Drawing Dog Portraits for the American Cancer Society’s Bark for Life
There are hundreds of public service ads and commercials asking for donations to 9-11, Katrina, the tsunami and tornado victims, to orphaned children, abandoned pets, and more. Especially in this economy it’s difficult to always give cash, but many of us have special talents, so we can contribute in our own way.
Seven years ago I approached the American Cancer Society and offered to sketch pets at their Bark for Life, charging $20 a sketch and donating all the money collected to them. Each year since I’ve organized a group of illustrators and cartoonists associated with the Society of Illustrators to sketch with me. We’ve donated between $700 and $1600 a year, depending on how many artists participate. This past Sunday we drew 38 dog portraits in 3 hours, raising $760 for the ACS. It was a fun time… our models don’t hold very still, but it’s so much fun.
Joan Chiverton teaches SXD 635: Quick Sketching for the Pet-Product Business and SXG 140: Storyboard Techniques Studio for Costume Design.
This is a unique and a meaningful project for American Cancer Society. Bark for Life reflects that you are always heard and we care. CONGRATULATIONS. May this project be continued year after year. All my prayers with you guys.