Like many significant artists of our time, Winkelhimer Smith the painting squirrel's career is rooted in tragedy. After being attacked by a cat in May, she was saved by a Louisiana artist and nursed back to health.
As if the stars themselves had planned it, Winkelhimer somehow picked up the artistic spirit of her new owner, who goes by the name “Ugly Shyla.” Now, Winkelhimer delights the masses with her original works of art, which are coaxed into being by a paintbrush placed daintily between her front paws.
“She’s a natural,” Shyla told affiliate KPLC. “She’s really good at manipulating the paint brush with her good front leg and mouth.”
Check out Winkelhimer in action:
Naturally, being an adorable creature doing something adorable, Winkelhimer has become a YouTube star, and Shyla says the “little diva squirrel” loves the attention.
Some of Winkelhimer’s paintings have fetched up to $40 at auction, which makes her a legitimate artist.
If you aren’t lucky enough to own a Winkelhimer original, you can replicate the effect by placing a paintbrush between your front teeth and gnawing on it vigorously while shaking your head around.
However, you are unlikely to fetch $40 for your work because you, sadly, are not a painting squirrel.
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