Hi everyone! Life got really busy, and I've fallen behind in posting these wonderful interviews. I am so happy to feature Beth Gumnick, though. And I promise that I will try to be better about posting more often about these wonderful artists who do so much to give back. Onto this interview! Beth makes the sweetest animal paintings that I have ever seen. They are all so bright and colorful - and the expressions on each animal are so cute! I absolutely have fallen in love with her work - her spirit shines through each painting. I am also so happy that she is a fellow member of Etsy for Animals! Please read on to learn all about the wonderful things she does to make this world a better place for animals.
Please tell us what you do to give back.
I love being able to give art to local charities in order to support their fundraising efforts. I love making a difference by making art. In the past year, I have donated art to help raise funds for Etsy for Animals, Chattanooga's Humane Educational Society, McKamey Animal Shelter, Normal Park Museum Magnet School, The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Public Library, Chattanooga Cares (AIDS Education charity), and the Community Kitchen. Before that I also donated art to support the Home Place (AIDS charity), Contemporary Performing Arts of Chattanooga, Greyfest (Greyhound Rescue), the Chattanooga Zoo, Best Friends Animal Society, and the Baylor School. I am also a regular volunteer at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.
I love being able to give art to local charities in order to support their fundraising efforts. I love making a difference by making art. In the past year, I have donated art to help raise funds for Etsy for Animals, Chattanooga's Humane Educational Society, McKamey Animal Shelter, Normal Park Museum Magnet School, The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Public Library, Chattanooga Cares (AIDS Education charity), and the Community Kitchen. Before that I also donated art to support the Home Place (AIDS charity), Contemporary Performing Arts of Chattanooga, Greyfest (Greyhound Rescue), the Chattanooga Zoo, Best Friends Animal Society, and the Baylor School. I am also a regular volunteer at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.
Have you always volunteered or donated to charities? What or who inspired you to be so giving?
My parents are incredibly dedicated to giving back to the community, through their church and many charitable organizations. They are inspiring, amazing, kind, caring people, who are always giving in as many ways as they can. Through them I have learned that everything you send out comes back to you ten-fold, so in giving, we truly receive.
My parents are incredibly dedicated to giving back to the community, through their church and many charitable organizations. They are inspiring, amazing, kind, caring people, who are always giving in as many ways as they can. Through them I have learned that everything you send out comes back to you ten-fold, so in giving, we truly receive.
Speaking of inspiration, do you have any “giving mentors” today? Anyone on Etsy?I am inspired by all the Etsy for Animals folks. I am a fairly new member of the street team and need to step up my involvement in the group-- I am amazed by what Michele and El do to keep EFA going, but really everyone in the group inspires me to continue to do what I can to help animals.
How do you choose which groups/charities to devote your time and money to?
If there are animals involved, I am there. If the arts or education are involved, you got me. If my parents ask me I will do anything-both for them and for the charities they support.
If there are animals involved, I am there. If the arts or education are involved, you got me. If my parents ask me I will do anything-both for them and for the charities they support.
What are your favorite charities?
Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, is by far, my favorite animal charity. I am a sucker for dogs and cats, and Best Friends is the largest no-kill animal rescue organization in the country. Their facility is incredible too. I went out there to visit and volunteer there about six years ago, and it is a truly amazing place run by dedicated and wonderful people. I can't wait to visit again someday. My newest favorite is McKamey Animal Shelter, a new no-kill shelter opening up here in Chattanooga very soon!
Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, is by far, my favorite animal charity. I am a sucker for dogs and cats, and Best Friends is the largest no-kill animal rescue organization in the country. Their facility is incredible too. I went out there to visit and volunteer there about six years ago, and it is a truly amazing place run by dedicated and wonderful people. I can't wait to visit again someday. My newest favorite is McKamey Animal Shelter, a new no-kill shelter opening up here in Chattanooga very soon!
Giving can be contagious! What do you think is the best way to inspire others to give?Talk about the organizations you support and why they deserve support. Speak passionately about what you believe about how giving makes the world better not just for the person who receives, but also the giver. Giving can transform you. It makes you feel better - knowing that you are helping the world using your talents.
As we all know, there is always more we can do to help others. What will you be focusing on in the future?
I will be doing more to support Etsy for Animals. I only have one thing in the EFA shop right now, and I want to donate more.
I will be doing more to support Etsy for Animals. I only have one thing in the EFA shop right now, and I want to donate more.
If you had $100 and you had to spend it on someone who needed it more than you, how would you spend it?I would buy $100 worth of canned goods and give it to the community kitchen. (I know that's not an animal charity, but it sure would buy a lot of canned goods.)
Please tell us about your Etsy shop.
I paint original folk art mostly on recycled scrap wood. I do a lot of custom pet portraits, but also paint the dogs and cats who are running around (or lying on the couch) in my head. Other animals as well. And also landscapes. And hearts. And flowers. And random other things. And WORDS. Lots of words. I love words. I love to talk. Can you tell????
I paint original folk art mostly on recycled scrap wood. I do a lot of custom pet portraits, but also paint the dogs and cats who are running around (or lying on the couch) in my head. Other animals as well. And also landscapes. And hearts. And flowers. And random other things. And WORDS. Lots of words. I love words. I love to talk. Can you tell????
Please tell us anything else that you would like the world to know about you.
I will keep painting, and I will keep donating to animal charities as long as animals keep being destroyed because we are too lazy or cheap or just can't be bothered to have them spayed or neutered. If a painting of mine can help to keep an animal alive, how incredible is that?? How could I NOT do it? I have 5 rescued animals who all came from the streets because somebody else couldn't be bothered to take care of them and love them. They are my joy, and I owe it to them.
I will keep painting, and I will keep donating to animal charities as long as animals keep being destroyed because we are too lazy or cheap or just can't be bothered to have them spayed or neutered. If a painting of mine can help to keep an animal alive, how incredible is that?? How could I NOT do it? I have 5 rescued animals who all came from the streets because somebody else couldn't be bothered to take care of them and love them. They are my joy, and I owe it to them.
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