My life has revolved around my two greatest interests, animals and art. In college, I studied Animal Behavior, Psychology,
Biology, and Art. My goal was to combine the two interests and work as an animal artist, but I was once told by my college
guidance counselor that no one would pay me to look at animals and create art. Having the impression that the job of the artist
was outdated, she thought the only paid opportunity out there for an animal artist would be illustrating medical journals,
something I was not interested in. However, I had already sold my first sculpture in high school and one of my art professors
said that my animal sculptures had an innocence that had been lost in much of today's art. I set my mind on finding an audience
interested in handmade animal art, and a job where I could get paid to look at animals and create art. I've found a way to
do just that, and reach a worldwide audience.
I had a few animal related jobs before finding a place to sell my art regularly and spent many summers doing volunteer
work, helping all types of animals from house pets to tigers. I even had my preventative rabies shots (to read more about
that
click here ).
Previous experience with live animals, particularly homeless pets at the animal shelter, played a part in my decision
to use my art as a way to help homeless animals and endangered wildlife.
By selling through my site and on eBay,the internet has enabled me to gain worldwide exposure as an
artist. My animal art can be found in Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the UK, and throughout
the United States. I take requests and happily ship worldwide, feel free to inquire with your request or
ask about a shipping quote.
Through experimentation with various materials, I devloped my own unique style. Materials incorporated into
each sculpture are carefully selected to capture the look & feel of each species and breed I sculpt.
I have sculpted with various materials including animal fibers (wool), plant fibers (bamboo), as well as synthetiques. As
needle felting is done with fibers or hairs only, and does not require the hide or skin of an animal, natural fibers
are obtained through harmless ways. It's even possible to use trimmings or shed hairs from pets for owners who would
like them incorporated into a likeness of their pet.
Instead of patterns or kits, I work from my own mind and photos of real animals. Inspiration often comes from
homeless pets in animal shelters in need of adoption, including dogs, cats, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, and
more. www.Petfinder.com is a great source of inspiration, with many species of unlimited animals available for adoption. Experience with real animals
has helped in creating lifelike poseable miniatures and realistic static sculptures, particularly my experience in dog grooming.
I often find myself styling and trimming the long fibers on my needle felted dogs just like real dogs, they just don't move
around as much. I'm willing to try sculpting any kind of animal and enjoy creating endangered species
and raising awareness about their native environment. My new goal is to educate the public about animal related issues including
puppy mills, animal shelter realities, how anyone can help endangered species, and rethinking how everyday purchases
affect the environment.
Unless attempting to create a specific pet, (as seen on my Custom critters, Request Pets page ) I tend to let materials bring their own life into the art, letting them give shape to the
sculpture instead of forcing them into a set idea. My needle felted art is usually poseable minis, jointed or wire
frame. I also I make semi-poseable and static ( non-poseable ) sculptures. Visit the Photo Key page to learn more about different types of pose-ability.
My art can be seen in the June 2008 issue of Teddy Bear Review magazine. http://www.teddybearreview.com/
My art can currently be seen in the August 2008 issue #170 of Dolls House and Miniature Scene Magazine.
http://www.dollshousemag.co.uk/main/default.asp
Current Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtfmoore5mee
Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers and be notified of future auctions.
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