One of the really nice things about the Fins, Feathers and Fur Exhibit at the Pacific Art League (besides the soulful art) is that many of the exhibiting artists have chosen to donate 10% from the sale of their work to the Peninsula Humane Society / SPCA!

On hand at Friday night’s opening reception were two of their friendly volunteers and Swiss, a very cute and totally adoptable puppy! Here he is happily flaked out after so much adoring attention.

This show was juried by Bradley Platz of Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco. He spoke at the reception but sadly before I had arrived.

1st place was awarded to this striking sculpture, Cougar, made from recycled tires by Blake McFarland. The photo does not show how the great texture and personality in this work, for that, see the artist’s website – I’ve provided links on all the artist’s names where available.

2nd place went to Maura Carta for her oil painting Rabbit.

3rd place was awarded to Denise Howard for her flawless colored pencil drawing What Is It?.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to Elaine Heron for her photograph, Sled Dog Guarding her Pups in Greenland.

This abstract drawing which I failed to get a name or title on.

And to David Fleming’s oil painting, Wayward Bus.

There were three artists from the Los Gatos Museums Gallery with work in this show, Carol Rafferty with her oil painting, Two Cows.

Ed Lucey with his oil painting, I See You.

And myself with my oil painting, Strawberry Demitasse Trio.

It was fascinating to see all the different takes on animals, from the realistically observational, the whimsical, the symbolic and the political / environmental.

Janice Wong’s oil painting, Spring Hill Way Series – Autumn.

Jean-Marc Brugeilles’ oil painting, The Stool and the Rabbit.

Diana Lee‘s scratchboard drawing Guess What.

John Haynes watercolor painting, Which Brush?

Skye Becker-Yamakawa and her Big Cat acrylic paintings (left), Tulio Flores‘s found object sculpture, Morph (center) and Jeffery Anthony Baylon’s manipulated photographs on metal, Bottled 1 and 2 (right).

Jenifer Renzel‘s assemblage, Walking Stick.