Home > PB Upd8 > Archives > 2008 > February > 21 > Entry
Newspaper Artist Illustrates ‘Yiddish’
Occasionally we get a call here at the newspaper from someone inviting us to cover a dog wedding. (Our editors would want me to tell you at this juncture that this is outside the parameters of our coverage!)
Then there are the “Blessing of the Animals” events at the Palm Beach houses of worship, which we cover annually.
But I’ve yet to be invited to a “bark mitzvah,” although Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe, a winter resident of Lake Worth, insists in Yiddish for Dog & Cat Lovers that these do exist.
I heard about Wolfe’s book from Sheila Quatro, sales assistant in our advertising department. Turns out Sheila, well-known here for her multitude of skills, had at least one skill I was unaware of — that of illustrator. Her drawings accent the pages of Yiddish.
Sheila says she’s been sketching pets for almost 15 years, and drawing for more than 20.
“One day my friend gave me a calendar with puppies and I saw this one puppy that was so cute, I wondered if I could draw it and I did,” she said. “I have never taken any drawing classes. I ‘found out’ that I could draw in high school when I decided to draw a cheetah. Then I started with hockey players — Detroit Red Wings — and the rest is history, I guess.”
Sheila met Wolfe through last year’s Worth Avenue Association Pet Parade. The ‘08 event is Saturday, March 8. For more details, click here: Pet Parade
“I couldn’t believe someone wanted my art for a book,” Sheila said. “It was so exciting to actually see my art in print.”
Though the current Quatro household census does not include any pets, Sheila says her animal of choice would be a beagle. “My family always had beagles while I was growing up … I would love to get another one someday.”
In the meantime, she is surrounded by a lovely menagerie of sketched pets.
“I sketch anything,” she told me. “I love a challenge. The more details, the more exciting it is to draw. Drawing is very therapeutic. It has gotten me through some tough times in my life.”
Illustrations by Sheila Quatro. Daily News photo of Sheila by Ruth Cincotta.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Events, Newspapering, People
Comments
By John Penn
February 21, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
A question from the back of the class…. do those bark-mitzvah dogs get circumcised first?
By Diana
February 22, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Sheila is an AMAZING artist….and person!!! She is going places! She is my inspiration to keep on keepin on till you get where you want to be in life!! Never give up! If you got talent, pursue it!!!!! Yay Sheila you’re the best!!
By morgan
February 22, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Sheila, Would love to see a Yorkie in a yamica!
By Joanna Laishley
February 22, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Watch out… Sheila is very dangerous when armed with a pencil and a piece of paper!! She did a sketch for me and I was blown away by it. As Ben Franklin said “Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade”
By Hanna
February 22, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis Est! Keep doin whatcha doin girl!
By Michele
February 25, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
I wholeheartedly agree with Diana’s comments. Sheila is a wonderful artist and I think she should pursue her dreams! But even more important, she is such a nice person! She is a very giving and caring person and she is always doing thoughtful things for her co-workers.
By leta Barnes
February 26, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
I agree with Michele. YOu are always there if someone needs help and with a smile on your face. I know all your dreams will come true.
By Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe
March 1, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
To order MARJORIE gOTTLIEB WOLFE’s book, “Yiddish for Dog & Cat Lovers,” she may be reached at this address: 101 Lake Pine Circle, Cl Greenacres, FL 33463 Call: 56l-967-4457 $13 (plus $3.50 postage/handling)
By Joyce
March 3, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Marjorie — Thanks for letting us know how to order your book.
I join my colleagues in hoping all of Sheila’s dreams come true. Am I totally selfish, though, in hoping that can happen after 5 p.m. weekdays?!