Category Archives: An Unlikely Artist

Help Napster Help Japan

Purchase a copy of "Bird Bath" and donate to Japanese relief efforts

By Sarah Ryeland

Napster loves Sideroads of Muskoka and he also loves the people of Japan. That’s why this season he’s created a custom painting for Sideroads, dedicated to the people and pets affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

This painting is called Bird Bath, and was created on March 14 with the help of Nancy Tapley and Sarah Ryeland.

If you look closely, you’ll see a dark lake, with bluebirds splashing and playing in the water. Above the water, there are birds soaring into the sky, playfully diving and twirling.

To us, this painting represents hope and a fresh start. It reminds us of birds returning to Muskoka in the spring, rebuilding their nests and lives and strengthening bonds.

The people of Japan need our help to find hope and rebuild their homes and lives. If you’d like to help Napster help the people of Japan, you can purchase a copy of this painting with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross for Japanese relief efforts.

Cards and prints range in cost from $3 to $40, and you can even mix and match to get your favourite Napster pieces.

Contact Napster via email at ntapley@vianet.ca, or visit his blog here.

An Unlikely Artist

For more photos, click here

How one talented cat is making a difference

Story and photo by Sarah Ryeland

Meet Napster.

He is mysterious and aloof. He has struggled with his weight. He loves to paint. And he’s a cat.

Napster’s life story has all the typical trials and tribulations you’d expect from an artist. Born to a wild mother 12 years ago in Bobcaygeon, the kitten was soon abandoned and left to fend for himself until someone scooped him up and brought him to Muskoka…

What happened to Napster?