When I heard this most unusual love story,
I was champing at the bit to draw!
~ Jan Jennings
Mousetrap, the Kitty that Stole a Soldier’s Heart
I had been in the Portrait Apprentice Program with World Class Master Portrait Artist Sandra Angelo for a year when she began to share touching stories about soldiers and pets in the war zone. Sandra was writing an art book with step by step colored pencil and graphite lessons to raise funds for Nowzad.com, a charity that reunites soldiers with pets they've adopted in the war zone.
Well, my portraits are all about family stories, so when Sandra Angelo showed me a charming photo of the kitty Mousetrap, and shared the soldier's sweet love story, I was champing at the bit to draw! I feel so honored that my art was published in the new book - How To Draw Kitties & Soldiers Who Love Them!
A most unusual love story...
By Sgt. Gordon
I was stationed at FOB Sharana, Afghanistan for almost six months, and shortly after my arrival, I noticed a cat lurking in the shadows around my living area. I’d put food out every night for the elusive kitty and by morning, all the treats were gone.
Several months went by and I still hadn't met her face to face. It's like she was sizing me up and putting me through tests. Then one day, I was sitting in my room, when Mousetrap sauntered through my open door and pretty much moved in. Friendly as could be, she won me over instantly; it was love at first sight.
Mousetrap is an intuitive girl and in the dangerous war zone, she had a keen sense of impending danger that caused her to disappear sometimes. She would resurface near our work area, where Indian friends were always cooking. Food was her magnet!
Despite all the chaos of everyday life in a war zone, Mousetrap managed to put smiles on our faces, making all the soldiers feel a little bit closer to home.
You can see from many of her photos, that Mousetrap was always gunning for a nice massage, and her soft purrs were very comforting. I really dreaded the day when I’d have orders to ship out and leave her to fend for herself.
Finally the day arrived and we started tearing down wooden structures around our compound. Mousetrap's numerous safe havens were now gone, so she disappeared. I hadn’t seen her in a few days and I was worried.
This little kitty had stolen my heart and I was going to do everything in my power to get her back to my home in Indiana, where she would be a house cat without a worry in the world. Read more...
Click here to buy the book tells the rest of Mousetrap's love story. Plus you will learn the Master's art tips that taught me how to draw this charming cat with graphite and colored pencils.
100% of the profits go toward raising funds to reunite kitties like Mousetrap and the soldier who loves her.
If you'd like to commission a portrait that tells one of your family's stories click here for details re my commission process:
I feel honored to be able to give my talents so that soldiers who fight for us can be comforted by the kitties and dogs they rescued, and continue living with their buddies when they come home from battle.
I hope you will support this worthy cause Nowzad.com by buying www.HowToDrawKitties.com so you can learn to draw. Or you can give this book as a Christmas present to a budding artist in your family.
I was champing at the bit to draw!
~ Jan Jennings
Mousetrap, the Kitty that Stole a Soldier’s Heart
I had been in the Portrait Apprentice Program with World Class Master Portrait Artist Sandra Angelo for a year when she began to share touching stories about soldiers and pets in the war zone. Sandra was writing an art book with step by step colored pencil and graphite lessons to raise funds for Nowzad.com, a charity that reunites soldiers with pets they've adopted in the war zone.
Well, my portraits are all about family stories, so when Sandra Angelo showed me a charming photo of the kitty Mousetrap, and shared the soldier's sweet love story, I was champing at the bit to draw! I feel so honored that my art was published in the new book - How To Draw Kitties & Soldiers Who Love Them!
A most unusual love story...
By Sgt. Gordon
I was stationed at FOB Sharana, Afghanistan for almost six months, and shortly after my arrival, I noticed a cat lurking in the shadows around my living area. I’d put food out every night for the elusive kitty and by morning, all the treats were gone.
Several months went by and I still hadn't met her face to face. It's like she was sizing me up and putting me through tests. Then one day, I was sitting in my room, when Mousetrap sauntered through my open door and pretty much moved in. Friendly as could be, she won me over instantly; it was love at first sight.
Mousetrap is an intuitive girl and in the dangerous war zone, she had a keen sense of impending danger that caused her to disappear sometimes. She would resurface near our work area, where Indian friends were always cooking. Food was her magnet!
Despite all the chaos of everyday life in a war zone, Mousetrap managed to put smiles on our faces, making all the soldiers feel a little bit closer to home.
You can see from many of her photos, that Mousetrap was always gunning for a nice massage, and her soft purrs were very comforting. I really dreaded the day when I’d have orders to ship out and leave her to fend for herself.
Finally the day arrived and we started tearing down wooden structures around our compound. Mousetrap's numerous safe havens were now gone, so she disappeared. I hadn’t seen her in a few days and I was worried.
This little kitty had stolen my heart and I was going to do everything in my power to get her back to my home in Indiana, where she would be a house cat without a worry in the world. Read more...
Click here to buy the book tells the rest of Mousetrap's love story. Plus you will learn the Master's art tips that taught me how to draw this charming cat with graphite and colored pencils.
100% of the profits go toward raising funds to reunite kitties like Mousetrap and the soldier who loves her.
If you'd like to commission a portrait that tells one of your family's stories click here for details re my commission process:
I feel honored to be able to give my talents so that soldiers who fight for us can be comforted by the kitties and dogs they rescued, and continue living with their buddies when they come home from battle.
I hope you will support this worthy cause Nowzad.com by buying www.HowToDrawKitties.com so you can learn to draw. Or you can give this book as a Christmas present to a budding artist in your family.