There are many talented pet photographers out there, but what charmed me about this one is that a portion of your payment will go to the rescue organization of your choice.
A couple of Los Angeles-based female photographers simply wanted to merge their talents and knowledge of photography with their love for animals and pets. And from the looks of their images and happy customers, everyone wins.
For every package (except The Basics package) that is booked, a portion of the package price will go directly to the rescue organization of your choice. Fleabag Photography will make the donation under YOUR name and will give you a copy of the receipt/proof of donation.
You can even feel free to call the rescue to confirm your donation has been received. Donation amounts are based on the package chosen, ranging from $50 - $100, and is completely tax-deductible.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Craig Tracy, shown working above, first started body painting in 2002 and opened his Louisiana gallery, Painted Alive Bodypainting, in early 2006.
Using a traditional paintbrush, an airbrush, sponges and finger-painting, Tracy's body paintings each take approximately one full day to complete. He uses a different model's body (and in some cases, multiple models) for each image.
above: " Toes" by Craig Tracy
His work has been used in several ads and other commercial applications. Being from New Orleans, it's not surprising that he has many jazz related images, but my favorites, without a doubt, are his nature and animal works.
above: "Elements" by Craig Tracy
The images of his work in this post are actual photos of body art in which Photoshop was NOT used.
Eminence (Lion): the process:
Tiger (on breast): the process:
Twee Fwog (his title, not mine): The process:
Shelter (Elephant): the process:
"O": before and during:
South Side: the process:
Koi: the process:
Inferno:
Inclement:
His stunning illusory image of a tiger was created with three models to increase awareness and benefit a cause that is near to the heart of the artist:
Tigers have always been his favorite animal and when asked to aid in the effort to protect, repopulate and re-wild this the most endangered tiger in the world, Craig immediately said yes. "Only 100 South China Tigers are reported to remain alive and if my body painting can help increase that number by one then I'll have lived with purpose." states the artist.
The photographs included in the auction are a wonderful selection of everything from animal portraits and action shots to celebrity photos and more by well-known and well-respected artists. You can view all the participating photographers list here.
Below are a few of the photos that will be up for auction, in no particular order:
Alen Mac Weeney: Carl Fischer: Deborah Turbeville: Firooz Zahedi: Gosta Peterson: Nick Brandt: Raymond Meier: Richard Phibbs: Slim Aarons: Andrew Zuckerman: Steven Sebring: Sylvia Plachy: William Wegman:
You can preview the rest of photographs which will be available for auction here. You can register here and begin bidding in advance. For auction bidding guidelines, go here.
Auction info: On Tuesday, April 27, 2010 the Society will host its Third Benefit Photography Auction at the DVF Studio, 440 West 14th Street , NYC. The event, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, will include live and silent auctions of the photographs, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Honorary Chairs are Grace Coddington, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Adrien Brody. Cornelia Guest is the Chairman and we are pleased to announce that Jamie Niven, Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s will preside over the live auction.
The evening will honor Martha Swope, legendary photographer of dance, theater & music.
100% of proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of New York's veterinary clinic and Vladimir Horowitz & Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center. For ticket information please call Sandra DeFeo at (212) 752-4842.
Humane Society of New York Mission Statement: Since its founding in 1904, the Humane Society of New York has been a presence in New York City, caring for animals in need when illness, injury or homelessness strikes. Today our hospital and our Vladimir Horowitz and Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center help more than 30,000 dogs and cats annually, and their numbers continue to grow. The Society has long been noted for its innovative, highly individualized approach to animal care; its pioneer attitude is now reflected in programs coming to the fore nationwide. On any given day the Society is responsible for hundreds of animals with diverse needs. For many, the Society is the only place they will find help.
Amberlee Rosolowich, a recent graduate from San Francisco's Academy Of Art University, is having her first solo show at the Hespe Gallery this month.
Her oil paintings combine children and animals in intimate moments of play and leisure. With an illustrative and narrative quality, her works are simultaneously comforting and intriguing. Despite the childlike subject matter, Roslowich exhibits a more sophisticated and mature painting style. Aesthetically pleasing and emotionally accessible to both children and adults, the pieces will undoubtedly appeal to many.
in the artist's own words:
"My body of work has come from the darker side of a childhood; flipped into peculiar and fun times with the imaginary protection of an animal around. Fearful moments made brighter where Animals share an understanding of mindfulness, care, and secrets. These paintings of child moments are mixed and matched along with current ongoing stories, playfully using Animals to express emotions often hidden by humans.
Holding On:
As a child with a marine biologist studying mother, employed as a zookeeper, most often visiting was "weekends at work". I became fascinated early on as a constant observer of animal behavior, pockets full of doodles of zoo things, and playfully imagining these animals as my chit chat friends. With childish imagination, I spent much of my younger years pretending these animals would protect me in darker moments and could understand parts of my mind and heart. As a painter I have placed these moments into a lighter version of silly and playful quiet paintings.
Big Things, Little Packages:
With constant efforts to rescue, save, and have people be more aware how the human population mistreats abuses and overall undermines animals habitats and basic feelings. Haneously (sic) degrades them from things like shark fin soup massacres, to dog meat in Vietnam, rhinos who die for merely their horns, to tiger rugs in china, animals lose their freedom, suffer in immense unnecessary pain and die for criminal monetary gain every minute."
Kruger Comforts: In House Hurricane: By Your Side: detail: Roar: detail: Bundaberg: Jump (left) and Quiet Chatterbox (right): Get Your Armor On: detail: Team Fluff: Lunch Box Walk: Day Care: First Steps: Sailboat Ease:
Hespe Gallery is showing “Comfort and Play”, an exhibition of oil paintings by Amberlee Rosolowich, from March 4th, 2010 through March 30, 2010
The following text is from Hespe gallery: Amberlee Rosolowich hopes to bring an air of lightheartedness to her works, which explore the relationships that she herself had with animals as a child. Her paintings depict animals that one would see in an enclosure at the zoo alongside small children, who seem both fascinated and unbothered by the creatures’ presence.
The animals appear to have a guardian-like relationship with the children, watching over them so that each child is free to play without worry. This relationship can be clearly seen in a work such as “Kruger Comforts,” which portrays a rhinoceros standing guard over a young boy who is reading on the ground. The sheer mass of the rhino provides the boy with safety and refuge, yet the rhino appears to be dozing or daydreaming, acting as both a safeguard and a fantasy for the boy. Pieces like this reflect Rosolowich’s own childhood desires and memories, but also enable the viewer to tap into his or her own imagination and enjoy the whimsy of the work.
Rosolowich’s visible skill and technique also end up becoming equally important characters in her work. Her light, quick brushstrokes give both the figures and the space around them so much movement while still producing a sense of calm; her tactful use of negative space provides the viewer with an instant entry into a world where danger cannot enter and innocence is ever-present; and her carefully-placed splashes of color add to the overall playful feeling she generates with these pieces.
Although her works are inspired by a turbulent childhood, Rosolowich succeeds in creating a space where one can forget the perils of the outside world and return back to a time of youthful eagerness and curiosity. Amberlee Rosolowich received her BFA in Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2009. She has been featured in S.F. Weekly and California Home and Design. This is her first solo exhibition.
Some of the shown pieces are already sold. To inquire about any of these pieces please contact:
251 Post Street, Suite 420 San Francisco, CA 415.776.5918 or info@hespe.com. all images and info courtesy of both Hespe gallery and the artist.
