Horse Portrait, by Kathleen Beesley.
Hello bloggers 
As you probably know by now I'm organizing a HUGE charity Art Auction here in Abu Dhabi. With all the moneys going to Strays Of Abu Dhabi (SAD), an animal rescue charity here. Each artist is working on an animal painting, with our theme being 'The Animal Lovers Auction'. I will be showing samples of their work over the coming weeks........................
This week I woke up to discover I had 32 talented Artists all offering to donate one of their paintings to our cause! http://apps.facebook.com/causes/388344/93770468?m=71bb3202 What a wonderful thing that is indeed!
I think one of the issues for strays here is really the heat and lack of water. Many have been abandoned over the recession period in the summer heat. And it's so intense, it's very hard to describe. The best description I've heard is walking into a steam baths! 
But, anyway, I'd like to introduce to you KATHLEEN BEESLEY. A wonderfully talented equine and animal artists, living here in Abu Dhabi. She is also a Strays Of Abu Dhabi (straysofabudhabi.com) volunteer/organizer and one of a team of foster-mums for so many lucky doggies. By fostering one or more dogs into her own home, it really helps to rehabilitate and retrain a dog who needs that extra home help.
Moo and Daisy, each looking for a new home.
Kathleen is currently fostering these bouncy two brothers and sisters. I wonder if she's had any little accidents yet? 
Anyway, enough of my waffling. Since her art really speaks for itself:
'As a child Kathleen loved painting and drawing, however, she chose the academic root for much of her life. She met her husband at university and life took her in a direction far removed from the world of art. Her return to painting and drawing was the result of a happy accident. He daughter loved horses and one day, to please her daughter, Kathleen did a pastel drawing of one of the horses at the nearby stables. Her daughter was delighted, and Kathleen felt ecouraged by what she had achieved - so encouraged that she continued to paint and draw.'
'In 2006 she joined the Equine Art Guild, which is an international organisation for artists specialising in Equine subjects. http://www.equineartists.com/?artist=KathleenBeesley Since coming to Abu Dhabi, Kathleen has been commissioned to paint portraits of Arabian horses for their owners, some of which have become collectors of her work. As an artists she is also extremely versatile, working in acrylic, oils and pastels'
Horse Portrait, by Kathleen Beesley.
As a result of her volunteer work for SAD, she has painted a number of pet portraits of dogs and cats which have been auctioned at the SAD Ball to raise money for the organisation. In addition, she has undertaken a project of painting one portrait a week for the next 52 weeks in order to raise money and awareness for the Strays of Abu Dhabi and the work that they do. In 2009 Kathleen also became a member of the Canine Art Guild which is an international organisation for artists who specialise in canine subjects.
I'll be showcasing our artists over the coming weeks, in no particular order, in the run up to our Grand Charity Auction in April 2010. We will be exhibiting all our finished paintings prior to the auction at a premier hotel here in Abu Dhabi.
We have a real eclectic mix of contemporary/abstract/traditional artworks, to appeal to all kinds of collectors. I've also combined exhibiting artists, with fresh new artists.
So, if you are living locally, you will have the chance to bid on a unique painting with only a nominal reserve price. It is a unique opportunity for anyone who loves art in any style!
As soon as I have our auction date, I'll post it here. 
C U soon, Laurel. And don't forget, wherever you are, you can join our cause on facebook, and just help us by jumping aboard as a member!
View me Jazz Singing and playing my Saxophone at my Tedx performance this April in Abu Dhabi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az_YF_Qocfw
My Art at www.moorethanart.com
For your Art enquires questions@moorethanart.com (All art sent with tracking and insurance via TNT in a postal tube).
