Just a Buck, Change Their Luck™ Campaign Fundraiser

A Historical Retrospect

Fall 2007 campaign (U.S. and Canada)

$1,405,564 (USD) Raised to support U.S. groups

$112,540 (CAD) Raised to support Canadian groups

This campaign featured the artwork of Georg Williams entitled "Man's Best Friends ".  Williams grew up in Houma, an oilfield boomtown in southern Louisiana. He began painting at a young age and selling his portraits when he was 15.  Following a tour in the army, Williams studied art at Nicholls State University and later opened galleries in Houma and New Orleans and taught art classes. As an instructor, he stressed that “art cannot be handed over by teachers but must be found by the students themselves.”  After years of commissioned photo realism portraits, Williams has returned to the simpler, and more animated caricatured style of his youth. With great success, he has been able to pursue his passion full time and enjoys the delight his clients get from his work.

Spring 2007 campaign (Canada only)

$111,586 (CAD) Raised to support Canadian groups

This campaign featured the artwork "Love of a Lifetime" created by Frank Harris. Harris has been painting and illustrating for over 20 years.  His illustrations have been commissioned by many publications including Harvard Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine, The Westinghouse Corporation and, of course, PetSmart Charities.  A graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, his vibrant artwork juxtaposes subjects, colors and backgrounds creating an image that grabs the audience’s attention.  Frank works in two very different styles that can be seen at his website: www.frankharris.com.  He accepts private commissions as well.

Fall 2006 campaign (U.S. and Canada)

$1,237,926 (USD) Raised to support U.S. groups

$82,211 (CAD) Raised to support Canadian groups

This campaign featured the artwork “Precious Rescues” created by Judy Fleenor . The work depicts actual rescued pets, Desiree and Jimmy, from The Seal Beach Animal Shelter in California. After discovering the joy of creating larger-than-life artwork, Fleenor of Huntington Beach, CA, made a career out of it. Fleenor and friend, Kinda Hibrawi, founded mypopart.com to create personalized and affordable artwork. Fleenor and Hibrawi also use their talents to raise money and awareness for the millions of animals that are neglected and abandoned each year. Fleenor uses people’s favorite photographs of their animals, family or friends and digitally paints one-of-a-kind pieces. Fleenor’s style runs the gamut from contemporary Andy Warhol to Vintage Shabby Chic.

Spring 2006 campaign (U.S. and Canada)

$1,229,530 (USD) Raised to support U.S. groups

$86,156 (CAD) Raised to support Canadian groups

This campaign featured the artwork “Country Dog, City Cat ” created by Gregg Valley.  A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Valley ’s work is created digitally with a technique that he calls “faceting”. He takes each shape and cuts it up into many smaller shapes which are then individually colored. This unique style lends itself to a wide variety of national clients, including McDonalds, Pepsi and National Geographic. Gregg currently lives in McMurray, Pennsylvania with his wife, Cathie, sons Zak and Jake, cat Athena, iguana Iggy, parakeets Paul and Ringo and lots of fish and other assorted creatures.