Orphan Projects
On more than one occasion I have derived inspiration for advocacy work from the opportunity to do something creative before an unusually large audience...particularly when that audience has gathered in the spirit of goodwill.
This drawing of Oliver is a case in point. Created during Live Coverage, a fundraising event for the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (Grand Rapids, MI), this image was ultimately sold at auction to benefit UICA programs, but also served throughout the event to introduce many attendees to the (still uncommon) concept of sanctuary for rescued farm animals.
Oliver was saved from a dairy farm in northern California - a "useless" male calf, neglected from birth - and is now a permanent resident of Farm Sanctuary in Orland, California. As I rendered his portrait, many Live Coverage onlookers expressed curiosity about my beautiful bovine subject, affording me ample opportunity to share the story of Farm Sanctuary, as well as my own passion for the well-being of all creatures.