Amanda Moeckel Illustration

Introducing the Rainbow Bridge pet portrait.  

Last week, my family said goodbye to Mimi, our fiesty and sweet Australian Terrier.  A traveler, an entertainer, a lover of "cookies.”  I did this painting for my dad, who was particularly close to her.  It made me happy to imagine her reuniting with her brother Axl, who passed over recently, too.  So here's my fantasy realized in paint :)  

I enjoyed painting this so much, I turned it into a style on MyAnimalArt.com.  If you'd like a Rainbow Bridge portrait of your own animals, you can order there.  Join my email list and I'll send you a 30% off code for ordering this week.  (If you're on my list already, you just got one). You can join by scrolling to the bottom of the homepage and entering your email.

Here are some detail shots:

And some process shots:

This piece won Honorable Mention at the #NJSCBWI (New Jersey Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) conference this past weekend, and I feel so lucky!  

“I will arise and go now” in watercolor, graphite and digital, 11″ x 17.″  

Thank you so much to the Jury.  Hard work is starting to pay off, and it feels awesome.  I had trouble picking myself up off the floor when the venerable David Wiesner, winner of approximately 8,000 #caldecott medals, looked at my name tag and said “Hey, I love your work!”  WHAAAT?!

An amazing conference.  I look forward to attending again next year. 

Here are some process photos. 

You can bid online on the painting I donated to one of my very favorite animal rescue organizations.  Beagle Freedom Project is having their 5th Anniversary Gala on June 4th, but the auction begins online now HERE.  

Here’s the painting and some progress shots.  If you have the means, consider supporting this groundbreaking organization that rescues laboratory dogs and finds them forever loving homes!  

This painting began with inspiration from the documentary “Behind the Bars” which showed the covert rescue of beagles from a medical testing lab in Italy.  It’s called “Stewards #1″ and it’s the first finished piece in my Stewards series, about those of us who feel a deep calling to protect animals.  Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20.  

I’m gearing up for my exhibit at the Taking Action for Animals Conference in June and trying out some new designs.  Did you rescue your pet or did your pet rescue you?  If you like this tote, you can pre-order it for 25% off at ConsiderAnimals.com.  I’m silkscreening them by hand in a small batch, so pre-ordering will ensure you snag one!  

Here are some process pics: 

This is a drawing I just finished of Teagan.  When her mom contacted me for a portrait, and told me her story, I couldn’t believe it.   She was starved and neglected, then shot at close range and left for dead in Mississippi.  Luckily, she was found, rescued by Rocky Ridge Refuge, and given a forever home.

Here's a video about her rescue story, narrated by her forever mom, Nicole, who is the Student Programs Coordinator for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

"Teagan" 8" x 10" Style: Charcoal

I appreciate you, kind sir.  Today and every day.  Though I’m not quite convinced you were human, may we all look to you to find exactly what we are here to do and MAX IT OUT.

“Rock n’ Roll Suicide” or “You’re wonderful, give me your hands.”

16″ x 20″

Thank you, animal people.  It feels good to be making art that keeps your fire burnin.’   There’s still quite a bit to check out in the ConsiderAnimals Store: tees, prints, totes, books, etc.!