Turtle-Created Abstract Art Benefits Charity

Turtle-created art is sweeping the nation! Koopa is making waves, gaining popularity as the world's only known professional turtle artist. Koopa's abstract paintings hang in 28 of the 50 states, and every purchase of Koopa's art results in a donation to an organization that cares for turtles and tortoises that are sick, injured, or victims of the pet trade. Koopa's beautiful and amazing paintings are the highest quality animal-created artworks available. Koopa's artwork can be viewed at www.turtlekiss.com.

(PRWEB) April 9, 2004 -- Internationally collected abstract duo Kira and Koopa have one big surprise for collectors -- one of the duo is a turtle.

Elephants and monkeys long ago picked up the paintbrush and applied it to canvas, but the latest and greatest animal paintings are being done by a gulf coast box turtle named Koopa.

Koopa, owned by Connecticut artist Kira Varszegi, became an abstract painter himself one day when Varszegi left a palette with paint on the floor in her studio. She left to take a break and when she returned, there sat Koopa happily bathing in a sea of paint.

Varszegi quickly cleaned up Koopa and put him back on the floor in her home. After drying him off, I returned to my painting, and was just amazed at how well blended the paints on my palette were," Varszegi said. I knew I had to find a safe way for Koopa to paint and share his gift with the world."

After some searching, she found some non-toxic, washable paints that Koopa could safely transverse, creating his own mixture of colors and patterns. Untitled #1," Koopas first official painting, was just the beginning of his art career.

I wanted desperately for Koopa's work to be seen," Varszegi said, so I listed the painting on eBay to see if other people would be interested in vibrant, turtle-created art." Along with the listing she promised to donate $15 to a turtle rescue group.

The painting not only sold, but it also had five bidders who became fans of the turtle-created art.

Koopas donations total around $600 so far for organizations such as World Chelonian Trust, Turtle Homes, and Massachusetts Turtle Rescue. Koopa himself came from a rescue situation, so helping other turtles is priority for Varszegi.

Varszegi first met Koopa in a pet store. He looked miserable in his tank, barely able to turn around," she said. He also had a small chunk of his shell missing. I felt sad that this turtle had been taken from its natural habitat so some selfish person could have a new pet. It was clear to me that this box turtle was being neglected, and I wanted to be the one to give him a loving home."

Koopa now has free rein of the house. He naps under my desk with his head on the floor and his arms and legs completely stretched out," she said. Box turtles can be shy animals and often go completely into their shell and close up. But Koopa never retracts into his shell, Varszegi said. During his post-painting showers he lets me rinse him off and remove paint from his cute little arm and leg pockets."

Furry pet owners can probably relate to that level of trust Varszegi said, but with most reptiles its unheard of."

I believe that this kind of relationship is possible because of the total freedom Ive allowed Koopa to have, my respect of his personal space, and the eye contact Ive given him for as long as Ive had him."

Koopas work schedule is quite easy, Varszegi said. He currently paints about once a week, doing no more than three paintings per session."

Lisa Downey of North Carolina purchased six Koopa paintings. She was searching eBay for abstract paintings, came across the turtle art, and purchased one. Everyone went absolutely NUTS over them," Downey said. A few of my friends purchased paintings from Koopa after seeing mine."

Downey said part of the money going to turtle rescue organizations helped her make her initial purchase, but I still would've bought the paintings if that wasn't a factor."

Like Downey, Koopas customer Felicia Lyons of Iowa was looking for something unusual for her husband, one of those guys that has everything. The words turtle art" caught her eye. Naturally I was intrigued because I had never heard of such a thing and it sounded a bit crazy at first."

I was immediately obsessed with the brilliance and depth of his work," Lyons said. The intricate details and blending of colors totally overwhelmed me."

Her husband loved the work when it arrived. I immediately went back on eBay and made another purchase and another and another, and they just keep coming," she said.

She has six paintings hanging in her home. We had a party for our son and displayed Koopa's work. The response was overwhelming. Koopa has a way of touching your heart. There is nothing more fun than looking at a Koopa original again and again because each time you will see something new."

Koopa is well known in the abstract art community, but his fifteen minutes of media fame have eluded him so far. Varszegi and Koopa recently auditioned for David Lettermans Stupid Pet Tricks, but painting takes too long for the shows segment. They also contacted the Guinness Book of World Records to see if they would be interested in keeping track of a turtle trying to sell art in all 50 states. Unfortunately, Guinness said painting turtles were a little too specialized for a body of reference as general as ours."

Unique is definitely in the eye of the beholder. Koopa and Kira have brought our home to life. We are pleased to display this incredible work and will continue to do so," Lyons said. Kira is amazing and I am grateful that she is sharing her incredible Koopa with the rest of the world."

To learn more about Koopa and Kiras abstract art, go to www.turtlekiss.com.

Contact Information:

Kira Varszegi

TurtleKiss Designs

860-953-0552

Web URL: http://www.turtlekiss.com

E-mail: kira@turtlekiss.com

Online press kit: http://www.turtlekiss.com/presskit.htm

Media note: Photos available upon request

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