Putting the “Tee” in Talent

Meet Karen Holt, designer of The Homeward Pet Open logo

On August 27, 2021, Homeward Pet Adoption Center will hold the first Homeward Pet Open at Redmond Ridge Golf Course.  To celebrate the inception of this event, we wanted to have a special and unique logo created.  We knew who to ask immediately to take on the project: Homeward Pet volunteer and whiteboard artist, Karen Holt.

Karen started doing the whiteboard art here at Homeward Pet a few years ago because she heard that the whiteboards were going to be taken down because they weren’t being used.  She did her first drawing that day as a bit of a joke to show that the whiteboards did have value.  She then started doing weekly drawings, which attracted more attention as she went. She did them quietly during her Dog Feeder Cleaner shifts on Tuesday mornings. So, for most, the whiteboard art became this magical bit of joy that appeared out of nowhere each week.

Karen has been a volunteer here since 2006 and has done everything from walking dogs, to cleaning kennels, to fostering, to sorting laundry, to silent auction and rummage sale help. Her favorite task, however, is all the little things she does on her shifts to make the world extra special for our pups.  She’ll sit quietly with one who needs company to eat, or arrange toys thoughtfully for a dog who needs to learn how to play, or simply talk to the ones that just need to hear a reassuring voice. She truly is an example of the charitable heart that many of our volunteers gift us with every single day.

Karen’s first dog as a child was a 10 day old Chihuahua that her family saved from uncertain circumstances.  Karen helped to bottle-feed little Pepper, who not only survived but thrived in her young care. Karen is a Homeward Pet adoption alumnus multiple times over.  Her father adopted two dogs, Baker and Lil Girl from Homeward Pet, and she adopted Louie and Gypsy.

Karen spent most of her professional career as a graphic artist for Boeing, doing all of her artwork in pen and ink. She has since moved into digital artwork for most graphics. Whiteboard art, she says, is actually one of the more challenging mediums she’s worked in.

Art and animals have always been a part of her spirit.  She won a contest at age four with a drawing she did of cats. In her adulthood, she has kept busy doing artwork for a number of non-profits and small organizations, designing t-shirts, logos and posters.  We are truly blessed that she lends her talent to Homeward Pet as well.

Our events team had reached out to her for the Fur Ball to create the one of a kind artwork that was behind our hosts, Jim and Fred, during our Fur Ball livestream.

With our upcoming Golf Open on the horizon, we knew exactly who to approach for a unique logo!  She did not disappoint.  Her inspiration for this logo was, of course, the Woodinville Bassett Hound mascot which she seemingly effortlessly transformed into an athletic golf pro for our event.

We are thrilled to be able to have this very custom logo which incorporates so many of the elements that will make our upcoming golf tournament shine.

If you are interested in putting together a foursome for this event, you can find out more on our registration website.

Is golf not really your thing?  We have multiple opportunities for sponsorship.

Some of Karen’s Fun Whiteboard Artwork.  Consider volunteering or adopting for a chance to see her most recent artwork in person.