9-Year-Old Child Is "Selling" His Incredible Portraits To Help Shelter Animals
At just 9 years old, Pavel Abramov is turning portraits into help for shelter animals in his hometown of Arzamas, Russia. His paintings are not only detailed and impressive, they are also part of a project that gives local dogs food, supplies, and a little extra attention.
Working with his mother, Ekaterina Bolshakova, Pavel created “Kind Paintbrush” and began exchanging custom pet portraits for donations to a nearby shelter. The idea started close to home, but it has grown into something much bigger, with families, animal lovers, and even people outside Russia taking notice.
And the best part is that Pavel is still just getting started.
Along with his mother, Ekaterina Bolshakova, Pavel created a project called “Kind Paintbrush” about a year ago.
All great ideas have inspirational origin stories, of course, and Pavel's idea is no different. When Pavel's family lost one of their four-legged family members, he could no longer stand the thought of stray animals roaming the streets of his community.
In honor of the memory of Barsik, his family's beloved pet, he decided to be a part of positive change.
Pavel and his mother turned to a group on the Russian social media website VK, called “What a Little Volunteer Is Capable Of?”
The group has been a launch point for many young Russians seeking to be a part of positive change, and Pavel has been making huge ripples.
It did not take long for the idea to stand out.
Pavel doesn't have a lot of money or the support of organizations behind him. He is just an artist creating art and doing something incredible with his talent.
In exchange for clients who sign an agreement to provide "kilograms of porridge, meat, and supplies," Pavel paints a portrait of their beloved pet!
Families provide photos of their pets and share stories of how they found each other, and Pavel uses the photos and stories as inspiration.
When the paintings are finished, Pavel usually meets the families and their furry friends, and he always remembers their names.
The stories behind the pets seem to matter just as much as the portraits themselves.
It definitely inspires the young artist to hear about the pets he paints and where they came from, as many of them were rescued from the streets. It is a consistent motivation for him.
Even cooler, Pavel's efforts have definitely been noticed.
His portrait work was once sought only in the community of Arzamas City, but thanks to the nature of social media, combined with his talent and heartwarming goals, people from all across Russia have sought out his work.
Even better, his talent has now been sought from outside of Russia entirely!
Pavel's paintings have made their way to Spain and Germany, and that is far from the end of the reach of his brush in the near future.
That kind of attention is hard to ignore.
This also echoes Pavel’s goal to help, like when a little boy hugged two stray dogs.
There is only one animal shelter in Pavel's hometown of Arzamas, and currently, he is the youngest volunteer.
The shelter he volunteers for houses over 100 dogs!
So, Pavel offers his paintings in exchange for the various changing needs of the shelter and its dogs. People exchange everything from household supplies and pet accessories to food and treats.
People have brought medicine for the dogs, collars, leashes, canned food, kibble, and even toys in exchange for custom artwork of their pets.
Pavel painted this portrait of Oynx, and in exchange, his human brought 3 kg of canned dog food, 2.5 kg of oatmeal, 4 kg of pearl barley, treats for dogs, and household supplies.
This family provided 15 kg of beef trimmings!
While this family brought 15 kg of selected beef delicacies for the shelter.
Buckwheat and pearl barley are frequently offered as well.
This family brought 10 kg of beef bones!
It is a simple exchange, but it makes a real difference.
It's incredible what a determined young lad can do for his community and animals in need, isn't it?
His detailed paintings are doing great things.
In an interview with Bored Panda, Pavel's mother, Ekaterina, said:
Our family is proud of his wonderful project. His days are scheduled to the minute; he wants to do absolutely everything, but there is just not enough time.
Let us know in the comments what you think of this young one's initiative to create positive change in his community. Are there any inspiring kids in your life? We’d love to hear your stories!
Before you go, see how Jack, a disabled stray dog, cried tears of joy after love.
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