Say Hello to my Little Friends

Opening reception Fri., April 3, 6-9 p.m., free, through April 30, Café Estelle, 444 N. Fourth St., 215-925-5080, shannonmclaughlin.net

by Carolyn Huckabay

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Published: Apr 1, 2009

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSIO

visual art

Shannon McLaughlin's got a thing for critters. "I'm not saying this is healthy in any way," says the 24-year-old mixed-media artist, "but I often find myself relating a bit more to animals than people." Letting the wonder of nature speak for itself, McLaughlin's endearing, realistic animal portraits avoid LOLhedgehog cliché; set on cross sections of trees, the caption-free animals pop atop bright colors and floating food. "Each exotic pet is surrounded by its meal du jour — from crickets to kiwi," says McLaughlin, whose furry-thing love runs deep. Ten percent of all animal-related sales on her Etsy site (youwannatalkjive.etsy.com) go toward Etsy for Animals' monthly charities, and she's working toward becoming a partner with the Pennsylvania SPCA. Plus, McLaughlin has six pets herself — a dog, three rabbits and two chinchillas. "I'm always surrounded by critters, which is why they tend to seep into my work naturally."

 

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