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Animals have long been artists’ muses, from their humble beginnings 40,000 years ago as Paleolithic sketches on cave walls to the brightly colored screen-printed cows seen just inside the front doors of Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum. Today, Pittsburgh artists continue to incorporate animals into their pieces in exciting ways, from new takes on traditional mediums to 3D do-it-yourself creations made to be displayed on living room walls.
Milo Berezin
Ceramics artist, Point Breeze
miloberezin.etsy.com
“As a wild kid in the woods of Alaska, I always thought I’d grow up to become an entomologist, herpetologist, or other flavor of zoologist. I ultimately followed a different path, but my love of critters of all sorts has never faded!”
Michelle Miller
Needle felt artist, North Fayette
runredrun.com
“I love animals! Who doesn’t? Plus, the texture of the wool lends itself well to furry critters.”
Ashley Cecil
Visual artist, Highland Park
ashleycecil.com
“People usually respond positively to animals. I use them as subjects in paintings that address environmental issues.”
Gina Marie Chalfant
Pottery artist, Dormont
whiteswanstudio.etsy.com
“I grew up in a family that loved and rescued animals. I love that they provide unconditional, nonjudgmental love, unless you are late with their dinner.”
Jessi Cramer
Tattoo artist, Bloomfield
Instagram.com/jcramer_tattoos
“I love drawing and tattooing birds and cats especially.”
Kirsten Ervin
Visual artist, Lawrenceville
kirstenervin.org
“I’m often struck by how often animals appear in artwork, especially the exotic and endangered species, and I’d like to challenge myself and other artists using these images to do more to protect these species from disappearing. They are a part of our imagination and work, and we can do more to make sure they stick around.”
Tristan Sopp
Cardstock paper artist, Fineview
residentdesign.com
“The complex shapes [of animals] are super fun to try to recreate in paper.”
Molly Bee
Pottery artist, East Liberty
Instagram.com/queerlyclay
“Animals have unique and quirky personalities and I like to show that I’m also a cat TNR (trap, neuter, return) advocate/trapper and have seen quite an unusual variety of cats and kittens.”
This article appears in Oct 16-22, 2019.
