MARYSVILLE – Animal lovers let their creative juices flow on Saturday, capturing their pet’s personality on canvass at a Paint Your Pooch paint ‘n sip hosted by Marysville Dog Owners Group.
And, okay, the hand-painted portraits wouldn’t fetch “Dogs Playing Poker” dollars at an auction, but what the amateur artists did produce were surprisingly good paintings of their furry family members to own and enjoy.
The fundraiser to support M-DOG and Strawberry fields for Rover Off-Leash Park was held at Whitewall Brewing Co. in Marysville, which also chipped in proceeds from beer and beverage sales.
The art session was guided by Marysville artist Aletha Tatge, owner of Revealed Lines. She emphasizes the therapeutic healing and relaxation that come through the ark-making process as much as the freedom of expression, a message she shares at painting parties, workshops and classes.
Participants emailed a photo of their pet in advance to Tatge. She sketched a rough outline onto canvass, then provided a palette with dabs of acrylic paint to match their dog’s – or cat’s – head shot.
Some participants brought their leashed dogs, who socialized with other dogs and kept an eye on their owner’s painting progress. Other attendees enjoyed an afternoon of sipping suds while letting loose their skills with a brush.
Katrina Nickolan of Marysville said the painting session was a wonderful experience, “Bringing together a diverse group of people for a great cause and letting us explore our creative sides.”
Art has been a hobby of Nickolan’s since childhood. Although this was her first time using acrylics, her natural talent showed in the rich shades of detail she painted of her 14-year-old female mix, Miko.
“Aletha is a great instructor that really gets you to work outside your comfort zone and push your boundaries,” Nickolan said.
At the end of the session, participants had finished portraits of their four-legged friends.
While Miko’s aging hips keep her from going to the dog park these days, she enjoyed visits when Nickolan first moved to Marysville. Nickolan will treasure her painting and the memories that will go with it, just as soon as she frames and hangs it.
“Right now it’s in our dining room on the sideboard and it gives me a chuckle to see Miko sitting under it!” she said.
