You might be surprised how many animals have mastered artistic skills, from painting and photography to dance and collage. Given the opportunity, animals seem to enjoy expressing themselves through as many different mediums as we do. Here are some of the coolest examples.
Dagger DogVinci
Dagger is a Black Labrador/Golden Retriever cross that was destined to become an assistance dog for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).Because of his previous training, Dagger was used to learning how to observe and master human skills. One day, Yvonne gave him a paintbrush, and Dagger set to work creating his own art. He went on to sell more than 150 paintings and raise over $10,000 for charities. He is also trained to be a certified therapy dog for Therapy Dogs International.
Metro: The Painting Racehorse
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Top-class racehorse Metro Meteor was adopted by artist Ron Krajewski and his wife Wendy after he suffered serious knee injuries while on the racetrack. Metro was given a likely two years to live, so his owners wanted to make him as happy as possible. Ron noticed that Metro liked to bob his head up and down, and he had the idea that the horse might like to paint with a paintbrush in his mouth. Metro absolutely loved to paint.
He became the best-selling artist at Gallery 30 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and made enough money to pay for a pioneering treatment for his knee condition. He has also given other horses like himself a chance to have a better retirement, donating over $45,000 from the proceeds of his work to a charity that helps racehorses find good homes.
The Painting Elephants Of Thailand
According to the caretakers at the National Elephant Institute, in Thailand, Thai elephants are natural born artists that will often pick up a stick, and start noodling in the sand. Trained properly these pachyderms can create original artworks that rival those done by some humans. Thanks to their incredibly mobile trunk (powered by 40,000 muscles) elephants can paint better than any other animals.
Mshindi: The Painting Rhino
This talented black rhino is one of the main attractions at the Denver Zoo. Apart from being one of the gentlest most lovable animals there, Mishindi also likes to spend his spare time, painting. All he needs is a big paintbrush and someone to hold the canvas, and he just unleashes his artistic talent. In a fund-raising event, last year, Mishindi’s paintings have sold for $220, each.
Grizzler: The ‘Pho-Dog-Rapher’
An experiment by Nikon allowed a lucky dog called Grizzler to become a photographer. The camera was strapped to Grizzler’s chest and had a sensor that monitored the dog’s heart rate. When Grizzler got excited by something he was seeing, his heart rate would inevitably rise. Whenever Grizzler’s heart rate was above 119 beats per minute, it would trigger the shutter release and take a photo.
Grizzler had an eclectic portfolio to show for his efforts, including pictures of cats, other dogs, plants, and even mushrooms.
Towan: The Orangutan Artist
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Towan, a 41-year-old orangutan, from Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, was a big internet hit, back in 2008, when some of his original paintings were auctioned off, on eBay. Two of his artworks sold for close to $1,000, with the proceedings going towards organizing a zookeepers conference. All orangutans like to paint, but unlike all his other furry friends, Towan does it with a brush, instead of his tongue. He’s also much easier to deal with after he’s done painting, as he slides his tools, under his doorway, while other orangutans will desperately hold on to them.
Xiaoqiang: Painting Beluga Whales
Xiaoqiang, a talented Beluga whale, at the Qingdao Aquarium, in China, learned to paint under the guidance of his instructor, and is now one of the aquarium’s top attractions. Incredibly enough, Xiaoqiang’s paintings aren’t abstract; they usually make sense, if you look close enough.
Sammy the Painting Dog
After his owner attached a paintbrush to his favorite rubber bone, Sammy took up painting, and never looked back. Inspired by his lush surroundings, in Eastern Shore, Maryland, Sammy creates the most amazing abstract paintings, using a variety of colors. You may think this puppy’s art is a joke, but his paintings have been showcased in various New York art galleries, and some have sold for up to $1,700. Now that’s no joke.
Lea the Sea Lion
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When Jen DeGroot, marine mammologist, at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, decided to teach Lea, the sea lion, to make flipper art, she had no idea it would eventually turn into a regular phenomenon. But when people heard there was a sea lion creating artistic imprints with her flippers, everyone wanted their very own custom artwork. The aquarium saw the potential of their slippery artist and decided to charge for her art, as a way of raising money for the animals. Since then Lea and her sea lion friend Max have taken it to another level and are now masters of the paintbrush, as well.
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