“A Star is Born”, ©2015 Dana Feagin, Oil, 16 x 20, Available

“A Star is Born” is a portrait of Orville, a former Sanctuary One goat. Orville was one of the first animals I photographed from Sanctuary One. When I came across the photo below, I was surprised I hadn’t already painted him – just look at that pose! Orville arrived at the sanctuary through the Humane Society of the United States. He and his brother Wilbur were unable to move to Hawaii with their human family. Since the photo was taken, Orville and Wilbur were adopted together, by a new loving family. Orville lived a full life but has passed on. Wilbur is still around, looking dapper in his hand-made coat when the weather turns chilly.

Reference Photo Below ©Dana Feagin

August’s First Friday seems like a long time ago, now that “The Funny Farm” paintings have moved to a smaller space at Art & Soul Gallery, absent “Sugar Rush” and “I Smell Cupcakes”, paintings that went to new homes, and a couple paintings that are temporarily in my studio. However, the event drew in a nice animal art loving crowd, with wonderful music by Bread and Jam Jazz, and wine tasting courtesy of Platt Anderson Cellars. The Miyoko’s Kitchen vegan cashew cheeses were a huge hit, with all three flavors gone by 7:30, as were the vegan chocolate chip cookies.  I was secretly hoping there would be leftovers. Amelia Sorensen attended the first hour and a half of the opening reception as a roving photographer. Today, I made time to cull through them and pare them down to the collection below. Thank you Amelia!