SUN CITY – After his little maltese dog recently passed away, local artist and Sun City resident Caroll Callaway of N.36 asked himself how can he do something to help other animals. His answer was contributing to the Animal House Shelter in Huntley in a very colorful way.
After the death of his Maltese dog, Sun City artist Caroll Callaway of N.36 wanted to help other animals. His answer: host a monthly auction on his website of his work and donate half the proceeds to Animal House Shelter in Huntley.
âIt occurred to me that if I had an auction page on my website and arranged to have half the proceeds from the sale of the auction paintings go to [Animal House Shelter (AHS)] that would be a good thing to do,â Callaway said.
Callaway approached AHS with his idea and said his efforts were well-received by AHS representatives.
âThey said, âOh, that would be great,ââ Callaway said.
The partnership set, Callaway now offers one of his original oil paintings per month for auction on his website at www.carollcallaway.com Half the proceeds will benefit the dogs and cats at AHS, which is a non-profit 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter, located at 13005 Ernesti Road, in Huntley.
What: Art auction to benefit the efforts of the Animal House Shelter in Huntley.
How to bid: Visit www.carollcallaway.com and click on the AUCTION link.
Details: Fifty percent of the proceeds will benefit the Animal House Shelter in Huntley. An original Caroll Callaway oil painting will be auctioned off every month.
More info: For more information about Callawayâs classes, you may email him through his website www.carollcallaway.com
Callaway, 80, found painting, he said, about 30-35 years ago while he was practicing administrative law. At the time, he took an interest in art and read about paintings. For him, said Callaway, painting, like working as a lawyer, is matter of problem-solving.
âPainting, in a real sense, is problem-solving,â Callaway said. âYou have a problem with composition, what do you do to correct it? You have values that you have to adjust all the time. If a painting isnât working right, why isnât it working right?â
Callaway also said that he enjoys the physical act of painting itself and takes pleasure in creating something from scratch.
Callaway defines his work as impressionistic and is inspired largely by life, other impressionists, such as Robert Henri, and, most recently, Russian impressionists.
About 18 years ago, Callaway retired early from law and pursued painting full time. According to a recent inventory of his work, Callaway has completed about 140 paintings since 1999 alone.
âEverybody always asks me, âWhatâs your favorite painting?â And I always say, âThe next one,ââ Callaway said.
Originally from Iowa, Callaway grew up with a father who worked a long career with the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad. Callawayâs father hand-painted the intricate designs on their steam engines.
âItâs a special talent,â Callaway said about his fatherâs work.
Not pleased with the limited mobility of most easels, Callaway designed his own that has a full range of motion up, down, and side-to-side. He also hosts art classes for $20 per session in his home studio once a week. Whether beginners or experts, students of Callaway can look forward to instruction in composition, color harmony, aesthetic appreciation, brush technique, and values, among other aspects of the craft.
Callawayâs work can currently be seen on his website. As well, his work is on display at Milward Farrell Fine Art in Madison, Wisconsin.
