About The Artists

Returning artist Tommy Tomcat has once again loaned his considerable talents to Rude Ranch's Animal Art Program. This year he experimented with a mixed media format: catnip and paint. While he is content with his work, several other cats are trying to eat the catnip off of it.

Tommy was born to humble beginnings somewhere in Prince Georges County, Maryland in 1998, Tommy grew up to be a tough talking cat of action. He did a stint at Andrews Air Force Base, followed by several months at a "house of ill repute". He enjoyed "15 minutes of fame" a couple of years ago when he was up for a slot as a Friskies Spokes Cat. He also enjoyed a brief career as a kitty condo model, but he kept falling asleep on the job.

Tommy has retired from his life of glamour to a life of questionable actions at Rude Ranch. If a brand new bag of cat or dog food suddenly has a gaping hole in it, chances are it was the work of "quick paw" Tommy. An unlocked window mysteriously opened and the screen pushed out? It was the work of Tommy the escape artist. Important papers now have additional marks and holes in them? It was Tommy the shredder. The easiest way to both call Tommy and to clean anything and everything off of the counter: run the can opener.

Beau is also a returning artist this year. Beau included more blues and purples into this year's painting as he is upset with local "pit bull" legislation. Not one to settle in a rut, Beau decided to try a different method of applying the paint to canvas this year: his tail.

Born to humble beginnings somewhere in Prince Georges County, Maryland in 2007, Beau lost touch with his parents while still a young pup. He stayed in several homes through out the area, but unfortunately, none were permanent. As a last resort he found himself tied to a tree in front of Rude Ranch Animal Rescue.

Beau did his best to learn all he could while at Rude Ranch. He had a few mishaps along the way: jumping into fish ponds, snuggling with the wrong cat, and running head first into a wall. He soon found a forever home in Annapolis and moved in with 8 cats. He's since taken up trail running and marathon training. He runs 10 - 15 miles and swims laps several times a week.

Born somewhere in Anne Arundel County, MD, Pepe, Petra, Pippa and Paula were originally turned into another animal shelter to be adopted. However, some questionable results on their blood tests put their futures in jeopardy. Not wanting to “make a decision”, the executive director of that shelter asked Rude Ranch to take the kittens.

Upon arrival, the kittens wasted no time figuring out ways to irritate and annoy the older cats, from pouncing on dangling tails to stealing food out from under the elder’s noses. One cat even tried to make a game to see how far the kittens “bounced” after she swatted them. Eventually the kittens blood tests were straightened out and they’ve moved on to “furever” homes. Before leaving the kittens combined there talents to produce this painting. This Combined Effort acrylic painting is the kitten’s first foray into the creative arts. They’ve generously donated this work to Rude Ranch Animal Rescue to raise awareness of homeless animals.

Samson had a rough start to life. He was one of eight pups born in an apartment in Glen Burnie, MD. The human owner was evicted from the apartment. However, he left the mom and pups behind, locked in a crate. It was several days before apartment maintenance people went into the apartment and found the dogs. Fortunately the mom and pups came through the ordeal without too many problems. However, no one group or person could take 9 dogs at one time. The decision was made to divide the family. Samson and his sister, Isabella were sent to Rude Ranch.

Samson did well at Rude Ranch, he quickly learned which dogs and cats liked to play. He only crashed into the wall a couple of times before he figured out not to run full speed on wooden floors.

This Self Expression acrylic painting is Samson’s first foray into the creative arts. He’s generously donated his work to Rude Ranch Animal Rescue to raise awareness of homeless animals.

Born to humble beginnings somewhere in Prince Georges County, Maryland in 1998, Tommy grew up to be a tough talking cat of action. He did a stint at Andrews Air Force Base, followed by several months at a "house of ill repute". He enjoyed "15 minutes of fame" a couple of years ago when he was up for a slot as a Friskies Spokes Cat. He also enjoyed a brief career as a kitty condo model, but he kept falling asleep on the job.

Tommy has retired from his life of glamour to a life of questionable actions at Rude Ranch. If a brand new bag of cat or dog food suddenly has a gaping hole in it, chances are it was the work of "quick paw" Tommy. An unlocked window mysteriously opened and the screen pushed out? It was the work of Tommy the escape artist. Important papers now have additional marks and holes in them? It was Tommy the shredder. The easiest way to both call Tommy and to clean anything and everything off of the counter: run the can opener.

Born in a puppy mill in Fairfax VA in April, 2006, Bunny, who prefers to use just her first name, grew up as one of several hundred dogs, she knew she had to work harder and be cuter to get noticed. Unfortunately, for Bunny and the other dogs living at the puppy mill, the owner could no longer care for them. Bunny, and several other dogs were sent to Rude Ranch Animal Rescue in hopes of finding loving homes.

Bunny's first days at Rude Ranch were very confusing for her. Although she was used to being around a lot of other cats and dogs, she'd never really lived indoors before. She also wasn't used to people, and was quite terrified of all the attention she was getting.

Marilyn was born in Phoenix, AZ in October, 2000. She was born with a neurological condition called cerebellular hyperplasia. Unable to find a home for her in Arizona, her breeder sent her to a no-kill animal sanctuary in Utah. From there Marilyn passed through a series of homes until she signed on as Rude Ranch Animal Rescue's Special Needs mascot.

Marilyn takes her duties very seriously, greeting visitors daily and making sure the other cats and dogs adhere to "The Rules".

Born to humble beginnings somewhere in Prince Georges County, Maryland in 2007, Beau lost touch with his parents while still a young pup. He stayed in several homes through out the area, but unfortunately, none were permanent. As a last resort he found himself tied to a tree in front of Rude Ranch Animal Rescue.

Beau did his best to learn all he could while at Rude Ranch. He had a few mishaps along the way: jumping into fish ponds, snuggling with the wrong cat, and running head first into a wall. He soon found a forever home in Annapolis and moved in with 8 cats. He's since taken up trail running and marathon training. He runs 10 - 15 miles and swims laps several times a week.

Stewie was one of three kittens born at Rude Ranch Animal Rescue in March, 2008, the day after their semi feral mother was left by the front door. While Stewie's siblings grew and went to their own homes, Stewie had a serious birth defect in his colon, requiring surgery.

While recuperating from the surgery to repair his colon, Stewie hooked up with several shelter 'bad boys' and was frequently set up to take the fall" while bags of treats, catnip and special food were ripped open.