Wishing You a Merry Christmas

I love Christmas trees. We usually have at least one in every room.  This is one of my favorites - my Teddy Bear Tree.  To me Teddy Bears mean comfort,  companionship and joy.  Actually, this tree should probably be called a "Stuffed Animal Tree" because there are also a few poodles, a polar bear or two, and three Velveteen Bunnies. Which, by the way, is one of my favorite stories.  If you have bever read it, or if it has been a long time, you should read it soon.  Christmas is a great time for children, and for those few adults who haven't forgotten how to be children.  It is my prayer that you are included in that.  Because the Bible encourages us to have faith like a child.

Praying for you and your family the happiest Christmas, and a healthy joyful New Year.

Equine Art Horse and Bunny in the Snow by Della Burgus

Love in Any Language

Acrylic on Stretched, Studio Wrapped Canvas
16 x 20 x .75

We sometimes chose our friends because something about them reminds us of ourselves.  We have the same interests, the same likes and dislikes, we come from similar backgrounds.  Relationships built on our similarities grow because we enjoy the same activities and share similar feelings and ideas.  But every now and then you meet someone who is entirely different.  He looks and speaks differently from you,  he comes from a different place and sees the world from an entirely different perspective. As unlikely as it may seem, sometimes those differences result in the most magical of friendships. Real love is not so concerned with a person's appearance as it is with his heart.

I began this as a horse painting over a year ago,  but was never satisfied with it I began this as a horse painting over a year ago,  but was never satisfied with it. For months it was forgotten, hidden behind a stack of canvases in my studio.  But when I happened upon it again just last week I knew exactly what was needed. The horse was lonely, he needed a friend, so I painted one for him - a little bunny.   I have always been fascinated by the seemingly unlikely friendships between different species of animals. You often hear of dogs adopting baby kittens or cats taking care of squirrels or wild animals.  Earlier this year I shared the story of Bella and Tarra,  a dog and an elephant who have become devoted companions.  While this horse and bunny came out of my imagination, it was inspired by all the true stories of animal friendships.  Despite the confidence we have in our own superiority, we could learn a lot from all of God's creatures - great and small.

The Blizzard of '09 - Welcome to Iowa!

 

We have a good, old fashioned Iowa blizzard this week, the kind we used to have when I was a child. This is day two. Officially so far we have had 14.5 inches, although it isn't clear to me how anyone can be absolutely sure of that. There is so much wind that it is hard to tell what is coming down and what is being blown sideways.  All the highways are closed, but there is nowhere to go anyway. Wednesday, at least, has been canceled in Iowa. My husband was out taking pictures last night, but I believe that God gave us windows for such a time as this. The photo at right is the view from my living room, and I think it gives you a good idea of what it looks like here.

 This is a view of the world from my studio window. We added the room to our house about 23 years ago, and at the time I wanted north light for color clarity, so we have a bank of windows plus a skylight. Now I wonder what I was thinking. No matter how wonderful the window, how great the installation, it is cold in the winter when the wind blows. Even if it is all psychological, I would rather spend my time in some other room in the house.

The neighbors' "snowman" is almost buried by the real stuff. The wind whips his arms around, giving my dog something to bark about.

Speaking of dogs, they don't like this much either.  Larry had to shovel some snow off the deck this morning, just to get the door open for them to go outside.  Then he had to scoop a  path for them. They were grateful, but sure didn't stay long.  Barney usually loves bounding through the snow, but he hasn't been out much, except to bark at the snowplow -which seems to be the only vehicle running today. Button has a better idea...

Canine Art Dogs Dalmatian Dog Painting by Della Burgus

On the 8th Day of Christmas -

A Dalmatian,  Dreaming...

Art Helping Animals is celebrating the 14 days of Christmas (12 days + 2) by featuring one of our fourteen animal charities each day.  Today's painting is in honor of Save the Dalmatians and other Canines, better known as  "Save the Dals"

About Save the Dalmatians & Others Canine Rescue, Inc.

Save the Dalmatians and Others Canine Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the rescue of Dalmatians from shelters, the promotion of adoptions of shelter Dalmatians and education of the public about the Dalmatian breed. We began in 1996 when founder Terri Haase and a friend started taking their Dalmatians to movie theaters during the showing of "101 Dalmatians" to distribute educational flyers in an attempt to stop impulse buying of Dalmatian puppies. Save the Dalmatians was formally incorporated as a California non-profit corporation in 1998. We are all unpaid volunteers.

 Please check out their website for more information, and be sure to visit the Art Helping Animals Blog each day to see the new artwork there.  "Dalmatian Dreaming" is an 8 x 10 Acrylic Painting on studio stretched, wrapped canvas, .75 inches thick.  All the edges are painted, and it is attached on the back so no staples show.  It may be displayed with or without a frame.

If you do not want to purchase a painting at this time, please consider donating to one of our charities so that the animals may have a happier Christmas.  Thanks!

Siamese Cat, Close Up Acrylic Painting

When I Look in Your Eyes, II

Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

9 x 6 x .75

$75

Another painting inspired by the song, When I Look in Your Eyes, from the Dr. Dolittle musical.  This is a close up of the unmistakable face of a Siamese Cat, with the beautiful, intense blue eyes.  This is number two in a series of "face paintings," which focus especially on the eyes. You can see different things in the eyes of different animals - wisdom, patience, playfulness, sadness, joy... I know they know more than we think they do, I suspect they know a whole lot more than we do.

This painting is on stretched, studio wrapped canvas. All the edges are painted and no staples show. It may be displayed with or without a frame.

This painting is dedicated to the memory of my husband's cousin, Alex Fulmer.  In his honor we will be donating $50 to Tabby's Place - A Cat Sanctuary.

Equine Art Western Horses Palomino Horse

"When I Look In Your Eyes"
by Della Burgus
Acrylic on Studio Wrapped Canvas 
8 x 10 x .75
This painting is Sold, 
 

This painting was inspired by the song from the movie musical, Dr. Dolittle, the 1967 version starring Rex Harrison.  While the production itself was somewhat forgettable, I will always remember the song written by Leslie Bricusse.  The lyrics are haunting, and they speak to anyone who has ever loved and been loved by an animal...

When I look in your eyes, I see the wonder of the world in your eyes,

And it is no surprise, to see the softness of the moon in your eyes
The gentle sparkle of the stars in your eyes,When I look in your eyes
In your eyes, I see the deepness of the sea
I see the deepness of the love
The love I feel you feel for me...

As you are giving thanks for all God's gifts this holiday season, please remember to be thankful for the wonderful creatures who share our planet. They love us, serve us with devotion, give us laughter and tears, sometimes they are the only ones who understand us.  They ask nothing in return but our love - and once in a while, maybe a treat. My dogs told me to say that.

I hope that you will remember all those, both human and animal, who do not have the comforts that we enjoy,  pray for them and find a way to bless them if you can.

The complete lyrics to this song are printed below. Be sure you have a Kleenex handy!

Song Lyrics

Equine Art Horse Amish Style Buggy Horses

 Simple Gifts

There is something peaceful and comforting about the sight of an Amish style horse and buggy traveling down the road.  It takes me back in my imagination to another time, a gentler, simpler time when community and family were the core of life, and when faith was real and solid.   These two horses were drawing a buggy through the town where my husband's late parents had lived.  The owner was a very kind man who graciously allowed my husband to photograph his horses and buggy, and even chatted for a while.   It isn't often you see two horses with a buggy; usually it is a single horse. But the man said they had been working together for eleven years and seemed to prefer it that way.

Recently I read a book entitled Think No Evil, by Jonas Belier, who had been raised Amish and was still close to the community. The author tells the story of the Amish schoolhouse shootings from the point of view of the Amish themselves, but goes beyond that by giving us a glimpse into their community and way of life.  He explains how generations of Bible teaching had enabled the Amish to forgive the person who so violently attacked their precious little ones.  He describes their concern for the shooter's family and their refusal to seek any sort of vengeance or retribution. The more I learn about the people who are a part of the Amish and similar communities, the more I admire them.

This pastel was done on Wallis Pastel Paper, and will be available through EBay, Art Helping Animals and Daily Painters on Tuesday. 20% of the sale will be donated to True Blue Animal Rescue.

For more information at this time, please email me.

Email Della