A New West artist known for painting cat and dog portraits is taking her fundraising initiative one step further.
Last year, Margaret Halsey approached the homeowner whose property backed onto a laneway south of Eighth Avenue, just west of Devoy Street. She had envisioned a “mural of dog faces” on the bare laneway fence after routinely strolling by with her black and white whippet, Smyth.
After Halsey was given the OK to work her magic, her labour of love quickly flourished into a $50-a-portrait fundraiser supporting B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs.
When the Record originally reported on the story in August, there were only 19 faces on the fence. Today, there are 39 and Halsey has already started working on second fence nearby. She’s raised $1,500 for the organization so far.
The success of the first fence prompted Halsey to put together a book of all the animals and their owners who took part in the fundraising campaign.
“So many people have been so interested in it. I thought it would be nice as a memory for each of the participants. I thought it would just be a good keepsake,” she said, noting the book will feature photos and stories about each pooch or feline. “I’m just asking them to tell me something special.”
Halsey will be charging $20 for the book, with the hope to raise another $3,500 for B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs. The second fence on Cherry Street also has room for up to 50 faces (work on that project likely won't start until the spring).
“When you raise $5,000, you get an opportunity to name a (guide dog) puppy. I want to do that for my dad. His name was Herbert, but everybody called him Bert, so the puppy’s name would be Bert,” she said. “His art was his love. His art was different than mine. He was very detailed in his work, in that he inspired me to be who I am in my art. I’d be critical of myself and he would say he’d wish he could paint like me. He thought I captured the spirit and soul of the animal in their eyes."
Since starting the painting project, Halsey said everything she’s believed about dogs and cats (and their human companions, too) has been confirmed.
“The dog and cat is such an important part of our life that a lot of us don’t ever realize. The response I’ve gotten from people walking by that don’t even have a dog, they realize this creature … is so important.”
To get in touch with Halsey, call her at 604-527-9976.
