Portraits for K-9 Officers

My name is Deanna Nash, and I have been a Fine Artist for more than 35 years.  A selection of my work is available for viewing at DeannaNash.com .  
Art has supported my family and enriched my life.  As an Artist, I live a simple life, and my means are limited, still….the need to show my appreciation, and give back to a community I love, has compelled me to make a difference.  I have donated my time and art to organizations including the John T. Holzum Foundation, the Missouri Botanical Gardens , the USO of Missouri , the Arthritis Foundation , and many other public and private individuals too numerous to mention here.

The story begins in 2015 when I was commissioned to paint K-9 Officer “Sari” (featured above) of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for her partner Lt. Jim Lansing. It was such an honor! Officer Lansing’s reaction was both humbling and uplifting. I was so intrigued by what I learned about the relationship between Officer and Canine Officer that this idea was born!

Portraits for K-9 Officers!

Last year (2016) I decided to start in my own backyard by showing my heartfelt appreciation to the St. Louis County Police Department Canine Units. I began with, recently departed, K9 Zar and K9 Lass, pictured below.    
These portraits quickly became a passion.

Finding time between my commissioned works and teaching I am determined to paint one a month. I have so far completed, framed, and delivered 5 Pastel
Portraits For K-9 Officers. The 6th one, K-9 Shug,  is ready to be delivered on April 11th.  My original thought was to frame only the memorial (passed and retired) portraits.  However, it disturbed me that the other officers would then have to spend their money on framing.  My intention is to celebrate the contributions of these officers and their K-9s. These gifted portraits had to be complete and completely FREE to them.

My planned paintings and some subsequent sculptures should take me well into November of this year and your contributions will help make that possible.

I am also continually aware of other deserving K9 Officers (passed, retired, or active) and my list of potential subjects grows….and with it my expenses.

I’ve determined that my current expenses for these Portraits for K-9 Officers is $4,640.00.

Quality supplies and frames are huge chunk of my budget.  A single stick of Soft Pastel can cost on average from $5 to $7.  A sheet of Fine Sanded Paper can run approximately $8 to $10 each.  Then there is archival backing board and mattes, acid free mounting tape, hangers, screws, wires, frames, glass, brass name plates, and assembly.  That is for Pastel Portraits.  I am also doing Oil and Acylic canvas paintings, as well as, sculpting busts….each with their own specific material costs.

The value of the St. Louis County Police Canine Units should not be underrated.  ”The Canine Unit is staffed by police officers who handle 11 canines.  The canines are available on a 24-hour basis to assist with searching for evidence, tracking suspects, locating missing persons and seeking hidden explosives and narcotics.  Canine Officers play an important role in both solving and preventing crimes”.

I share this, in this particular forum because, just maybe, like me, you too are looking for a way to give back or share your gratitude.

I invite you to join me in this endeavor to show our pride and thankfulness for the protection and service our Police Officers (both two and four legged) provide!

I will post plenty of updates and photos of the works in progress and the K-9 Units in training, as well as, their stories and their finished Portraits. 

In addition, any monies above my goal of $4,640.00 will allow me to branch out beyond my own little corner of the world to include additional counties in both Missouri and Illinois.   I will also donate 20% above my goal to P.A.W.STOPPERS - an organization “Supporting, assisting, and funding police K9s and the communities they protect.” Please go to pawstoppersinc.com and see what they are all about!

Thank you for helping me thank them!

Looking Forward!

Deanna