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Animal Welfare is important to S & E Black, the authors of the Dark Fantasy Series THE CHIMERA SNARE & Founders of Clay Urn Publishing. Together, they have 11 cats, 7 of which are rescues, and have rescued and rehomed an additional 7*.
The Great Kitten Rescue
Most of the action happened in the summer of 2019, in what the author duo refers to as "The Great Kitten (and Cat) Rescue," where Shannon stepped in to rescue the kittens from a cat colony by her work. She contacted Feral Change for help, and while they were at capacity to help with the kittens, they were able to help assist TNR the colony, which Shannon's employer, Associated Services, helped sponsor. The experience helped Shannon and Edward reaffirm the importance of supporting local animal rescues.
The Idea
Shannon's goal is to combine her love for art with the desire to help support independent animal rescue groups. The idea of handmade art prints came about, and after brainstorming the pieces to offer and assessing their replicability, she had a plan: To donate 50% of the sales from her handmade art prints to a featured charity for the month.
The Materials
- Big Stamping Large Print stamps: The Sigil of The Chimera Snare, the sword trio, and individual swords were sourced from Big Stamping in Spain.
- Premium Watercolor Paper
- Lindy’s Gang Sprays
- Acrylic UV Sealant
The Process
After layering black ink, the paper gets shimmer-spritzed with a selection of Lindy’s Stamp Gang Stardust and Glitz sprays. Once dry, the paper is sealed with three coats of UV fixative. After the curing time, the paper is then stamped and left to dry for 4-5 days—necessary because of the UV sealant. Once dry, there are two final coats of UV sealant, and each unique piece is ready. Creating a single art print takes about one week. It’s worth the time because each print is beautifully unique.
"Helping save the lives of cats is the good that my husband and I are putting back into the world. I want to continue to help the like-minded efforts of ethical animal rescue organizations that share the same passion for saving lives and giving animals a second chance," says Shannon.
Shannon's handmade art prints will be available to purchase online at Clay Urn Publishing's webstore and during in-person events. At in-person events, patrons can name their price over asking, and 100% of the overage will be donated to the currently featured animal rescue. More details to come soon as the first few rounds of art prints are being prepped for their release party, where a special 100% of all art print sales will be donated to Save-A-Pet, one of the nation's oldest, true no-kill animal shelters.
Afternotes:
*Of the kittens that were rescued in 2019, one, named Usagi, sadly developed FIP before life-saving drugs were available to treat the condition. She crossed the rainbow bridge but was loved and cared for every step of the way.
Both Edward and Shannon have her paw prints as tattoos- different designs created by the talented Matteo Sisti of Eluveitie. At that time, Matteo was working in tattoo sessions throughout the tour. The tattoos were done before the show in Oakland, CA, in 2019.
Supporting local animal rescues is crucial for several reasons. These organizations provide essential care and rehabilitation for abandoned, abused, or neglected animals, giving them a second chance at life. They also help control the pet population through spaying and neutering programs, reducing the number of homeless animals. Local animal rescues often work to educate the community about responsible pet ownership, fostering a compassionate attitude toward animals. By supporting ethical animal rescues, individuals contribute to the well-being of their community and the overall improvement of animal welfare.