Meet Winkelhimer: The disabled squirrel with a passion for painting

Wednesday 24 Apr 2013 3:01 pm

30

Use ← → keys to

Squirrel Winkelhimer Smith loves to paint (Picture: Facebook / Winkelhimer)

While most squirrels spend their days climbing trees or roaming around in search of a nutty treat, Winkelhimer Smith likes to concentrate on more cultured activities.
The Louisiana-based squirrel has a passion for painting, with her artwork earning plaudits from admirers around the globe.
Her life wasn’t always so rosy however; back in 2011 she became disabled after a vicious stray cat attempted to eat her.
Thankfully, she was saved by the animal-loving Shyla Mouton, who adopted Winkelhimer and nursed her back to health.
Depression may have returned when the name Winkelhimer was bestowed upon her, but the squirrel has since overcome her disability and learnt to express herself through painting.
Grabbing (or nibbling) the paintbrush in her mouth, Winkelhimer spends hours every week creating the artwork which is sold on eBay for charity.
‘She mainly likes slinging the brush around,’ explained her owner. ‘Her favourite colour is yellow so she likes to use it a lot.

Pen pusher (Picture: Facebook / Winkelhimer)

‘When we got her I made my work room her home and I just squirrel-proofed everything.
‘They’re really smart about mimicking things you do, so she would watch me paint and she started to come and mess with the brushes.
‘She decided it was lots of fun and that’s how the squirrel painting started.’
Internet stardom has since followed for the animal entrepreneur who now has her very own Facebook, YouTube and Twitter account.
 


MORE: Sneezy the squirrel is nuts about trying on hats