this is kind of a dual purpose inspiration post today… bernie is an artist. art wise, i think is she is probably best known for her atc book called: Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap. it’s a great book for people to learn how to create atcs, how to swap them and also is full of some great technique ideas that can be used for more than just atc sized art.
however, as wonderful as bernie’s artwork is, it’s not her artwork that is my inspiration post today. it is bernie’s humanitarian and devoted work with the rescue and re-habilitation of animals that brings that warm, inspired glow to my heart.
bernie is the devoted soul behind a no-kill animal rescue called a place to bark. she tirelessly and compassionately saves dogs and cats from certain death in the pounds of southern state where she lives. she has seen the desperation and fear in the eyes of pets that people have simply abandoned to an almost certain death sentence, and wishes she could do more than she already does. she has rescued over 500 animals since her campaign against animal cruelty and euthanisation began, and would have saved even more if her resuce could hold more animals than it already does.
she has plucked diseased and broken [in body and spirit] dogs from their cells in the pound, giving them a 2nd [sometimes 1st] chance at a new life with people who will love and care for them. she has saved animals from death with simple, treatable ailments that owners couldn’t be bothered to deal with. she has seen more death and senseless cruelty that anyone should ever have to and she still soliders on, rescuing as many defenseless animals as her shelter can handle.
today… bernie is in a competition sponsored by 6 Degrees for a $50,000 grant towards her much needed, and severely under funded animal shelter. how can you help her? here’s how…
How It Works:
The four charity badges with the most unique donations through America’s Giving Challenge will get $50,000 for their cause. America’s Giving Challenge runs until January 31st.
Donate:
If you are able donate , please donate via the badge a $10 tax deductible donation. We need the most people possible to each donate $10 to A Place to Bark. In order to win the grant we need to have the most amount of donors, not necessarily the amount of money donated.
It gets better!
All donations made to A Place to Bark’s Six Degrees Badge, will be matched by the "Zoline Foundation" up to $25,000.00!!! All donations up to June 1st will be counted for the matching donation from the Zoline Foundation. It’s a win-win!
About A Place to Bark:
"A Place to Bark" is a private no kill rescue run solely by Bernie Berlin. All animals come from high kill shelters in the south and are on death row. Combining health care, rehabilitation, and working with animal welfare organizations A Place to Bark provides a true no kill vision. Registered 501c3 non-profit. Visit A Place to Bark’s web site.
how can you not be inspired by such a courageous and selfless woman? she is truly amazing and i thank her for inspiring me to be a better person, a better pet guardian and better advocate for the prevention of cruelty towards animals.
been a busy and productive weekend arty-wise. i finished a bunch of new 8×8 canvasses and just finished listing them on etsy. i really like these and have tweaked my usual style a bit with the addition of vertical design elements. i like the effect and will continue to experiment with these ideas in the future.
