Tails and Tiles

Dog and Cat Greeting Cards (and cows, pigs, rabbits)

2007-04-04T16:36:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited about the little "Shop My Greeting Card" widget at the top left of the page. It takes you to my Blessing Art animal card shop at Greeting Card Universe. This is a new company, or a new service of an existing Reminder Service Company, and artists can sell their card designs there as well as open a storefront. It's free, it's fun, and I hope you take a look!

For shoppers, it is 2.49 per card plus postage and you can cusomize your cards. At top are a few I added last night.

ebay, dog rescue, new mexico, new mexico artists, ceramic tiles, dye sublimation, cafepress, ebay stores, puppy, dog, dog art, Pets, Animals, Dachsund Komondor dog+rescue dog+adoption funny+dogs dog+art dog+t-shirts dog+gifts funny funny+animals dachsund+t-shirts

Adopt a Komondor, Adopt a Dachsund!

2007-03-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

I have a couple of new Adopt a _____ designs: Komondor and Dachsund. The Komondor has a coat that is great fun to draw :) The design is available on t-shirts, tiles, and other apparel/gifts.
I've been meaning to do several of the dogs with corded coats (?) because they are so much fun for caricature, so I will have to pull out my pics and study!

To see what's new at Nearholy Studio, visit nearholy.com or Animal Gift Art and Tiles at ebay.
Thanks for looking!

ebay, dog rescue, new mexico, new mexico artists, ceramic tiles, dye sublimation, cafepress, ebay stores, puppy, dog, dog art, Pets, Animals, Dachsund Komondor dog+rescue dog+adoption funny+dogs dog+art dog+t-shirts dog+gifts funny funny+animals dachsund+t-shirts

Who doesn't love a Chihuahua?

2007-03-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

I just finished a couple of new designs--I Love Chihuahuas and Adopt a Chihuahua (or two). Since we lost our Chow Chow last year, we are a dogless home, but the 5 cats and 2 cottontails we are rehabilitating have approved the Chihuahua as dogs go, since they are about the same size and the cats and rabbits could give one a run for their money :) Not that they would, of course.

I've also got a Beagle and Boston Terrier design somewhere on my computer that I haven't been able to track down, but as soon as I do, I will add them to the "Adopt a ___" series. Oh, and a Dachsund too.

And as always, these designs are available on my website: nearholy.com and ebay

I was very excited for a short time because I'd found a printer for 6x6 and 8x8 tiles, but unfortunately, I am not able to offer these again until I find another. The last of these bigger tiles went to Artiste, a gallery/shop in Houston, owned and run by the Proehls. (Very nice people, btw.)

There is a short series of dog, cat, ferret, and rabbit memorials that I did for United Priority Distributors, who sell urns, etc for people who've lost their animal companions. Beyond that, I've started a small collection of designs for my own shops and making them customizable to enable customers to have their pet's name included. See a couple of posts back for the new cat designs in this collection.

I have been doing much less actual painting for the last year and focusing more on design for t-shirts and tiles and such. As long as I'm creating something new, tho, I'm pretty happy! Starting to funnel my Blessing Art designs into Greeting Card Universe so all 400+ images from that animal series are available on paper and ecards.

that's it for today!
thanks for reading :)

sharon
nearholy.com

ebay, dog rescue, new mexico, new mexico artists, ceramic tiles, dye sublimation, cafepress, ebay stores, puppy, dog, dog art, Pets, Animals, Chihuahua Beagle dog+rescue dog+adoption funny+dogs dog+art westies westhighland+white+terriers dog+t-shirts dog+gifts funny funny+animals chihuahua+t-shirts

New Dog Rescue Designs on T-shirts

2007-03-22T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well, new stuff today to share: I've been adding T-shirts to my ebay store! Brand new are cocker spaniel rescue and adoption, irish setter adoption and rescue, westies and rescue/adoption, as well as one of my bestselling designs-3 Rescue puppies. I have Boston Terrier, Dachsund, Beagle, and Chihuahua in the wings, so check back soon.

As always, new stuff first goes into my shop at Cafepress: Blessingart. Also, I have signed up with a greeting card universe so all of the Blessing Art designs are available as paper cards, individually and in sets.

And finally :) I have Plus Size t-shirts available! Now you can find SM-5X. Big sizes for big-hearted animal lovers. Check my shop Blessingart at Cafepress for the new sizes. Click on pics below if you want to browse the products. Happy Thursday! Sharon, Nearholy Studio

Rescue Puppies

Adopt a Cocker Spaniel

Adopt an Irish Setter

Adopt a Westie

Be sure to visit Nearholy.com to sign up for our newsletter
and tell your friends about us!

ebay, dog rescue, new mexico, new mexico artists, ceramic tiles, dye sublimation, cafepress, ebay stores, puppy, dog, dog art, Pets, Animals, Irish+setter cocker+spaniel dog+rescue dog+adoption funny+dogs dog+art westies westhighland+white+terriers dog+t-shirts dog+gifts funny funny+animals

New Memorial Designs for Special Cats

2007-03-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

New at the Blessing Art Shop: Funny, one of a kind gifts, T-shirts,
ceramic tiles, and more for the serious, or not so serious animal lover:

12 new memorial designs for the special cat you love. It's difficult to lose
a companion with whom you've lived for years, and hopefully these designs,
on the whimsical side, illustrate the love and the smiles they have brought
into our lives. Here are the new designs:

Or if you are an auction lover, they are also available in my ebay store:
Animal Gift Art and Tiles

go here.

Be sure to visit Nearholy.com to sign up for our newsletter
and tell your friends about us!

ebay, cat rescue , new mexico, new mexico artists, ceramic tiles, dye sublimation, cafepress, ebay stores, kitty, cat, cat art, Kitten, Pets, Animals, pet memorials, Rainbow Bridge

2007 Happy New Year!

2007-01-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a very happy holiday season! And may 2007 be filled with love, joy, and prosperity...

And I just have to share my funniest holiday picture--sent by a friend/customer who purchased a Christmas ornament from me this year... I also think this is a great gesture of support for an artist, lol.

Here is the ornament and the picture sent by Dan Stearns of Arizona:

"I had a little fake tree for the last couple years. It
died this year, so my girlfriend cut off the branches
to make a wreath.

Here's my pathetic little tree, adorned with a very
cool ornament. Dan"

Thanks Dan, lol! I'm really honored to have played a part in your version of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree!

And here's the ornament from my cafepress shop, blessingart:
http://www.cafepress.com/blessingart.28133027
Canines We Have Heard On High...

2007, cafepress, christmas, christmas tree ornaments, dogs, 2007, new year

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2006-12-18T19:13:00.000-08:00

6 Happy Happy Santas!
Pic sent by Joan Tabek @ Sage Fruit in Washington
These are Joan's rescue babies :) Some considered
Unadoptable...who couldn't love those faces??

Tomorrow I am flying out to Portland, Oregon for the holidays, so to everyone in the midst of visiting out of town and I wish you happy and safe trips!

A little news: I recently closed my Ebay store for the time being. I am stretching too thin between my site, my shops and an ebay store--all of which require full time attention to function at their best. I might reopen later, but for the time being, I will be filling a new shop with designs, getting a catalog out for Blessing Art (tm), and revamping Nearholy Studio's site, Nearholy.com.

thanks to my customers for a great year!

sharon

It's a Kitty Menorah!

2006-11-07T17:32:00.000-08:00

The holidays are fast approaching! Before the inevitable months of stress, I mean fun, begin...a little levity. And if you like this design--click on the pic and go browse my shop where you will find this and other holiday gift ideas!
Let the happy holidays begin!

furry blessings-
sharon

cafepress, ebay stores, kitty, menorah, channukah, hannukah, hanukah, jewish, Judaism, holidays, chanukah, hanukkah, cat, cat art, Kitten, Pets, Animals,

Happy Howloween!

2006-10-31T16:11:00.000-08:00

Creating Halloween Cats

2006-10-28T02:22:00.000-07:00

We were sitting around talking about chocolate and the fact that we didn't have any AND that maybe we should go trick or treating on Halloween AND maybe the cats wouldn't mind wearing masks and carrying bags for chocolate, just to help the cause...when the image just made me laugh. So I did a quick little sketch and finished up in Photoshop:

And of course, the design is available on T-shirts, cards, tiles, baby stuff, etc. even though Halloween is pretty darned close! Just click on the picture with color :)

cat, cat art, Kitten, Pets, Animals, halloween cats, halloween

Maternity Survival Kit : Cats! New Cat Series

2006-10-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

What does the mom-to-be need more than anything? A friend, a partner, a pal...a cat! Here's why:

"The Maternity Survival Kit":

Embarassed by your swollen ankles?
Need fitness partners for motivation?

Trouble finding the perfect tummy warmer?

Interested in prenatal massage?

You love your cats and your cats love you..let them be active participants in your pregnancy! A new member of the family will be a new member of their family too!

Click on the picture to go to the Blessing Art Shop where you can find the rest of the series on your favorite gifts.

We Have Greeting Cards!

2006-10-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

I've just started adding Blessing Art Card Sets to our offerings both on Nearholy.com (Nearholy Studio website) and our ebay store! The first set available is a 6 card set of Rescue Dogs. Next are Rescue Cats. We have close to 500 images to group into sets so I'll be making them available a few sets at a time.

Happy Sunday Evening from beautiful New Mexico--
sharon

ebay, dog cards, cat cards, dog rescue, cat rescue , new mexico, new mexico artists, ceramic tiles, dye sublimation

Tiles and Home Decor Focus

2006-10-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

I received a note from one of my wonderful customers who is building her own home and is 6 weeks from finishing..(i'm really inspired by this!)

She wanted to know if i sold solid color tiles to use with imaged tiles--accent tiles. I hadn't thought of that! So, now I do! I am including a range of colors I use in my work (heavy cobalt!) to compliment the images. I am also going to include your typical pawprints, bones, etc..

Look for some how to's and project ideas, customer photos of finished projects, tips, an faq and basic home decor focus for the Blessing Art tiles on my website in the near future.

furry blessings!
sharon

Blessing Art Tiles in Albuquerque, the Magazine this summer!

2006-10-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

I was very proud to have my tile designs appear in the magazine this summer--thanks to Andrea Buongiorno, the shopping editor, for finding my work and contacting me!

They included one of my handpainted tiles--which I'm not able to do right now, being separated from the kiln...but there are close to 500 images now in my Dog and Catalog :)

thanks Andrea and Albuquerque, the Magazine

New home in the country-ish

2006-09-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is over and we have moved into the new place in Edgewood, on the other side of the mountains. I love it out here--a rural feel while being only 1/2 hour from Albuquerque.

Still, I get terribly sad when I go anywhere because development is constantly happening here. Animals have nowhere to go when they are moved out of their homes every time we clear a tract of land. Why we don't look for alternatives to developing open land?

Why keep clearing land and creating new homes and communities when homes and communities exist that could be rehabilitated? Why not make use
of what we already have? At some point there will be nowhere for the animals to go.

We moved here for the rural nature of the area and not a month later a big Albuquerque developer wanted to buy up a huge tract of land that is just on the other side of our neighbors to the right. I couldn't believe it.

The developer wants to make a "community" with 2.6 homes per acre for "working people". The homes will all be in the $100,000 range, so it's clear which workers they have in mind. There is about as much room for the poor in communities as there is for wildlife. And it is a theoretical community-the people aren't even here yet, but the rabbits and coyotes, prairie dogs, birds, snakes are. The town of Edgewood said no to the development, but now the developer is back appealing the decision.

I know this isn't a very "up" post, but it is hard to focus on animals in my work and not be aware of what's really happening to them outside of the positive images I paint.

wildlife, Animals, Nature, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, wildlife extinction, wildlife protection, wildlife conservation, overpopulation, land development, urban development, wilderness, animal protection

New Design: Pigs Are Dancing!

2006-05-29T01:07:00.000-07:00

Well, this is us! We are preparing to move into our new house and we are busy busy. We get to live on the other side of the Sandia Mountains now and it is a bit cooler AND more rural.

Out there in the sagebrush with the cottontail rabbits and coyotes, sounds like heaven :)

I am trying to learn cartooning now--an old buried love from childhood. Dutch artist/illustrator Corrie Kuipers has kindly been sharing her vast comic collection!

She has introduced me to some amazing work--more on this later when I get the titles together.

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores, puppies, crafts,comics,

New Dog Tiles and Notes

2006-05-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

I have gotten so behind with my blog--I need to be more diligent in that area!

I am working on a variety of projects right now. Just finished one-- I had a special request for an American Water Spaniel design. I did a set of three, one of which is to the left. They are available for sale--listed both on ebay and in my Cafepress shop.

I am having so much fun with the "strands" that I need to find other breeds I can play design :) Cocker spaniels, Spanish Water Dog, Puli, Corded Poodle, Barbet. They have the most amazing fur! Fun for an artist...

I am working on a logo for a rescue organization in Florida, Helping Hands Pet Rescue.

I am working on fiber-themed tiles for Union Avenue Fiber Art Gallery in Pueblo, Colorado.

The mural for J. Hensley at Digital Dog is finished! This is the mural that was ruined previously. I redid the entire thing and 3 tiles of her beloved Irish Water Spaniels. She has a wonderful dog forum over there.

I have two brand new shops at Cafepress I am trying to fill with designs/products--Budding Buddha Spirit Baby Designs: Celebrate the spirit within every child and Estrogenoa: Female Feel Goods. It is slow going! They aren't related to animals tho, so I will probably have a more general Nearholy Studio blog in the future that includes all of the lines I work on.

I was invited to join Corrie Kuipers in an exhibition in one of the galleries where she is a core artist in the Netherlands, in September. I was very touched that she asked me :) I am a huge fan of her work, so I am looking forward to taking part in this with her. I need to work on a couple of paintings. Haven't had time to do any painting for a while so it is doubly fun to do this!
I'm hoping to wrangle her into a project or two in the future :)

I did a new tile for Andrea Buongiorno at Albuquerque, The Magazine to say thanks for finding my Blessing Art Tiles and putting them in the magazine! (Coming next month)

I am also working on more New Mexico specific designs.

The weather here in Albuquerque is fabulous and getting hotter so summer is really right around the corner. We are readying to move into our new home in July. We outgrew our current house!

furry blessings!
sharon

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores puppies, crafts

Blessing Art Tiles in June issue of Albuquerque: the Magazine

2006-04-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Just a bunch of notes on what's happening:

Very happy to announce that my Blessing Art Tiles will be featured with other local artists in the June issue of Albuquerque: The Magazine! Hope you'll check it out.

I have tried to expand on my animal images--adding pigs, goats, horses, rabbits, etc..at the request of Wee Bar None Ranch who graciously use some of my animals on their home page :)

There were 4 donations in March/April:
Maude Schiffley S.P.C.A. in Orangeburg, SC. ,
Central Ohio Greyhound Rescue,
Humane Society of the Desert, Orphan Pet Oasis,
and Mohawk Valley Humane Society in NY.

Coming up in June: Dakin Animal Shelter in Leverett, Massachusetts in June.

furry blessings!
sharon

albuquerque, new mexico, new mexico artists, albuquerque artists, albuquerque magazines,

Tiles, Tiles, and more Tiles...

2006-04-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is coming! I have a few designs here, but I am working on a few new designs for the event. I also have a busload of tiles to work on at the moment, lol.

I have an order for Kathy Proehl and her gallery store in the Dallas area and I just got the good news a couple of days ago that I will get to include some of my tiles at the new James Dillehay store in Madrid, NM--Baraka Handmade--I have come up with a few SW animal themed designs for that, and then for the Union Avenue Fiber Art Gallery in Pueblo, Co, I am sending knitting and weaving themed animal tiles :) That's a challenge, and fun!

I'm also waiting on the outcome of my redone mural...crossing my fingers.

It's beautiful here in albuquerque today. Breezy and sunny and bright. Can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't have sunshine almost year round :)

I will put up some pics of the tiles I'm working on as soon as I can--right now they are in bisque state with wax resist applied on the design. These particular tiles include text. I am moving fulltime into tiles--have been selling dye sublimation tiles with my Blessing Art images for the past 4 years, and away from painting the small wood panel minis I originally did for the series. I have more than 400 designs now and I want to get a lot of them on tile that can be used for more durable projects--counter tops, tables, etc. The dye sub are great, but there are design/decor projects that they are not appropriate for.

I just received a note from a new website, Puppywishes.com that has a loving and wonderful method of training puppies! You should check it out. They have a book called, Puppy Prophecy that guides you through the process they use for training. I am going to start revamping my website with holistic animal products and information.

furry blessings everyone!
sharon

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores
puppies, crafts, mothers day, mothers day gifts

Happy Earth Day all year round!

2006-04-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am tardy with this post...but it really is a good idea to bring the same Earth Spirit celebration to each day of the year. Mother Earth and all of her children will benefit.

Happy Belated Earth Day :)

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores, earth day

Easter Bunnies and Earth Day are coming!

2006-04-08T01:33:00.000-07:00

Easter is coming! Bunnies are getting in shape and eggs are going to be painted and hidden and many forgotten until they are ripe--the little ones get tired of looking and not finding and abandon the search more often than not, but no problem. Yawning Dog Ranch has verified that ripe Easter eggs are like caviar to dogs.

And Easter art is hopping up everywhere! If you are looking for Bunny Art you could certainly go here:

Animal Gift Art and Tiles

or for a beautifully sweet cat earth day design go here:
Corrie Web Log

Corrie is one of my favorite artists. Her work is whimsical and loving and so hilarious that you should not drink beverages while browsing her sites. I dribbled coffee all over myself when I saw her "Bad Hare Day".

You can't have too many smiles in one day :)

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores, easter, easter bunny, easter art, earth day.

A Trail of Cheetohs

2006-04-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

I'm on a diet. Again. And this one is actually working--hooray! I have been losing 1/2 to 1 lb a day. It's called the 6 week body makeover diet and it's being fun. They gear it toward your particular body type--which is, for me, just a diet that has a toy I haven't tried before.

Last year I tried the Carb Addict's diet: I would spend the entire day in anticipation of the one big meal I would have for the day and that meal would pretty much blow any progress I'd made until then.

I even tried the Atkins diet, but it is hell for a lazy vegetarian.

Anyway, last night I was so happy because I had discovered the night before that I could eat a handful of cheetohs without gaining any weight or retaining water when I stepped on the scale the next morning. I had indeed lost my normal 1/2 lb for the day.

So of course, all day yesterday while working on my affiliate stuff for Cafepress and doing sketches for Easter and revamping my website and...I was waiting in anticipation for the moment, in the middle of the night (I work at night to be on the same schedule as my S.O.) when I would finish working and could sit down to eat my handful o f Cheetohs and watch "A Soul Haunted by Painting" from Netflix.

Today, my S.O. walks into the livingroom and asks why there are Cheetohs all over the floor.
I look down and notice a trail of them from the kitchen. In my glee I had apparently missed my mouth several times as I whipped my hand in and out of the bag before I even reached the livingroom sofa.

I live with two cats who love food as much as I do...Tagni and Leonis, brothers that we rescued when they were abandoned at 2 days old. They fight like brothers do, but they agree on one thing, and that one thing makes us close: food. When the refrigerator door swings open Tagni is right there craning his neck to lick the butter. Leonis will get up from a deep sleep to race into the kitchen before I leave. Tagni loves broccoli and butter. Leonis loves everything. We get along very well.

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores
diets, bbw, women, weight loss, Dieting, Diet Plans

Piddle Happens!

2006-04-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

This is a new tile design that perfectly describes the last month! thanks to Erica at Yawning Dog Ranch Blog for the idea :) She's got a million of them!

So last week, I had a mural all ready to go: 9 tiles, I was happy with it and I was to ship it with 3 other tiles 3 days later. Unfortunately, the mural was overfired by the kiln operator where I take my tiles.

The tiles were all warped and ruined...there is also a policy of non-responsibility for accidents of that kind, so I was pretty much in an uncomfortable position with the customer who purchased this mural. (Actually, a barter for advertising, but still a monetary trade off).

I talked to the people at the clay business about the mishap and tho I was upset, the answer was reasonable. You take your chances and hope that the one time per year out of thousands of firings there is an accident, that it isn't yours :) The business would have to close if they were to accept responsibility for every little possibility with firing because each firing is unique.

So, what to do? Move on and do something else with what I have. This time it's me, next time it's someone else. No favorites :) Piddle happens for all of us puppies...

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores

Luck of the Irish to ya!

2006-03-15T23:30:00.000-08:00

Irish Water Spaniel, that is...this is a design taken from a handpainted tile mural created for J. Hensley at digitaldog.com and adapted to a digital design for dye sublimation tiles.

It is one of a set of three tiles, perfect for bathroom decor (there is a rubber ducky after all :)

Happy news--The Gallery at Gaylord Texan Hotel in the Dallas area has just added Blessing Art Tiles! Visit the store owned by Kathy and Rob Proehl if you are in the area.

Sorry I didn't have time to make an image to go with Erica's great idea for St. Patrick's Day--"on St. Patrick's Day, all dogs are Irish Setters!" Over at Yawning Dog Ranch they dress everyone up with ribbons for the holiday :) thanks for the idea! Hopefully, I can have it ready for next year...:)

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores

Animals and Blessings

2006-03-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

I live with 6 cats and sadly, lost my Chow Chow a few months ago. His name was Tai Tai and he was the spiritual inspiration for the dogs in my Blessing Art Series. We also have a cottontail rabbit on the premises who is recovering from Wry Neck. She is doing very well!

People have asked me where I get the ideas for the series--I used to do about 3-5 designs a day, 5 days a week when I started selling them on ebay--and I told them that there was never a shortage of material here in my own home!

I focused more on dogs for the longest time and the cats all got together and demanded equal time. So, now, I am doing more cat stuff. A lot more...

Living with animals has been good to me--they make me laugh every day and give me something to share with others through my art. They really are a blessing!

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles, cafepress shops, ebay stores

Rescue Organizations and Donating Art

2006-03-03T00:15:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of years I have been donating art to animal rescue organizations for fundraising events. I've also just started selling wholesale tiles to rescue organizations for year round fundraising.
(If you work with an organization and would like to create a similar arrangement, please contact me.)

A lot of organizations contact artists found on ebay--a great idea as there are a large number of artists selling there.

This painting is titled "Cat and Blueberry Pie: (Is this piece for me?)" This went to H.A.L.O. in California. (It measures 12x12 Acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas.)

Donating art is a also a great way for me to make a contribution to a cause that is close to my heart. I started my series, Blessing Art, because I wanted to make art that gave something back to life, not just as a way to make money.

I live with 6 cats and recently lost my beloved Chow Chow, Tai Tai, and they have always been an endless source of inspiration and love. Not to mention help in the "studio", whether it's wanted or not...lol. (The story behind this mini painting: Auction Listing Team.)

Art is all the more satisfying when it comes from the heart and not just the head. When it comes from the heart, it will hopefully reach others via the heart :)

furry blessings!

sharon

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists

A Cat Lover's Life

2006-03-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

Received a letter recently from a wonderful customer who has rescued many cats and given them a loving home. There are so many feral cats today, I thought it would be nice to share a story of one couple's commitment to some of the foundlings in their home:

"Hi Sharon,
I received the painting yesterday; it's soooooooooooo cute! Thank you so much from myself and my babies!

Hope all is well with you. I no longer do nursey type things, but I teach in a Medical Assisting school, which keeps me busy. I'm glad you liked the pics of my "kids". Every one of them has such a different personality, and keep me laughing all of the time. Sam is my Diabetic, so I give him insulin injections twice daily; Allie was adopted a couple of years ago from a local shelter; no one wanted her because she has a heart condition, and was going to be euthanized; I caught her just in time. I've been "collecting" these little unwanteds for quite some time now. They range in age from 11 years to 6 months. Anyway, they all have a special place in my heart, and they show their gratitude every day.

My "furries" are all doing well. We just had the little one neutered last Thursday, and he came though with flying colors. He's a cutie and only weighs about 4.5 pounds, so I was kind of concerned about him. My vets think I'm crazy anyway LOL They are a super group. They're open 7 days a week; some nights until 8 and 10, so I feel very fortunate that I found them, especially when something comes up with my problem children. Sam is my oldest, and diabetic. His sugar sometimes gets out of control and I have to run him to the vet for fluids, which I have tried doing myself before, and just can't handle sticking him with that large of a needle; humans I'm OK with, but not my furbabies.

I guess I am kind of cat crazy, but my darlings mean alot to me; they're like my second generation of kids LOL. My hubby is worse than I am about them. We have three grown children; two girls, one boy, none of which are married and no grands. I keep my fingers crossed that someday I might have a grand or two, but if not, I still have my furbabies. Take care of yourself, and it was great "finding" you on Ebay. Stay in touch, and keep up your great artistic abilities. You're a gem!

Dianne

Funny, Funny Cats, Cat Rescue, Cat Art, Cat Tiles, Tile Artists, Animal Artists

Working on a new folk art mural

2006-02-27T22:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Erica at http://www.yawningdogranch.blogspot.com/ for posting one of my dog pieces on her blog AND inspiration to make Tails and Tiles current! In the last several months I have moved from painting mini art every day and having no time for the business end of art to focusing on the business end and having less time for painting! Somewhere in the middle is the perfect balance of both :)

I have a new cat design for those business owners who are run by their cats:
I just put it up on ebay and my cafepress shop. It is available as an art tile, framed or unframed, and on T-shirts, etc...thanks to Yvette Berke of www.adaptadspecialty.com in Van Nuys, Ca for the great idea!

Have been working on a handpainted tiles and a folk art mural--here is the before :

Spring is coming! It was a beautiful day here in Albuquerque--furry blessings!

sharon
Nearholy Studio
Blessing Art

Animal Artists, Tile Artists, Cat Tiles, Cat Art, Funny Cats, Funny dogs, dog gifts, tile art, folk art, handpainted tiles,cafepress shops, ebay stores

Wildlife Den Mothers

2005-09-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Sherri!

Your blog looks great! I look forward to reading about your rehabbing adventures. Thanks for doing the work you do :)

sharon

New Ceramic Tiles, T-shirts: Vegan, Vegetarian Designs

2005-07-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Support the Compassionate Lifestyle. Wear your belief in the sanctity of all life.
(T-shirts available in S-4xL)

Interested in Compassionate Living,
Vegan and Vegetarian Designs
Buy Here

We have been very busy with cottontail rabbits in the last couple of weeks...two are days away from release--they are so healthy and happy! We are also caring for a baby squirrel and white footed mouse. Mouse is also days away from release! No chance to feel empty nest syndrome when they are released as new babies are being brought in every other day. Most are cat-caught, some dog-caught, some picked up by well-meaning people who don't realize the mother is coming back or close by.

We just received another who is a mere 34 grams. And an abandoned domestic rabbit we received from neighbors whose children were no longer interested in caring for her is on her way from us to a domestic bunny rescue group. That's good news. Poor rabbit has been in a wire cage with no relief for her feet for quite some time. An animal needs a solid surface for their feet/paws. Imagine walking around on a wire surface with the full weight of your body bearing down.

The third design in "Top Ten Reasons to Save Wildlife" is done, finally!

thanks for looking!

Have you tried Freecycle? Changing the World, one gift at a time!

"The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free. "

Ceramic Art Tiles T-shirt dogs Dog Art Tiles Dog Art

Animal Art folk art Vegan Vegetarian Soy tofu Compassionate Lifestyle design

New T-shirt! Save Wild Birds!

2005-06-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

I finished the second design in my "Top Ten Reasons to Save Wildlife" Series:

T-shirts and gift ideas with this design available here

hope you enjoy the designs as much as I enjoy creating them!
sharon

Technorati Tags:
rescue wildlife wild birds tshirt animal rehabilitation

New T-shirts! Save Wildlife Series

2005-06-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Help save wildlife--wear our T-shirts, send our cards, stick our stickers and share the good news! There really IS a good reason not to run off the bunnies!

10% of monthly profit from sales go to animal welfare/rescue organizations.

"In wildness is the preservation of the world."
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862), Walking (1862)

You might also be interested in these gift ideas

have a wild day!
sharon

wildlife
rescue
tshirt

Release day for cottontail rabbit

2005-06-26T23:13:00.000-07:00

We were finally able to release one of our last cottontails this
morning! She was one of two remaining from a group of 8. We let her go
along the Bosque area, not far from the Nature Center and Park in Albuquerque,
on Open Space land.

She was reluctant to leave her little home for a bit, then she sniffed around
and came out.

You can see her in the second photo under the white arrow.

She got acquainted with the
area and it wasn't long before
she slowly hopped off. It
always feels good to know
they have survived being
dog and cat caught or being
found in construction sites,
being nursed back to health
so they can return to the
wild. And you hope the best
for their survival out there.

They are wonderful creatures and as happy as I am that they
are free, I will miss them.

Sharon

Tip: Mother coyote with babies

2005-06-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a non-violent tip for repelling coyote moms with babies:

There was a problem locally with a mother coyote and her babies--she had her den close to a neighborhood where there were a lot of cats. One of the residents closest to the coyote and her den, who also had a cat, wanted to know how to remove the coyotes. And could someone please take care of it?

The suggestion given her was to have an adult male dog urinate around the coyote's den area.

She apparently tried it and the coyote did move her den farther away. Now she is an issue for the neighbors.

We need a coyote rescue group here in Albuquerque!
Or to stop "developing" open land. The old cottonwoods are going too.

sharon
Technorati Tags: rescue wildlife animal rehabilitation

New Save Wildlife Series!

2005-06-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

Have started a new series, "Top Ten Reasons To Save Wildlife"--these are not the obvious reasons like, "animals were in the neighborhood before us", or "animals have rights just like people", but ten more obscure reasons or perks for helping to save local wildlife. It's a humorous set. Top Ten Reasons To Save Wildlife

my partner is a wildlife rehab volunteer here in new mexico and the complaints that come in about local wildlife range from "coyotes are eating the neighborhood cats" to "rabbits are eating my lawn". The one constant is that people, often new to the neighborhood which is usually in a newly developed area, want the animals removed.

No one seems to understand or consider that the animals don't just materialize there to ruin anyone's day, but lived in these areas prior to the development. Where are they supposed to live or hunt when their homes have been taken over by our new homes? Of course they are eating our cats! We live in their homes and we brought small animals with us!

The situation is absurd and sad. Development of new homes we don't need is robbing the natural habitat of many wild animals--coyotes, cottontail rabbits, prairie dogs to name just 3. Coyotes have no rescue group here and the animals who are "removed" are just killed.

So, my series is a response to a situation I don't know how to change. Hopefully humor can make it easier to recognize the absurdity of our demand for convenience and maybe help a coyote or rabbit or 2.

sharon