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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Artists and animals, Most Recent at Top [Help]

Results 1 - 6 of 6

1. Artists and Animals: Gary Long, Town Crier, and Tori

By: Wendy Orr, on 5/12/2013
Blog: Wendy Orr's author journal (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: rescue dog, Artists and animals, town crier, Gary Long, SPCA dog, Add a tag

Once upon a time, two schoolmates used to go horse riding together through the hills and dales of Nova Scotia's beautiful Annapolis Valley. One grew up to become a writer, an unusual enough profession - and the other became a town crier! (I must also add that the last time they met, long before they'd turned to those eccentric careers, the town crier was the best man at the writer's wedding.)

Now, Gary Long, town crier for Berwick and Canning, Nova Scotia, Canada, answers my Artists and Animals questions:

Have you ever been inspired by an animal, or animals in general, in your life or art?

Animals have always inspired me to be a more compassionate, caring person. I tend to have more feelings for animals then humans sometimes.

What pets did you have as a child?

As a teen I owned horses and had dogs (many) cats, a donkey, goats, pigeons, ducks.

Do you have an animal companion now? How did it get its name? Does your pet have a story to share?

Recently we had a cat for 19 years. She was all black and I named her Panther. A very intelligent cat and would sleep under the covers, curled up beside me, but only with me, never my wife. We now have a 13 month old Border Collie X named Tori. We got her from the local SPCA shelter. She had been left by the side of the road and someone brought her in. She still looks at specific vehicles as they drive by on the street, and I think she is wondering if that is the people who abandoned her. The SPCA had named her Victoria, but that was to much .... so Tori she became.

What would your pet tell us about you? Tori would probably tell you that she is very happy in her home (and a little spoilt), is loved by me and accepted by Sara ;). This is the very first dog for Sara.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

A horse, of course!!

Any advice for people wanting a pet?

Do research before buying any pet. If you are buying a dog, go to a reputable breeder, consider your lifestyle and family situation - a pet, any size, shape form is a commitment and responsibility, just like a child.

Favourite animal books?

Does Nim's Island count? :)

Definitely! ((t's my blog, I can make the rules.)

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2. Artists and Animals: Wendy Orr and Harry

By: Wendy Orr, on 10/24/2012
Blog: Wendy Orr's author journal (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: animal stories, Wendy Orr, pet adoption, children and pets, Rainbow Street Pets, Artists and animals, Rainbow Street series, LOST A Dog Called Bear, ABANDONED A Lion Called Kiki, Add a tag

Wendy Orr with Harry, the day he arrived

Today I'm interviewing myself - because, believe it or not (!) I'm also rather fond of, and inspired by, animals.

Have you ever been inspired by an animal, or animals in general, in your life or art?

Bear, who inspired the first Rainbow Street story

I always find animals inspiring in their attitudes to life, disability and death. When I was a teenager in rural Nova Scotia, our cat BC (Barn Cat, though he changed it to Bedroom Cat) lost his leg in a porcupine trap.I can still feel the shock and horror of finding him in this hideous device – but once he'd recovered physically, he went on to a long and apparently happy life, never seeming to mind that he had only one front leg. And a few years ago, when my dachshund Max was dying of an aggressive stomach cancer, it was inspirational to watch his decisions on conserving his energy to do only the things he most loved.

With the lion cub who inspired A Lion Called Kiki

In my books, of course the most recent example is the Rainbow Street Animal Shelter Series (USA and Canada) or Rainbow Street Pets (Australia.) Most of the stories were inspired by animals I've known: LOST! A Dog Called Bear, ABANDONED! A Lion Called Kiki were based on real animals, STOLEN! A Pony Called Pebbles was based on finding a mysterious horse and pony in a makeshift corral when I was out riding in the foothills in Colorado. And all the animals, in all the stories, have been influenced or directly inspired by animals I've known.

In fact, nearly all my books have animals in them, whether they're a focus as in Ark in the Park, or a minor part like the light relief of the bouncy border collie Ben in Peeling the Onion.

Wendy Orr reading with Frieda

Did you have pets as a child? We had a dachshund named Frieda who had to stay
in Ottawa with my grandparents when we moved to France when I was three. She lived in on my dad's "Frieda's Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather stories" throughout my childhood. In France we had a beautiful big basset hound named James, who died tragically in quarantine when we returned to Canada. Another basset, Jill, arrived when I was seven, and was my constant companion until I left home. I also had a guinea pig named Susie Q, and later, as a student in London, a guinea pig named Henry. My mother fulfilled her lifelong ambition of owning a horse when we moved to Colorado when I was ten; Biddy taught us all to ride, and when we moved to Nova Scotia I also had my own horse, Tala. And of course, BC. Of course my sister and brother also had pets: at one point we had three dogs, three guinea pigs and five horses.

Wendy Orr and sister Kathy, with Jill the basset hound

Do you have an animal companion now? Harry came to us nearly 4 years ago, exactly a month after our 16 1/2 year old border collie Bear died. We hadn't wanted a dog yet, as we were leaving for a 5 week trip to Canada a couple of months later, but Harry had had a rough start to life. He'd been removed from his first home for terrible abuse. His next home had been loving but hadn't worked out because of the owner's illness. We'd met him and when we heard that he'd been returned to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital, I was devastated. We drove straight in and got him. We're constantly grateful that we did.

What would your pet tell us about you?

She needs to practise her ball throwing skills, and not spend so much time at the computer.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I'd love to say an eagle, a dolphin... but probably a bumbling labrador.

Any advice for people wanting a pet?

Remember they're for life. Make sure they suit your lifestyle. But once you work it out, do it, because they will bring you joy, companionship and love. We all need something to love, and someone who needs us.

Harry & his friend Pippa, who was adopted the same week

Favourite animal books?

So many... as a child, a Little Golden Book of Cleo the Basset; The Incredible Journey; The Yearling; My Friend Flicka; The Wild White Stallion; The Black Stallion

Two more recent ones that are stand-outs are Anthony Hill's The Shadow Dog, and Sharon Creech's Love that Dog. Both made me weep.

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3. Artists and Animals: Leonie Kervin and Remus, life drawing model

By: Wendy Orr, on 9/23/2012
Blog: Wendy Orr's author journal (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: animal portrait, Artists and animals, Leonie Kervin, life drawing artist, life drawing teacher, puppy screen print design, Add a tag

I first met Leonie Kervin when she was still a teenager and I was a young mother. Thanks to Facebook, we've reconnected and it's been a real thrill to see the amazing person, and artist, she's become. It's lovely to be able to interview her today:

As an artist, I dabble in many fields, but my main passions are painting, drawing and textiles. You can view some of my work here. http://leoniekervin.wix.com/designs, or read about my adventures here www.newsviewscluesandreviews.blogspot.com

As a life drawing teacher and facilitator, the human form is a focal point of my work. www.leonie-newportlifedrawing.blogspot.com

It is important to me to be able to draw from life. Whether it is just drawing for the sake of it, or working towards a larger project, inspiration usually comes from something that is part of my environment. Colour, texture, form, tone etc. are all tools to express what cannot be said.

Have you ever been inspired by an animal, or animals in general, in your life or art?

Animals are a huge source of inspiration. From as far back as I can remember, I have always loved and felt close to them. Particularly dogs, probably because they are brilliant at communicating without words.

Figure 1 A life drawing of my dog, Remus.

Figure 2 A commissioned portrait that I did last year.

Figure 3 Moira, the wine dog. My brother's Irish Wolfhound.

Did you have pets as a child? Or: what was the pet you most wanted as a child?

As a child I was surrounded by animals, and loved them all. We grew up on a farm.

My first pet was a fox terrier called Seiko. So named because as a puppy we couldn’t get him a collar small enough, so he wore a watch band. (Mum was brilliant and thinking up interesting and unusual pet names).

He was a very loveable rat-bag. Being a very shy kid, it was wonderful to have such a loyal and affectionate little buddy by my side at all times. He was the best therapy any kid could ask for.

Do you have an animal companion now? How did it get its name? Does your pet have a story to share?

Until last year we had a beautiful old feller called Remus. We rescued him from the Lost Dog’s Home in 2002, when he was about three years old. We think he was a border collie x kelpie x healer combination. He was smart, funny, affectionate, fiercely loyal and great company.

He used to love coming to life drawing. He would often sit with the model, probably because he could see that they were the centre of attention and he wanted some of it. Here he is sitting with my daughter, Lucy while the model was on a break. As you can see, he was great drawing material himself.

We miss him so much, but we have many happy memories and loads of lovely drawings of him.

What would your pet tell us about you?

That I am a complete sucker and should stay away from animal shelters J

Also that I am more interested in the outsider, the unusual. I enjoy quirky.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

Probably a cat. I admire their independent nature and love curling up for a nap by the heater.

Any advice for people wanting a pet?

Choose one to suit your lifestyle. Do the research first. Don’t get a dog if you are not home much or don’t have much space, or the time and patience to train them.

Be sure you are committed to looking after them for the term of their natural life.

Favourite animal books?

As a kid, I used to love reading Jack London books. I loved how he wrote from the animal’s point of view, and how they related to the world around them. I also loved how his lead animal was always torn between being wild and domestic life. He made me think about how animals perceive humans.

And I love reading James Herriot. His books are a wonderful snapshot of rural England mid 20^th Century. I love his humour, warmth and interesting stories about animals and their humans. The medical stuff is quite interesting too.

Puppy at Gate Screen Print Design

Sleeping Puppy Screen Print Design

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4. Artists and Animals: Prue Mason and Camel Rider

By: Wendy Orr, on 3/22/2012
Blog: Wendy Orr's author journal (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's books, camel rider, prue mason, Artists and animals, australian children's author, author and dog, Add a tag

One of the best things about doing this series of interviews is finding out more about the backgrounds to friends' books, and lives! I've met Prue Mason's current dogs, but it was fascinating to hear about her childhood pets, and of course the dog that inspired Camel Rider.

You can find out more about her on her website: www.pruemason.com

Prue says:

I’m very much in the party ofpeople who say ‘animals are people too’. In fact most people say if we doreincarnate they want to come back as one of my animals because it would be acruisy life.

My earliest memories have animalsin them. There was huge black cat, Bert who would sit on a person’s chest,knead his claws and dribble. There was no moving him off if he’d chosen you asthe one or he would get annoyed and he had verrry sharp claws. Then there werethe dogs. Living on a farm we had a pack of them. Not that any were actuallyworking dogs. This lot were more the sort that might have been found in thedays when the hunting dogs lived inside large, draughty halls with the lord ofthe manor and ate from food thrown from the table and then bedded down next tosome warm body at night. The only real work they were supposed to do was huntand be companions and maybe guard dogs. Ours were exactly like that. There wasBig Dog. As you probably guessed, he was named because he was a big dog, part greyhound and part horse I think. Pup was one of his brood that we kept and namedbefore he grew up into another large dog. Allez Oop was the ex fox huntingbeagle who led them on hunting expeditions. Besides these three we also had anAustralian terrier called Tim. He couldn’t keep up with the big dogs so theonly way he could go hunting was sitting up on the front of my pony, Midnight.

With animals so much part of mylife growing up, when I left home I wanted my own dog and cat but as I spentmost of my time travelling and then married a pilot and travelled a lot morearound Australia and the world it wasn’t possible. As soon as we settled downin the Middle East where we thought we would like to stay for a few years wedid get a black cat called Wali. He was part Siamese and loved to talk. He alsohad an interesting kink at the end of his tail. According to legends from Siamspecial cats have this feature because many, many years before a princessslipped her rings over the tail of the cat while she was bathing and the catkinked the end of his tail to keep them safe. This beautiful story sparked anidea for my own story and the consequences of that turned out to be my firstever rejection. All the same it pointed me towards the writing path that I’vebeen following since. That particular idea is still in my mind. Now with a fewmore skills who knows - maybe one day you’ll see a story out there about afabulous cat with a kink at the end of his tail.

At that time we also found our dog– our desert princess. Tara was part saluki and a part…well we were never quitesure but it was certainly something smart and beautiful, that is if you likelong noses, large, swivelling radar-like ears and skinny legs on top of a deepchest.

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5. Artists and Animals: Argyro Gavalas, Designer

By: Wendy Orr, on 3/7/2012
Blog: Wendy Orr's author journal (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Nim's Island premier, Artists and animals, dress designer, abandoned kitten, Roula Gavalas, Argyro Gavalas, Melbourne designer, Add a tag

Despite what you might think from this blog, not all artists work with words or paper! To prove it, today I'm interviewing Argyro (or Roula) Gavalas, a Melbourne designer. I met her when I was looking for a dress for the Nim's Island premiere. It's the most beautiful dress I've ever owned: the only 'disappointing' thing was that I had envisaged a long and arduous day of shopping, and instead, my dress was the first thing I saw when I entered the shop. I knew it was the one – tried it on, and that was that! (My husband,needless to say, didn't find that disappointing at all.) I wore it for the world premierre on the Gold Coast, and again in Hollywood, at the Graumanns Chinese Theater, and it made me feel wonderful at both.

Her website is http://www.argyro.com.au.

I loved hearing about Argyro's relationship with her four-legged companion - obviously one of mutual care and love. Isn't that what all relationships should be! This is what she had to say:

I have a gorgeous pet cat called Leo. He has been with me since he was 6 weeks old and he’s now about 13. He is the most wonderful companion and I’m convinced that he tunes in to my moods and how I am feeling. He habitually likes to get me out of bed around 5:30 -6:00 am but one time I came home on a Friday night and was quite ill and throwing up which he witnessed. Then I crawled in to bed and woke at 12noon the next day with him sitting by my head on my pillow watching me quite intently. He hadn’t made a sound at all he just watched over me till I woke up. I felt really cared for.

I am not a mother but when I went to meet Leo for the first time he had been feeding with a dropper because his mother had abandoned him and he was one of 2 surviving kittens from a litter of 11. Anyway he’d been just fed and I put him on my palm because he was that little and he rolled over and burped! I bonded instantly with him then and there....this incredible feeling came over me which I’d never felt before....it was a warm feeling and I was awestruck by him and this little life that I was holding in my hands.

I’m still very much in love with my Leo. My partner Mark understands of course.

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6. Artists and Animals: Susan Boase, author and illustrator

By: Wendy Orr, on 2/29/2012
Blog: Wendy Orr's author journal (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: LOST A Dog Called Bear;dog book, Susan Boase, Lucky Dog, Missing A Cat called Buster, artist and dog, Rainbow St Shelter series, animal shelter book, Artists and animals, chapter book, Add a tag

Susan Boase is achildren’s book author and illustrator living in Portland, OR, USA. I've had the pleasure of seeing her work for the last couple of years as she's illustrated the first two books in the Rainbow Street series: LOST! A Dog Called Bear, and MISSING! A Cat Called Buster. The details in her pictures certainly show her feeling for animals, so I was very pleased when she agreed to be interviewed for this blog. However I didn't realise that she shares the belief in Buster: that sometimes, life chooses a pet for you. I hope her next one finds her soon.

From LOST! A Dog Called Bear

From: MISSING! A Cat Called Buster

You can find out more about Susan at: www.susanboase.com

Have you ever been inspired by an animal in your life or art?

My picturebook, Lucky Boy (drawings by David Small, Houghton Mifflin,2002) was inspired by a neglected dog in my neighborhood. He was a sweet Dalmatian,so dirty he appeared to be brown with black spots. One day the family picked upand moved away. I was plagued by thoughts of what had become of him. I wrote Lucky Boy to give his story a happyending. My smooth fox terrier, Frida, was the model for Lucky Boy.

Did you have pets as a child?

The first petI can remember was a parakeet who flew out the front door when a

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