For as long as I can remember I've always had a love for all animals. I grew up in a family of hunters and never could bring myself to go on one of the hunting trips.  I would instead go hiking with my camera capturing the beauty of the sites.   As a child I was always bringing home strays that I just knew I had to help. This continued into my teen years rescuing a seagull that had been hit by a car and trapped on a bridge, into my 20s when I rescued a duck in downtown Portland Oregon from the highway.  Sure it would be hit  by a car as it could not fly, I raced across lanes of traffic to capture it under a blanket, bring it
home and keep it in my bathtub until I could take it to the bird sanctuary  the following week.   I've always felt that every living thing deserves a chance and the compassion and care that we would want to be given.

My Mother is a professional artist and I have always had an interest in the Art industry. I  was a hobby artist during my 20s.  To make a living I had to have a "real" job.  I was a consumer service rep for Nike for several years and married in 1992.   I became a stay at home Mom in 1993 after the birth of our son Cole.  For gifts for family and friends  I started creating again- Painting, fused glass and ceramics.  I entered several art shows and showed my work in several galleries in Central Oregon and the Oregon coast.   In 2005 after hurricane Katrina I was compelled to help in some way with all of the animals that had been displaced from the disaster.  That was the first time I auctioned off some of my art to help in pet rescue.  At this time I started doing pet portraits and found it to be a revenue for rescue groups. 

I volunteer for several local pet rescue groups and continue to donate much of my artwork to animal welfare causes.   WindChills story captured my heart in Middle February opening up another door into equine needs.  We must take a stand and speak for those that do not have a voice.  Together, we can make a difference.

 I currently show in Pacific City Fine Art Gallery on the Oregon coast and paint full time.  I am a professional artist and have been published in a national magazine and have won several art shows.  I enjoy traveling and have visited Cambodia, China, Italy, France, Mexico, Spain, Vietnam and Raindance.  

I am owned by two bulldog brothers Doc and Wyatt, Buzz our senior manx, James Bond our tortoise, and Ruby Lucille a rescued persian from a cattery that was closed down.
You can read more about me on my website:

ttp://web.mac.com/deborahsprague/ART/DeborahSprague.html

Gallery for WindChill:http://web.mac.com/deborahsprague/DocWyatt/Horses.html