Hi! Welcome!
I am painting 101+ miniature paintings and portraits of cats, dogs and horses. I have challenged myself, and you can join in and benefit either by throwing me the task of creating expressionist paintings of any animal you like, or by sending me photos of your favorite pets and having me paint them in my style, adding them to the at least 101 I have to paint to raise funds for the studio and artists retreat I am determined to open by the end of 2025.
![cats dogs and horses]()
Why 101 Cats, Dogs & Horses?
Just because I loved 101 Dalmatians as a child, lol. And other than dragons and fat white roosters named Ariel, I love dogs, cats and horses, probably in that order...
I am an art teacher, artist, budding filmmaker and baker of pies, and while my students call me Mrs. Davenport, I go by the artist name Kurokiku.
I am also a mother, grandmother, wife and caregiver who uses art as a way to care for myself so I can better care for others... and I know I am not the only one. I paint on paper and canvas in oils, gouache, and acrylics, and I draw in pen and pencil, and this is what I love to do.
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What is the goal?
I have been teaching, creating art, and traveling in some form for decades, as well as taking care of others, and now with our youngest having hit 18, I am raising funds for an art studio where I can share my art philosophy and create retreats for others to take a bit of time away from their lives and try the arts.
![Cat by Kurokiku]()
To that end, I am painting 101+ miniature paintings and portraits of cats, dogs and horses, and working so that the proceeds from these portraits will be enough to purchase an old house to renovate into an arts space and retreat in Ibaraki or nearby, and if we hit crazily ambitious stretch goals, it would be enough for a down payment on some acreage here in rural Colorado for additional studio art space for myself and my artsy family. We have jewelry-makers, painters, sculptors and BBQ artistes in our family, and this would be life-changing.
![The artist Kurokiku]()
And of course, we have lots of cats and dogs and other animals as well, and would be getting more. (Especially a lizard for my grandson, in particular, and some chickens for my daughter.)
Rewards
- Artwork of course!
- Live Sip and Paint online classes
And so we can reach our stretch goals:
- Large-scale wall paintings (I actually love doing those)
- Your name on our Retreat Wall and cobblestone path
- A VIP invitation to a special art retreat
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Rewards for reaching Stretch Goals will include:
- More art opportunities and rewards for everyone who has contributed. Thank you so much!
What We Need
- $175 - 112 mini canvasses and easels
- $80 - more paint and brushes
- $170 - packaging, shipping and delivery of 101 miniature paintings with mini easels
- $75 - Indiegogo fees on the total for 101 paintings
1st goal achieved!
Then if my supporters are many and inspired and we achieve our stretch goals, we can work on our studio art space:
- $19,000 - old house with yard in rural Japan
- $8,000 - Funds for travel back and forth to Japan to secure our space.
- $15,000 - funds to renovate the art space into a workable minimally-inviting space.
- $100,000 - down payment on studio land here
The Impact
If we make our target, there will be 101 beautiful expressionist portraits released into the world, and I will have met that first part of the challenge, and hopefully will be on the way to the second part, which is to acquire the art space in Japan in 2025.
Risks & Challenges
I am already painting, and already doing livestreams, teaching art online, and filming video art experiences, so the only challenge I see is that so many of you would like my paintings - or even portraits of your favorite animals - that there might be a few delays, although I am known for being a good communicator and would work with you on any moving deadlines!
Please share this campaign with other art lovers and caregivers you know!
Thank you so much!
