"Sheena" by Becky Millinger $350

Artist Statement: "I began painting full time in 2006 when I first moved to Ste. Genevieve and became acquainted with the National Tiger Sanctuary in Bloomsdale. I was so impressed after meeting the tigers that I began painting them and donating proceeds of my sales to the Sanctuary. My love for cats began earlier than I have memory, but I am amazed at how much tigers are like my own house cats. They are smart, funny and always thinking. I try to capture the essence of who the tigers are in my work: their beauty, their independence, and their individuality. I am drawn to the work that NTS is doing because I believe it is wrong to exploit these magnificent animals. Backyard ownership of large cats is often misguided in the thinking that the tigers are being "saved". I have many painting interests, but painting the tigers is my joy. This painting is of Sheena, a 9 year old tiger who was recently rescued from a puppy mill in Springfield, Missouri. Sheena has been declawed and her health was very poor when she came to the sanctuary. I hope that my work will help people see that tigers don't make good pets and suffer when we try to make them so." Created in Watercolor & Gouache by Artist Becky Millinger of St Genevieve, MO