Artists & Illustrators Draw On Their Love Of Animals For The Creative Pet Project.

I know there are many wonderfully innovative and creative projects out there asking for your funding on sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. But this one is truly worthwhile and supports two causes close to my own heart - Animals and Art. Rob Snow and the artists put a ton of work into it and the rewards for contributing are terrific (shown further down in the post), so I hope you will consider helping them fund the project.


above: "Rooooaaar!" by Rob Snow, the brainchild behind the Creative Pet Project

Over the past two years, 111 artists and illustrators from around the world have come together to form the Creative Pet Project. Their intent is to create a unique and beautiful book - but a book with a difference. The aim of the book would be to raise funds for numerous charities which support animals. For this reason the criteria for inclusion in the book was to have a companion animal and, at the same time, include animals in the artwork.





Many a well-known name in art genres such as pop surrealism, lowbrow art, and children’s book illustration have come together because they share a goal and motivation; to help animals.



Just a few participating in the project are Tara McPherson, Martin Wittfooth, Chet Zar, Dilka Bear, John Brophy, Ana Bagayan, Sas Christian, Brian Kesinger (of Teagirl fame) and Brandt Peters/Kathie Olivas. The talent in the book is endless.


above left: artists Sas and Colin Christian with Bunny and Brody; above right: artist Carol Rizzo with her cat, Bear.

Many of the artists (65%) have rescue animals. They have become passionate about their connection to animals, which shows in the amazing artwork which this project has selected. To give you an idea of some of the talent included, here is a selection of some of those featured in the project (click their names to visit their sites/article sites). Raffaele Bafefit, Ana Bagayan, Dilka Bear, Chris Brett, John Brophy, Chris Buzelli, Rachel Caldwell, Erica Calardo, John Casey, Mary Chiaramonte, Sas Christian, David Cowles, Chris Crites, Antonio Segura Donat, Lola Gil, Paulina Góra, Fabio Hurtado, Jon Jaylo, Andy Kehoe, Brian Kesinger, Jean-Christian Knaff, Anita Kunz, Jen Lobo, Tara McPherson, Jackie Morris, Ricardo Martinez Ortego, Yuko Shimizu, Heiidi Tailleferr, Martin Wittfooth, Chet Zar

Artwork from the Creative Pet Project:


The book is now ready, and ready to print. On Saturday, February 1st they launched a funding campaign at Indiegogo (igg.me/at/cpp-book), in the hopes of raising enough money to publish the book as well as continue the project for further volumes.

The charities to benefit from the book are planned at three per volume. The first volume's proceeds would go toward PETA, IFAW and Born Free USA. These charities are doing invaluable work for animals, the environment and education.

Below is the pitch from Rob Snow, the creative force behind the project, used on Indiegogo:


The perks/rewards:

For helping fund the book, perks include wonderful prints by the artists who contributed to it.

The Creative Pet Project asked the contributing members to add some pieces of work to the possible perks included for this campaign. Many have given permission to do limited prints of the work included, some signed, some unsigned. Original pieces, and other items to interest you in contributing. There are so many they have listed them so you can see and choose the week that you'd like to get the perk.

Week One ~ 1st - 7th Feb and Week Five ~ 1st - 7th March:


1. "Madonna" by Anita Cruz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5"x16" 1 available
2. "Boris" by Kristin Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
3. "Foxes" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x15” 4 available
4. "Rooooaaar!" by Rob Snow - limited edition print ($150) Signed 27”x19” 10 available
5. "Pets" by Rob Reger - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 8”x10” 25 available
6. "Las Abejas No Tienen Rey" by Sergio Chaves - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
7. "Manny" by Rick Dienzo Blanco - limited edition print ($30) Signed 10”x10” 25 available
8. "Wisdom" by Jon Jaylo - limited edition print ($80) Signed 11”x17” 10 available
9. "Somewhere" by Dilka Bear - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 12.7”x16” 3 available
10. "untitled106" by Paulina Góra - original painting ($250) Signed 27”x19” 1 available
11. "Water Animals" by Rachel Caldwell - limited edition print ($250) Signed 13”x13" 1 available
12. "Wisdomseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available


Week Two ~ 8th Feb - 14th & Week Six ~ 8th - 14th March


1. "Mr.Froggy" by Erica Calardo - limited edition print ($60) Signed 5.83"x8.27” 1 available
2. "Crow" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 3 available
3. "Where are you" by Jen Lobo - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 10 available
4. "C'mon Baby Light My Fire" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
5. "pro32" by Paulina Góra - original sketch ($35) Signed 8”x11” 1 available
6. "Betula" by Kristen Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
7. "Sunrise" by Cole Lemke - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
8. "Gatorcat" by William B Hand - limited edition print ($80) Unsigned 16”x21” 10 available
9. "Somewhere - part 2" by Dilka Bear - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 12.7”x16” 3 available
10. "India" by Jean-Christian Knaff - limited edition print ($90) Signed 16”x11” 80 available
11. "Blancaflor" by Tesa González - limited edition print ($100) Signed 16”x11” 10 available
12. "Pimp My Ride" by Rob Snow - limited edition print ($120) Signed 16”x21” 10 available
13. "Pet Portrait" by Lou Pimentel - limited edition print ($150) Signed 4.5”x6” 1 available

Week Three ~ 15th - 22nd Feb & Week Seven ~ 15th - 22nd March


1. "Cat Lover(s)" by John Casey - limited edition print ($68) Unsigned 11”x16” 10 available
2. "Hope for Rain" by Marco Piunti - limited edition print ($60) Signed 16”x21” 10 available
3. "Zephur" by Kirstin Tercek - limited edition print ($50) Signed 11”x14” 1 available
4. "The Monkees" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
5. "En Attente Expectations" by Marty-Cruz - limited edition print ($30) Unsigned 8.27”x11.69” 10 available
6. "Girl Green" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 3 available
7. "Human & Pet #1" by Marty-Cruz - original sketch ($58) Signed 5,83”x8,27” 1 available
8. "Morphseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available
9. "Shell" by Elena Ospina - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x16” 20 available
10. "Jimi Hendrix" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
11. "Rod Stewart" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
12. "The Unloved Ones" by Mario Sánchez Nevado - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 16”x11” 50 available
13. "Tea" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available

Week Four ~ 23rd - 28th Feb & 22nd - 29th March


1. "The Stones" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
2. "Bioseeker" by Lorena Krause - limited edition print ($50) Signed 7”x11” 1 available
3. "Can't Resist" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available
4. "Hex" by Mary Chiaramonte - limited edition print ($50) Signed 18”x24” 1 available
5. "Steampunk Girl" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 5 available
6. "Fox with Baby's Breath" by Yating Sun - limited edition print ($50) Unsigned 11”x17” 5 available
7. "Hide" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available
8. "Elvis" by Anita Kunz - limited edition print ($300) Signed 14.5”x16” 1 available
9. "Postcard Set" by Liran Szeiman - limited edition print ($22) Signed 4”x6” 1 available
10. Human & Pet #2" by Marty-Cruz - original sketch ($58) Signed 5,83”x8,27” 1 available
11. "Come Closer" by Lazarina Nedelcheva - limited edition print ($40) Unsigned 11”x19” 10 available


The Impact
The impact of your help will be to provide much needed funds to help animal charities in their crucial and critical work with animals, and environmental issues alike.

• To stop deforestation and land erosion.
• To stop animal trafficking and the extinction of species.
• To stop over fishing of the seas and illegal whaling.
• To stop animal abuse in many aspects from domestic/industrial and wildlife.



For more information, and to pledge some money to make this project work, or to pre-order a copy of the paperback or hardback versions, please visit the campaign site here . They have many perks and rewards to help you choose how to fund the project. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you could help make a difference.

Hardback
Beautiful hard back book with presentation box sleeve. Each purchase here comes with a ePub version as well.

• 111 Full Colour Paintings and Illustrations.
• 111 Portrait images with pet of the artists involved.
• 11.6" x 11.6" in dimension
• Biography of artist and pets.
• Image description.
• Over 250 pages of literature.
• Including charities work program spreads.
• Contributor thank you section.
• Comes in a box sleeve presentation.

$65 + P&P - Order here

Softback
Beautiful soft back book with satin finish cover. Each purchase here comes with a ePub version as well.

• 111 Full Colour Paintings and Illustrations.
• 111 Portrait images with pet of the artists involved.
• 11.6" x 11.6" in dimension
• Biography of artist and pets.
• Image description.
• Over 250 pages of literature.
• Including charities work program spreads.
• Contributor thank you section.

$50 + P&P Order here

PDF of the book
An exact copy of the book in PDF format, to view on computer or tablet. Printing has been disabled.
$15 - Order here

eBook
A ePub version of the book. Redesigned to suit the ePub format.
$10 - Order here

Infographic


For your interest, they have created a very cool infographic (of which a very small part is shown above) to help explain the contributors presence. The full PDF version can be seen here: http://www.creative-pet-project.com/pdf/infographic.pdf

The Creative Pet Project on Indiegogo

Lions And Tigers And Buttocks, Oh My! Body Painting By Craig Tracy

Along with the likes of Joanne Gair, Emma Hack, Verushka, Guido Daniele and M.A.C. make-up body artists I have featured, Craig Tracy is another individual who creates art with body paints on the human form.



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 process:

Craig with the final work:




Please visit http://english.savechinastigers.org/ and help support this effort if you can.

See much more of his work here.
©2009 Craig Tracy, Painted Alive Bodypainting Gallery, All Rights Reserved.
827 Royal Street, New Orleans LA 70116.

Good Fun for Good Dogs. And A Good Cause

Above: Dru Barkymore and Pugnelope Cruz

Is your loving companion a good dog?
Why not reward him or her with a mouthful of Rosie O' Doggell or Brad Pittbull?
You'll not only make your dog happy, but other dogs as well. What am I talking about? Read on.

Doggin' Celebrities with Haute Diggity Dog

The other day I was surfing the net for some toys to put in my jewish dog's Chanukah stocking. (Okay, if that sentence doesn't make me sound like a crazy woman, I don't know what does.)

Nevertheless it was during this odd exercise that I came across some newly released limited edition plush dog toys on Muttropolis.com that actually made me laugh aloud. Enough to startle my dog for whom I was shopping (Indie, my 1 year old jack russell terrier) who was sleeping at my feet as I surfed the net (see below).



Puparazzi Pups are the brainchild of Pamela Reeder and Victoria Dauernheim, the ladies behind Haute Diggity Dog. And, to make it even easier to purchase these, Haute Diggity Dog announced that they will be donating a portion of profits from these Limited Edition Toys to nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping dogs rescued from HIGH KILL SHELTERS across the country under their new program HELP A DOG PLAY ANOTHER DAY!


Above: Bruce Woofless, Clint Barkwood, Angelina Grrrowlie and Doggy Depp

Upon seeing these hilarious canine versions of hip hollywood, I promptly wrote to Pamela and Victoria wanting to know more about them and where the profits would be going.


Above: Pomeranian Anderson, Biteme Spears, Bone Rivers and Brad Pittbull

How many did they make?
Where can I buy them?
Did they need to have the celebrity's permission?
Who designed them?


Above: Bark Nicholsen, Pup Doggy, Rosie O'Doggell and Sarah Jessica Barker

In a matter of minutes I received a friendly and informative reply from Pamela Reeder who was happy to tell me about this fun and benevolent project.

Coincedentally, my question about the 'permission' to create these was a timely one. Just last week Haute Diggity Dog won their second lawsuit brought against them by Louis Vuitton- LVMH (who clearly lack a sense of humor). Their toys were judged as parodies of famous objects. You can read details about the suit here.

Pamela, who designed these herself, went on to explain about the project:
"...We will be listing monthly how much money we raised that month and WHO it went to with a link for the group.Our November sales will be going to The Baja Animal Sanctuary and we will be presenting them with a check on December 6th as well as 165 rubber dog toys for the dogs for Christmas. The sanctuary is in the desert and is semi-outside with dirt floors so sending our toys would be inappropriate, so I bought rubber sturdy ones. Most of these dogs have never even had a toy in their lives. Which is the whole basis of this fund raiser...our toy sales helping other needy dogs live to play another day.

We are donating fifty cents for every toy sold at wholesale....so far this month we have sold approx 7,450 pc..so that's $3,225 already with 2 more weeks to go! Once the toys sell out that will be it for this collection and my guess is that we will be sold out by January at this rate since it is Christmas but we plan to do another collection the same way (something different) late Spring again (-: We are hoping to raise $30,000 or more from this one collection!"

You can tell from her enthusiasm and language in the above excerpt from her e-mail to me how much she and her partner really care about the welfare of dogs.


Below is some background on the fun and fashionable duo behind the luxe parody dog toys.



HAUTE DIGGITY DOG is the brain puppy of Pamela Reeder and together with partner Victoria Dauernheim, Haute Diggity Dog has quickly grown from a fun idea to a successful line of popular parody dog toys, unique collars, carry bags, and must have dog accessories. Additionally, the company's products have been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America,and CBS Early Show,Haute Diggity Dog has an extensive celebrity following and has been a featured item in gift bags to nominees and presenters at the Oscars and Emmy Awards.

PAMELA REEDER is no stranger to growing a business. She learned the ropes while owning a successful bath and body retail store. She also owned and operated a freelance floral design business, some of her clients included Spago, New Line Cinema, Disney, Glamour Magazine, Martha Stewart and president Bill Clinton. Pamela's skills were also utilized as a product manager/buyer for a major Las Vegas casino resort company. It was her great love of dogs though, that led her down the path to Haute Diggity Dog.

Pamela lives with her two beloved dogs Biscuit and Rusty. All three are redheads :)

VICTORIA DAUERNHEIM was one of the pioneers at FedEx and assisted the start-up company through its development years into becoming a billion dollar giant we know today. Working for FedEx and coming from a military family enabled this "Southern Belle" to travel the world. Victoria is a little bit of Champagne, a little bit of moonshine, and a whole lot of fun. She and Pam met while working for a Las Vegas casino resort chain. Victoria has a feisty Pomeranium named Fluffy.

Pam and Victoria's love of animals has been the driving force that propelled Haute Diggity Dog from dream to reality. Both are involved in charitable foundations and are big advocates and supporters of dog rescue programs.

You can contact Pam and Victoria at info@hautediggitydog.com

Some online retailers who carry Haute Diggity Dog products:
www.smalldogmall.com
www.trixieandpeanut.com
www.muttropolis.com
www.shopluckydog.com
www.inthecompanyofdogs.com
www.lushpuppyonline.com
www.barkslope.com
www.dogbar.com
www.wrapables.com
www.jakesdoghouse.com
www.hautedogboutique.com
www.tailsinthecity.com
www.glamourdog.com
www.pamperedpup.com
www.gwlittle.com
www.thepinkpaw.com
www.bestinshowsf.com
www.pawpalaceonline.com
www.moochieandco.com
www.canineranchnyc.com
www.shopthedog.com
www.wiggle-n-waggle.com
www.poshpetboutiqueandspaw.com
www.maxwelldog.com
www.busterandsullivan.com
www.michipet.com
www.funnyfur.com
www.doggievogue.com
www.diggitydogcarmel.com
www.yourdogwilldigit.com
www.foxypaws.com
www.happytailpets.com
www.fundogfred.com
www.ruffaroundthehedges.com