Rescued dogs get portraits painted, thanks to York High teenager

From his computer screen, faces with sad little puppy-dog eyes tug at Peter Ostling's heart.

Eighteen scrapbooks carry the many photos he's saved of dogs rescued through his favored shelters.

The 16-year-old York High School student prefers tiny dogs, because they're the easiest to hold while he's sitting in his wheelchair.

Those innumerable photos provided inspiration at College of DuPage, where a painting class took on the task to focus on rescued dogs.

"One day I was looking at all of these pictures of his, and thought it would be a fun idea for our painting class to paint from them," said Peter's sister, Jocelyn, 19.

He not only provided the inspiration -- he offered up photos as well.

"He's just sweeter than sweet," teacher Jennifer Hereth said. "He comes to all the art openings and got this idea to help us out. He found the photos for us and sent them via (his sister)."

Jocelyn, a student in Hereth's painting class, focused her project on her family's own two rescued dogs -- both from Peter's favorite shelter, the Hinsdale Humane Society. The teenager, who has spina bifida, trolls the Internet daily in search of new favorite dogs.

Jocelyn's keeping her painting, but all the other pieces created by the class are being donated to those families who adopted the shelter dogs.

It's a gift, a thank you for their willingness to take a rescued animal into their life, Hereth said.

"That's part of what makes this (class) so special. No matter what we do, people take this on like any other serious portrait," she continued.

Retired photographer Lekki Chua of Roselle worked on a painting that included a female dog rescued after Hurricane Katrina. She and her other two four-legged housemates share a portrait -- one Chua created by painting with a palette knife rather than a brush.

Each of the dogs took the artist about four to five hours to complete using that method, which he said he favors over the more traditional brushes.

Students plan to deliver the paintings later this month to each of the families, and Jocelyn said they're hoping that Peter will be able to join them.

It could bring the project full circle.

"I thought it was kind of neat," Jocelyn said.

"I could get my brother involved."