Anne Freidank has come to terms with her own art.

The Central Saanich artist spent much of her life - a great deal of it in her home country of Germany - developing her skills in a somewhat rare form, called reverse glass painting. She became an accomplished artist who had gallery shows in some of the art worldB次元官网网址檚 biggest centers and now, for someone whoB次元官网网址檇 become known as the Munich Cat-Painter before moving to Canada some 30 years ago, sheB次元官网网址檚 finally ready to let go.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 82 and I canB次元官网网址檛 take it with me,B次元官网网址� Freidank said of her collection of reverse glass paintings of scenics, saints and felines.

B次元官网网址淚 have lived with my artwork for so long,B次元官网网址� she continued, adding for years she couldnB次元官网网址檛 bear to part with much of it, even though she did make a living from the work for many years.

After coming to Canada and continuing her art for many years, Freidank said she has now turned her attention to her gardening. Her yard in Saanichton is alive with various plants. She said she eats exclusively from her own gardens, which she grows organically.

Because of this change in her life, Freidank has decided to use her artwork as a fundraising source for an organization that takes care of orphaned and injured wildlife, called Hope for Wildlife. She said sheB次元官网网址檚 supported the organization for years and had left much of her estate to them. However, she said she wants to see them enjoy the fruits of her labours sooner, rather than later. So, sheB次元官网网址檚 selling her large collection of reverse glass paintings.

It makes sense, in a way, as most of FreidankB次元官网网址檚 work is of cats. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a variety of scenes and themes to each of her work, but throughout - and in sometimes hidden corners - there are cats. Whimsical to spiritual, they take many forms in the bright, colourful art. The style of paining, Freidank pointed out, is quite labour intensive, and done backwards and in reverse to typical forms of painting. It makes them unique - and eye-catching.

And sheB次元官网网址檚 ready to give them all new homes.

From July 20 to 25, Freidank is opening her home studio by appointment to people interested in purchasing her art as part of the fundraiser. With only word of mouth about the event, she said sheB次元官网网址檚 already sold nine paintings, with a few people already interested in buying more.

She said she will give all the proceeds from the sale of her art collection to Hope for Wildlife.

To find out more, or to arrange for a preview, call Anne Freidank at 250-652-0401.