They say that art is universal and that it is for everyone. Our ancestors relayed their stories for thousands of years through carved drawings, paintings, sculptures, and even through architecture.
It presents so many benefits since art allows you to freely express your emotions. We typically hold back in showing our true emotions, but art will allow us to speak up.
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2884666381802478
Art is a universal language
And when we say that art is for everyone, then it literally is even for animals. It’s not very surprising nowadays to see animals doing things we thought they couldn’t, such as playing sports, talking, doing math, and of course, do art.
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2873441289591654
Get ready to meet these adorable painter rats!
The little critters from Toogood’s Tiny Paws showed everyone how talented they are after being given a canvass and some paint. Using their paws, these tiny Picassos create colorful pieces and everyone is loving it.
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2873866469549136
Steph Toogood is the creator of Tiny Paws, but she didn’t really plan any of this. The idea came around when one of her rats, Captain Jack Sparrow, passed away after his surgery. Since Steph was working at the vet, she managed to take some paw prints after poor Jack had passed away.
“I thought it would be lovely for my boys to do something similar when they were with me to keep when they’re gone, so I got some mini canvases and paint, and they’ve created memorial pieces for me to keep.”
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2880074898928293
She currently has 12 rats in the artist collective and emphasized that they were her friends first before becoming artists.
“They’re my best friends, and they will not spend their lives covered in paint, no matter how high the demand is for their art right now,” she recently posted on the Facebook page. “Some of the boys are target trained and will follow a target stick or by hand to make painting easier – we even have a miniature agility course which some of them are good at!”
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2855202881415495
Steph also elaborated that while the Tiny Paws page is primarily about the rats and their art, she also wants to promote the keeping of rats as pets and their welfare, as well as update everyone on what her pets are up to when they’re not making art.
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2682541402014978
Since sharing photos of her pets with their art online, their artworks have all sold out. She mostly sells a variety of products on Etsy such as coasters, keyrings, hair scrunchies, and more. Her Etsy page was empty before but after promising to buy more canvas, she now has tons of products to sell.
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2842839355985181
But don’t think that the rats are working hard, because Steph gives them ample time to rest. After being on a hiatus for almost three months, the rats are back to accept commissions again.
“As we are reopening tomorrow (I’m so excited!) I thought I’d update you all on art commissions as I know they are very sought after. Art commissions by the boys have always been limited so they are not painting all the time, and will never fulfill the demand for their art. I have, however, recently decided to limit their art even more. Each rat will be painting 1-2 of each art piece per month.”
https://www.facebook.com/toogoodstinypawsart/photos/2824636417805475
She also added what’s really important, saying:
“And as always, the happiness and welfare of my rats come first. They are not just artists.”
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