Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun
A masterpiece in the making, above, while Arthur and Pets Lifeline Executive Director Susan Simons admire Arthur’s creation that will be auctioned during the Red & White Ball. Caruso, at left, cleans his paws after painting.
Staff report
On a beautiful afternoon last week, several as-yet-unknown but highly talented Frida Kahlos and Pablo Picassos-to-be gathered to collaborate on several paintings to be auctioned off at a future date. A panting and tail-wagging artist named Arthur was covered head to “tail” in green and orange paint after he contributed to one painting. Another artist, a dainty little girl named Gina, covered herself in blue sparkles and yellow paint and simply squirmed her diminutive body against the canvas to display her artistic skills. The next Jackson Pollock?
Over in the Feline Lounge, several skittish fur-balls pranced and pounced on yet another white canvas in an array of colors. Caruso, a black and white, high-spirited tomcat, chose a vivid orange to paint with and ran around to add his “touch.” It was then that Milo, an old, distinguished and rather large tabby entered the room. While he was given several colors to work with, he chose orange, purple, blue and green. Then in a post-modern flourish, he casually sauntered around the canvas, relishing all the attention given to him, while, of course, making art.
The Pets Paint event was created with the intent of producing several “paintings” to be auctioned off during Sonoma’s Red & White Ball at the Plaza on Saturday, July 14.
Sonoma’s Red & White Ball is an annual fundraiser created by The Sonoma Plaza Foundation, a non-profit entity, to restore and preserve our small town. This year the foundation has designated the restoration and redesign of the Plaza visitor sign as one of its projects, and is donating 25 American flags to be hung around the Plaza. This year’s non-profit beneficiary is Pets Lifeline, in hopes of making people aware of the number of cats and dogs available for adoption at all times.
Tickets for the Red & White Ball are $75 per person and include admission, food, wine and entertainment. For more information or to buy tickets please call 707.996.3885.or visit www.theredandwhiteball.com. Beginning June 1, invitations will be available at both Sonoma Valley Visitor’s Bureau locations (453 1st Street East or at Cornerstone Gardens, 23570 Arnold Drive).
For information regarding Pets Lifeline please call 707.996.4577 or visit www.petslifeline.org.
