Animal-loving art collectors can now get their hands on ‘Van Donkey’ artwork painted by real miniature donkeys.
An adorable group of three-foot donkeys have taken up painting as part of their well-being job.
The donkeys are part of the Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing social enterprise in Norwich, Norfolk, visiting care homes, schools and prisons to help improve people’s well-being.
The business had been struggling to make ends meet until team leader Linda White had a Monet-making idea.
The sponsorship and merchandising coordinator from Norwich said: “The donkeys all loved it and the activity allowed their different personalities to shine through.
“One of our cheekiest donkeys, Pixie was making lots of noise to let us know she wanted to have a go, and Bo Peep, one of our shyer donks really got into it.
“They all seemed to get a lot out of the experience.”
She stole the idea from an aquarium she visited in the US.
She said: “They had sea lions who were painting with the aid of trainers – I bought one of the artworks as a souvenir, brought it home and had it framed.
“Alongside the artwork was information on the sea lion and I really like the concept.
“I thought it was about time we tried to do some painting with the donkeys.”
Linda has so far hosted two art sessions with the small hooved animals, using canvasses and non-toxic paint.
She puts the extra-long paintbrushes in their mouths and then allows the donkeys to express their inner artist.
She also uses their snouts and hooves for different effects, creating abstract arrangements of colours and shapes, sometimes with a piece of hay added by the donkeys for texture.
As well as their newfound love of painting, the donkeys very much enjoy a spa day, where they get shampooed and have their hooves trimmed.
The art is now available at minidonks.org.uk.
Linda said: “We are always keen to meet people who can support us to keep delivering the incredible and important work we do.”
