Farm Sanctuary Portraits - In Sanctuary  

Limited Edition 1/100                                                                                                              Photo 11" x 14"                                                                                                                        Framed 13" x 17"

Artist Bio:  I’ve been an aspiring artist for as long as I can remember - an animal lover, too. The turmoil following the 2016 election insisted that I do something, however; sitting on the sidelines was no longer possible as cruelty dominated the headlines. I was confronted with the truth about animal agriculture that I could no longer ignore. Especially shocking was the separation of mothers and babies, a foundational premise of dairy production that I knew nothing about. I went vegan and have never looked back.

Soon after that, living as an ethical vegan didn’t seem enough; I felt compelled to do something more. I started volunteering weekly at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, and since then it has become an important part of my life. A year after I started volunteering, the idea of #portraitsofsanctuary began to percolate as I spent time with the animals. And then it became obvious: if we acknowledge that animals, like humans, possess unique personalities, it follows that they are worthy of portraiture. I like to believe the portraits have improved technically over the years, but am under no illusion that my work can compare with that of professional artists. The drawings aren’t supposed to be stand-alone pieces, anyway. Rather, they’re invitations to read the stories that accompany each one; woven into each is information I hope will inform and inspire. My intent is to offer a different perspective in the hope that people might rethink long-held assumptions, change their minds, and maybe even their behaviors, as I did. I was reluctant at first to put the portraits online, because I didn’t want to engage with trolls who amuse themselves by harassing vegans. But the profound suffering of animals everywhere calls upon all of us to be helpful, be brave, try harder; #portraitsofsanctuary is my answer to that call.

Flora Animalia supports Mercy for Animals.