JACKSON, MI – Cascades Humane Society helped Jackson resident Barbara Tye Anderson find her lost dog several years ago, so she wanted to offer her services as a way to say thank you.
She was a dog lover, so Barbara became a regular volunteer at the Jackson nonprofit, where she walked dogs, did laundry and stood in at the adoption center. Then she started to use her real talent to help homeless animals.
“Painting for the humane society came about as an accident,” Barbara said. “They invented the idea as a fundraiser.”
Barbara, 89, is known for creating watercolor paintings of pets, flowers and landscapes. She worked in commercial art for several years and regained her passion for painting in her retirement.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cascades Humane Society launched a fundraiser where residents could pay to have a portrait of their pet painted. Barbara was one of the artists.
Barbara’s work always looked professional, and something worthy of hanging on a wall, Cascades Humane Society Executive Director Heather Leszczynski said. After the fundraiser ended, her paintings were so loved by people, CHS asked Barbara to continue painting, which she was happy to do, she said.
“The paintings keep me busy,” Barbara said. “I’ll continue as long as they keep getting orders.”
Residents can pay $30 to have their pet’s portrait painted by Barbara. All the funds are donated to the CHS, and Barbara estimates she’s raised more than $2,000 for the humane society since she began.
Barbara has painted a large range of animals, between dogs, cats and even some sheep, she said.
Photos and donations are submitted to her through the Cascades Humane Society’s website. She uses the pet’s photo to make a sketch, paint the portrait and sign it with her signature, “Tye.” Once she’s finished, staff picks up the paintings and gets them to the owners.
Barbara’s main medium is watercolor, she said, since it’s simple and she can finish a portrait in a few hours. She loves painting all animals, but said she prefers receiving a clear and bright photo, so she can make sure the pets’ personalities can shine through, she said.
“Some of the animals have personality,” Barbara said. “Golden Retrievers have got a big smile on their face. Animals like that are fun.”
Pet portraits painted by Barbara Tye Anderson on Thursday, Jan. 18. Barbara is known for creating watercolor paintings of pets to raise funds for the Cascades Humane Society.Chloe Miller | CMiller@mlive.com
Doing these paintings keeps her active, Barbara said, and it’s also a way for her to give back to Cascades Humane Society in the comfort of her home, she said. The largest commission she’s had at one time is nine portraits.
People typically order the portraits because they’re more personal than just hanging up a photo of the pet, and they also make for great gifts for friends, siblings or parents, Barbara said.
Cascades Humane Society also believes it’s because the portraits help families pay tribute to their fluffy-family members.
“Barb’s really talented, and she can do more than just pets, but were glad that she’s able to do pets as well,” Leszczynski said.
While Cascades Humane Society receives most of its donations from its larger, annual fundraising events, the portraits still provide some aid to daily operations, like vaccinations, spay and neutering services, microchipping and parasite prevention, Leszczynski said.
“Whether it’s one portrait or five portraits, it all helps, and all goes back to the animals,” Leszczynski said.
Barbara began her art journey when she was young, adding she believes she always had an artistic bone in her body. She previously lived in the Chicago suburbs and studied at the American Academy of Art there, before starting her career in commercial art.
Her family moved to Jackson years later, where she worked at Jacobson’s department store for 27 years in their advertising department. It wasn’t until her retirement when she decided to take her art back from being a profession into being a passion.
She’s been busy since, between working on the pet portraits and her other watercolor paintings. Barbara’s art has previously been featured at the Jackson College Potter Center, and is currently on display at Vista Grande Villa, where she resides. When she’s not painting Barbara loves to garden.
Those interested in donating to CHS by purchasing a pet portrait from Barbara can do so through the Cascades Humane Society’s website.
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This artist’s pet paintings help provide funding to homeless animals - MLive.com
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