Jill Beninato

Jill Beninato
sitstaysmile.com
Jill's blog

Pet photographer Jill Beninato of Sit. Stay. Smile. Photography & Art says her life has gone to the dogs. Her photography clients are usually of the four-legged variety, and her tools of the trade include not only her camera, but squeaky toys, dog treats and tennis balls. Jill has been a pet photographer for the past 8 years and has recently branched out into pet paintings and collage as well. Dogs are her muse and she loves trying to capture their individual personalities on both film and canvas.

"Mugsy" is one of three of Jill's photographs featured on page 5 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book. A fantastic "paws" photo by Jill is also featured in the book on page 72.
"I was inspired to participate in this project because my father was diagnosed with level four Lymphoma and Leukemia two years ago and I think it is really important for people to feel good about themselves while fighting against a life threatening disease...whether you are a man or a woman. It really makes a difference psychologically when they feel like they look "OK" and not sickly." - Jill

Tianna Fisher

Tianna Fisher
TheBlueEyedPup.com

Tianna Fisher grew up in south Florida. She grew up under the wing of two artistic parents and a menagerie of animals. "Just about any animal that 'Followed me home' became part of our family" says Tianna. Her biggest inspiration is a fascination with the individuality and personality of each animal and how they enrich our lives in so many ways. Inspiration also derives from her fun loving and loyal mixed breed dog Inuki and her two very spoiled cats Zero and Yoshimi. This painting "Jane" was an honor to paint and a tribute to a special dog who inspired her owners to start a breed rescue group for Dojo Argentinos. Jane has crossed rainbow bridge but will be forever in the hearts of her family.

Tianna's painting "Jane" is featured on page 57 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book.

"To have an animal in your life is an honor and a privilege. " - Tianna

Aliki Salmas

Aliki Salmas
alikisalmas.com

Kids and dogs love Aliki. Aliki loves film and photography. 
Not since chocolate met peanut butter has there been such synchronicity. When you look at the world through Aliki’s lens, everything is blue skies and sunny days. Puppies in fields, kids with ice cream cones or axe-wielding maniacs*, Aliki shoots it all. Talk about shutter envy.
*Axe-wielding maniacs are professional actors
photographed in the production of motion pictures ONLY

Alfie is one of three photos by Aliki featured on page 51 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book.
"Cancer has touched all of our lives in one form or another. Let’s make a mountain out of a molehill. Every little bit of support helps ." - Aliki

Jennifer Gonzales

Jennifer Gonzales
skidato.blogspot.com

Jennifer Gonzales is a Michigander turned Texan and is loving it. She became enchanted with photography at the tender age of six. Someone gave her a dollar store pixie camera with a flash stick. Santa had also brought her dog that year, and she used up all the film (and the flash stick) immediately by taking pictures of him. All the photos came back with a red cast to them and most came back totally black. But one turned out (still tinted red) where Jennifer had done a portrait of her dog and she had caught the fleeting expression on his face that she loved best. She still cherishes that photo.

Jen's photo "Patiently Waiting" is featured on page 55 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book.“I love animals, I love photography, I love helping others. This project ties all three together, in a way that speaks to the heart on all levels. It is an absolute honor to be involved in Paws for Charity.” - Jen

Kerry Ould

Kerry Ould
SilverLiningPhoto.ca

Kerry Ould is a formally trained artist who majored in Fine Art at the University of Guelph. Fortunate enough to combine her passion for animals with her passion for photography, Kerry has been capturing images of pets and the people who love them for the past 6 years. When she's not taking photos, Kerry is usually out riding her horse Poppy. She currently shares her Oakville home with 2 cats.

Kerry's photo "Faithful Friends" is featured on page 23 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book. This image is also available on our high quality blank greeting cards, and can be purchased through the Paws For Charity Etsy Shop at this link. If you'd like to see a couple of other pics from Kerry's photo shoot of these adorable pups, go to this link at Kerry's blog.

"I am a believer in the healing power of animals. In many cases, it is our animals that lend us the courage to conquer seemingly impossible situations so it is only fitting that images of these wonderful creatures are helping to fight cancer. I am honoured to be part of this project and hope that the images in this book help make a difference. " - Kerry

Heather T.

Heather T.
heathertimagery.blogspot.com

A bit about Heather in her own words..."Born and raised in the small Northeastern State of Vermont, I am a friend, a child and lover of God; a devoted wife and mother to three boys and a school bus driver. I long to share with others what my eyes can see through photography and what my heart can feel through the words I write. "

Heather's photo "Bonded For Life" is featured on page 22 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book. This image is also available for purchase on high quality blank greeting cards through our Etsy Shop at this link.

"My mother's life was miraculously changed when she began fighting breast cancer in August of 2003. For five years, I witnessed her strength's and struggle's as she lived with cancer and in August of 2008, she left this world smiling and knowing that she lived life to her fullest ability, giving with every bit of who she was and that her final destination awaited her. So many family members and friends have battled cancer in different forms and with this opportunity, I am able to help them fight it." - Heather

Tanya Brown

Tanya Brown
TanyaBrownPortfolio.com

Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tanya Brown has been painting and drawing for over thirty years. Formerly a pencil portrait artist, Tanya made a leap from traditional media to digital illustration 4 years ago. Whether using paint and canvas, or stylus and tablet, her style has always been ultra realism. She is currently running her own art studio, creating hand-painted portraits of beloved pets for her clients

"Sadie" is one of two portraits featured on page 32 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book.
"I was thrilled when Sara contacted me! I lost my father to cancer when I was only nine. I inherited his artistic talent and now have the opportunity to use that same talent to help others. Truly a full-circle moment for me.” - Tanya

Amanda Degard

Amanda Degard
AmandaDegard.com

Amanda Degard found her passion for photography when she was a senior in high school. While attending Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, Amanda shared her talent with Expo, the student run magazine, and enjoyed a photojournalism class.

Today Amanda enjoys shooting for fun; one of her favorite models is her three-year-old Boston Terrier, Buehrle.

"Tug Time" is featured on page 59 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book.
“Cancer has affected my family and friends in different ways and it feels good to be able to give back.” - Amanda

Nancy Schutt

Nancy Schutt
GoodDogArt.com

Check out The Dog Song, featuring Nancy's artwork, on YouTube at this link.

Nancy Schutt holds a BFA from Colorado State University and an MFA from the University of Oregon, with a specialization in printmaking. Nancy has been a courtroom artist, a drawing instructor, and a General Contractor. She now lives in Seattle, WA and works in a studio she built in her backyard. Nancy was featured on the PBS special Pets: Part of the Family, hosted by Gary Burghoff (Radar from M*A*S*H), and KING5 television's Evening Magazine. She has been featured in Seattle Magazine (Seattle's Best Bets), City Dog magazine, and Dog's Life magazine in Australia.

"Sweet Potato" is featured on page 4 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book. Nancy also generously donated several greeting cards featuring 6 different images to help raise additional funds for our cause. Her greeting cards are available in our Etsy Shop at this link.
“For a composition to work it must not only capture the essence of the subject, but also be arresting, harmonic, and emotional. There is no formula, each painting has it’s own unique solutions. If it ends up being a tribute to dogs, well, they deserve it.” - Nancy

Debbie Virgin Shook

Debbie Virgin Shook
squeakdogphoto.com

Debbie Virgin Shook is a pet photographer in Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois.

To say she is an animal lover is an understatement. While living in Brooklyn many years ago, a cockroach decided to become her roommate. She's often been told she was "crazy" for putting him in a cup and giving him his freedom back on the streets of NY. In other words, she loves all creatures (although admits she is skittish when it comes to snakes in the wild...)!

Debbie and her husband Jon are the proud parents of two dogs, Blondie & Madison The dogs are their children, and through this relationship they know the remarkable bond that exists between pets and their people.

Debbie's photo "Payton" is one of two photos featured on page 13 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book. You can purchase blank 5 x 7 inch greeting cards with Payton's photo in our Paws For Charity Etsy Shop. (love that tongue!)
"I am honored to be part of this project for many reasons. I lost my Father and two Grandparents to cancer, so I take any chance I can get to help raise funds for cancer awareness, research, and a cure. I've also known so many pets who have lost their lives to cancer, so I feel that a cure for humans will certainly lead to a cure for animals. My hope is that the 2010 Art Book Project will be another big piece in solving the cancer puzzle." - Debbie

Anne Witton

Anne Witton
annewitton.org.uk

Anne Witton is based in Newcastle, UK and works full-time for the fair trade organisation, Traidcraft. She has always loved photography, but bought a DSLR when she had an opportunity to travel to Thailand with work in 2008. She captured a fascinating portfolio of pictures while she was there and Traidcraft used 2 of her coastal landscapes for cards featured in their catalogue. This kick-started a deeper fascination with photography and she has since set up an enterprise selling photographic greetings cards to raise money for charity. She hopes to develop her photographic skills further to enable her to go freelance in the future.

Anne's photograph "Paws For A Rest" is featured on page 35 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book."I am passionate about using my skills to help those less fortunate than me and so was thrilled to be invited to take part in this project. It's wonderful that such an impressive selection of images will raise money for such an important cause." - Anne

Jeni Dawson

Jeni Dawson
PawsUpPhotography.com

Jeni Dawson is a self-taught photographer serving Edmonton and surrounding area. She created her pet centric photography business Paws Up Photography in January 2009. As a pet lover herself, she truly enjoys capturing images that warm hearts and bring smiles to faces. Jeni volunteers her services to the Humane Animal Rescue Team and the Edmonton Humane Society.

Jeni's photograph entitled "Maggie" is featured on page 19 of the 2010 Paws For Charity Art Book.
"Paws For Charity clearly illustrates the true meaning and bond pets bring to our lives. I am thankful for the opportunity to share my photographs and to raise funds for the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade." - Jeni