Deanna K. Harkins

Animals and nature have always held a special place in my heart and soul. I marvel at and find rest in the beauty and wonder of all nature and all creatures. It despairs me to learn that whole ecosystems and species the world over are now vulnerable, threatened or already destroyed. So I try to channel that despair into action & protection of the environment. And as a pet guardian privileged to care for many animals over the course of my life, I’ve found that their vulnerability, innocence and unconditional love also inspire a protective instinct. So I try to channel that protective instinct into supporting animals in shelters and, now, making ‘art to help animals.’ I think it all goes back to that saying that I learned from my compassionate parents as a child, “Be a voice for those that cannot speak for themselves.”

Bio:

Just to introduce myself, I am Deanna Harkins, MD, MPH. I am a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota and lived there most of my life until 1999, when I moved to Atlanta to work for an agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and then moved to Maryland in 2002 to work as a civilian for the Army. By profession and training, I am a physician who specializes in occupational and environmental medicine. My work deals primarily with determining hazards from toxic exposures and how to best prevent or reduce risks and the consequent adverse health effects.

I have been fond of nature and animals and involved in work for animals for as long as I can remember. As a youngster, I loved our family pet cat Bambi and dog Ruffles, and as a junior-high student, I volunteered one a week at my local veterinary hospital under the good Dr. James Libby at South Hyland Pet Hospital in Bloomington, Minnesota. In the early 1990s, I volunteered, along with my parents and husband, in assisting with dog-walking and seasonal 'Pet Photo with Santa' fundraisers at the Minnesota Valley Humane Society in Burnsville , Minnesota . During the years of 1997-1999, I volunteered at the 'Feline Rescue' cat shelter in St. Paul , Minnesota . I enjoyed cuddling and socializing the cats and kittens, and cleaned the shelter once a week. I also drew kitty cartoons for stationary and balloons and such for fundraisers. Recently in spring of 2005, my husband and I volunteered for our local Humane Society of Harford County in Fallston, Maryland to foster four kittens (no mom) for about two months until they were ready to be placed up for adoption (they all found forever homes!).

I have been a long-time member and financial supporter of many animal & nature organizations and charities, including the following: the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), 'Best Friends Animal Society' in Kanab, Utah; the World Wildlife Fund; Defenders of Wildlife; the Nature Conservancy; the Sierra Club; the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota; the Natural Resources Defense Council; the American Humane Association; and others.

I have always enjoyed drawing and doing art, ever since I was a child. Art was my favorite class in school. I was fond of drawing horses, cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, any animal really, and I got a wonderful sense of satisfaction from studying the animal's form and trying to capture the beauty and spirit of the animal in my art. I was especially pleased to draw my high school yearbook cover - a pen and ink drawing of a jaguar, the school mascot. However, once I decided to try to become a doctor, it was all school and studying, and, except for designing the occasional banner for a college 'campus carnival' fundraiser or funny animal cartoon for a 'home-made' birthday card, I didn't pursue my art much. However, in the past year or so, I have come back to my art to relax, to create, and to obtain a tangible sense of productivity. Now, I draw with pencil and pen and ink, and I paint with watercolors.

Initially, I thought that the only people who would be interested in my art were my husband and my parents. Then my husband, who had recently posted photocopies of my paintings at his workplace, told me that his co-worker expressed an interest in my painting of a Shetland sheepdog, and inquired about the possibility of me painting her beloved dog - maybe a small commission! That got me thinking about how I could use my art to support animals...which in turn sparked my recall of the article about the 'Artists Helping Animals' group that I had read in an old 'Best Friends' Animal Society magazine. Fortunately, I save the issues! I was very moved by the article which detailed the 'Artists Helping Animals' mission to help needy animals, as well as impressed with the artwork and compassionate generosity of the artists.

So, I summoned the courage to apply to the group, and I was delightfully surprised and honored to be accepted! I am excited now to be a "newbie" member and make art that helps animals.