and saw this gorgeous Ragdoll mix big kitty under the car next to us. His fur looked horrible, and he was VERY hungry. I gave him a can of food which he inhaled and then another one. This gallery was in a not so nice part of Durham with rundown homes all around. We decided that we could not leave this beautiful boy there to starve to death. I agreed to call some pet sitting clients of mine and find him a forever home. Long story short, after two days at our house, we knew Maurice had found his forever home with us. He is a great playmate for Kelso and a loving brother to his older sisters. He is a huge love bunny who cannot get enough hugs and kisses from us. "

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - MINI MOO 53/100

MINI MOO - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Mini Moo

This is one VERY LUCKY kitty - Read her story below...

Owner Writes: "

Mini Moo was born into one of my feral colonies, the last litter before we were able to finally trap and spay her Mom. She was smaller than all of the other kitties, and they picked on her and would not allow her to eat. We just HAD to get her out of there, so in November we gave her a forever home at our house. Christmas night Mini Moo had a stroke and just about died. She was at the Vet School in Intensive Care for ELEVEN whole days! We could have bought a really NICE used car for what we spent on Mini's vet bills, and she is worth every penny. Although, she lost the use of one of her front paws, she scoots around all over our house and lives a wonderful life. "

VALENTINE'S DAY TEDDY BEAR with HEART

Here is my "Bo Bear" modeling for this valentine's day painting. I am a teddy bear junkie ! You will be seeing this bear in the future paintings...

WILD ABOUT YOU - 6x8 Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

Click HERE to bid

Shown in a frame - Cute...Cute...

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - MISS KITTY 52/100

MISS KITTY - 8x8 Oil on Panel

SOLD

Miss Kitty

In owner's own words: "My husband and I decided to visit our local animal control facility in July 2000 because we were newlyweds with the typical empty nest syndrome. I had always been a dog person while my husband was the cat person in the family. He very much missed his two feline companions who had moved to California with his former housemate prior to our meeting. I felt sorry for him and suggested that we visit the shelter and see who was available for adoption. Secretly, I hoped we would find a dog but that was not to be. Instead of taking a right into the dog adoption area, our fate was set, when we turned left into the cat shelter.

We moved from cage to cage talking to the cats and kittens. One particularly vocal young male caught our attention so we stopped to visit with him. While standing there, my husband felt a tug on his pants leg. He looked down and there was the soon-to-be Miss Kitty firmly holding his pant cuff in both front paws. She was a very talkative 16-week old kitten and insisted that we introduce ourselves. We were eventually to learn that Miss Kitty has an opinion on everything and isn't shy about sharing it. Still - there were so many wonderful cats and kittens available that we decided to visit them all before making a decision. Miss Kitty would have none of that. As we rose to walk away, she continued to reach for and grab my husband's pants while informing us that the decision had been made. Resistance, as they say, would be useless. Naively, we asked to be allowed to hold her. Little did we understand the power and force of those kitten rays. As my husband picked her up out of the cage - she rolled over on her back in his arms - mewed and chortled at him then fell soundly asleep while purring the whole time. He was a goner. She has been "his girl" since that moment. To Miss Kitty, I am but an accessory or interloper that must be dealt with (unless I have the treat bag, of course.) Secretly, we really love each other but that's just between us. She doesn't want Dad to know there might be anyone else in her life.

I could tell you so much more about her. She is a character and, without a doubt, the Grand Dame of the household. She is a Torti through and through with all the Torti characteristics and personality traits. We both dearly love her. She has converted me from a dog person to a certifiable crazy cat lady. A gift I can never repay. A gift that ultimately helped us both find our own call to rescue cats. I am sure you understand how much that means. "

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - ARTIE 51/100

ARTIE - 8x8 Oil on Canvas

SOLD

Artie

Artie is big boy who made an impact on all who worked with him at Safe Haven for Cats. He is a cat with an enormous presence and personality and has the voice to match that personality!

Unfortunately, Diabetes made his adoption prospects not too rosy... After many months at the shelter he was taken home by the shelter's Associate Director...THANK YOU, Sherri for making his life a happy one!

FACES of RESCUE PROJECT UPDATE

With the project hitting the mid mark, I am sure that all of you, who have already participated in the project or who are still considering to participate, would love to get an update on this project’s impact on the community.

Here are the figures from 2010:

In 2010, I have completed 44 paintings, out of which 38 went to their "forever homes". A total of $1425.00 was donated to 3 very deserving local rescues. The breakdown was as follows: Safe Haven for Cats received $675, Alley Cats and Angels received $600 and a late addition to the project, Paws4Ever, got a donation of $150.

The above 3 organizations have a tremendous impact on the animal welfare in our community. They not only rescue and adopt stray and unwanted cats and dogs, but all 3 also provide low cost sterilization options to both, personal pets as well as the often ignored feral cats.

BIG thank you to all who purchased the paintings and made this $1425 donation possible!!!


Now to 2011:

The Faces of Rescue project has resumed and will continue to support the above 3 groups. If you have a kitty and would be interested in having a portrait painted please shoot me a quick email to olga.t.wagner@gmail.com. Each 8x8 painting is $75.00 with 50% going to rescue!

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - PETIE 50/100

PETIE - 8x8 Oil on Panel

SOLD

Petie

His Owner writes:

"The Grey tux is my chubby cat Petie. He is a total scardy cat. I was kind of conned into adopting him (I am a sucker). I wanted to get my first "born", Kip a playmate, but it didn't work out as planned. His brother had been adopted and he was pushing 1 year old when I adopted him. He spent the first week under my bed. Now when fosters come to the house he totally acts like they are not there (love him but he isn't sharpest kitty!). It's quite possible he doesn't realise they are there !LOL "

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - EARL GREY 49/100

Here is another lucky kitty with a GREAT forever home!

EARL GREY - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Earl Grey

His owner writes:

"Earl Grey was love at first sight when I came across his photo on the SCRC website. He was found on the streets of Knoxville, TN before making it into the Rescue program. Thankfully Siamese Rescue has the Meezer Express program to help get cats from foster home to their forever homes as I live in Connecticut. But, for this guy I would have gone all the way to TN to get him. When we first adopted him he was somewhat aloof and he would bite if he got too excited during playtime. I'm happy to say that 2 1/2 years later, the biting habit is gone and he's turned into a little love bug. He's really blossomed once he knew we were going to love him for the rest of his life."

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - MONK 48/100

MONK - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Monk

Monk was the 2nd adoptee from Siamese Rescue Center. He was given up by his owner who had moved into housing that did not allow cats. He's definitely a mans cat and is best buds with the man of the house giving him frequent tongue baths. Although he came from a single cat home, he's become a great playmate for Earl Grey (his painting will be posted tomorrow) and the 2 can often be found playing chase all around the house.

WHITE FACED BULL on GREEN

Taking a jump from domestic to farm animals... Look at those lashes, most women would kill for lashes like that!

FULLA - 6x8 Oil on Raymar Panel

Available on my Etsy site

WOW - Frame really brings out the colors.

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - SIMON 47/100

SIMON - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Simon

Simon was in a shelter in CT and in danger of being put down. He's had several rounds of cancer treatments ( both before and since he was adopted). He is 150% love. His favorite spot is any open lap and he loves to give hugs in return for all the loving he gets. At night he usually curls up in his owner's arms and acts as the pillow. Simon is truly a soul mate kitty.

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - FOX 46/100

FOX - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Sold

His owner writes:

"This is Fox. He got his name from the TV show "X Files" and I'm not sure why. Fox was picked up crossing a highway in Rockingham, hungry, malnourished, and he wasn't much more than a ball of fur held together by fleas. Ruth and her sister found him in a ditch, fed him and gave him a bath. It was a pleasant day and I was enjoying a lounge chair, a cold beer and some Bob Marley Reggae music in the back yard of Ruth's mother's home in Rockingham. I dozed off, and when I woke up, there was this tiny kitten asleep on my chest!

We searched for signs of Fox's family for a few days, but came up empty. When it was time to go, he came with us, and here he has remained for more than a dozen years. Being a small town cat moving to a big city might explain why he has always had a quizzical look and demeanor, we're not sure, but we are sure that he is one big, beautiful feline and a special treasure.

Unfortunately, Fox didn't stay small and we didn't know how to not spoil him! He was our first cat in many years, and he seemed to like living in a home with food and all the amenities. Trouble was, he had no one to play with, so he decided to become an attack cat. If you ignored him, he would simply attach himself to your foot or jump you when you passed him in a doorway. This persistence netted him several playmates in a short time. He was also the reason Ruth became a volunteer at SafeHaven "

Fox is one lucky cat!!!

FACES of RESCUE 100 CATS - MAGGIE 45/100

MAGGIE - 8x8 Oil on Panel

Sold

Meet Maggie. She was part of a litter found in a Charlotte neighborhood by her current owner's sister, who took in the mama cat and the kittens and provided them a shelter in her garage. This one little kitten (Maggie) was the most curious/aggravating/rambunctious, and since her owner's sister kept the last kitten ( who had no mobility in her back legs), Maggie went to her new home in Raleigh!

Nothing has been the same since. Maggie doesn't realize she's a cat! She still gets into everything, dominates the older male cat, makes unusual noises like she's mourning, and she has been doing that every day for the past decade! She's extremely smart and predictable. Translated, that means you know exactly when she's had enough of anything and plans to create havoc in the next few moments!

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Maggie is one great cat. She can be loving, but don't rub her backside more that once or twice, and don't wiggle your feet under a blanket because she'll attack! Lastly, don't try to outsmart her because she knows all the tricks. Her one fear is a doorbell (which is so loud that it scares us all at times).