About
the Artist
The Puppy Sketches was started in 1999 by artist Christine
J. Head. Although her background is in traditional fine arts,
Christine works primarily as a fine art multimedia/digital
artist. Her work is done on the computer using a special pen
and tablet. Special software programs enable virtual media
such as pastel, watercolor, oils, pencil, the list is endless.
The final print, or edition of prints, is done on high quality,
UV protected canvas or watercolor paper. The results are beautiful,
see the testimonials to see what
customers are saying.
Christine has loved art since kindergarten & loved to
draw pictures rather than pay attention. She always wanted
to be a veterinarian but found out most animals made her sneeze.
So later Christine studied fine arts at Western Michigan University
but somehow ended up working in marketing for a large corporation
out of college (it was kindergarten all over again).
Five years later, her company moved, and when Christine
couldn't go along, there was an opportunity to reflect on
her career choice. She started drawing and sketching again,
and dabbling with digital art. By this time, she had discovered
some good drugs to control allergies, and immediately celebrated
by getting two Boxers, Stu & Scully. They inspired her
current subject matter, as well as reminded her where her
heart really was.
She began to learn more about pet rescue, and while deadlines
and office politics were no longer a problem, her eyes were
opened to a whole different mess - millions of domestic animals
being put to death each year. It felt good to take up a cause,
and she jumped right in, trying to help a local all-breed
rescue. It didn't go so smooth, Christine had a lot to learn,
and felt much like a puppy being chastised for chewing a shoe
because that's what they thought they were supposed to do.
Instead of trying to educate her, the rescue sort of shunned
her. But alas, she wasn't giving up that easily.
Her husband suggested that she focus on one breed, the boxer
of course. She got to know some boxer enthusiasts and together
they formed their own rescue. Christine learned about, among
other things, early spay/neuter programs & soon developed
good relationships with local shelters and other rescues.
Many dogs came through the house, each one an adventure, teaching
patience and tolerance. One of those was Pearl, of "Taking
Care of Pearl." Christine wrote the story and did
the portrait to raise money for her own rescue, and the real
idea behind "The Puppy Sketches" was born.
Now different rescues from all over the country tell their
stories. And from each "Rescue Print" sold, 50%
of proceeds go to the organization responsible for rescuing
the Star of the portrait.
Christine lives with her husband Corbett, two boxers
Stu & Scully, and a pug, "little man" Henry.
They recently moved to Southern California. In the past 5
years, her husband's career has taken them from Michigan to
Georgia to Massachusetts, and now California. But The
Puppy Sketches has stayed right here!
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