Spacious pastures, clean shelters and the open skies greet rescued animals when they come to Joplin's. The dahlia beds provide ample bouquets which are sold as fundraisers for this non-profit shelter. Click on this photo to go to the sanctuary's website. You may make contributions there.
Our intrepid little drawing group packed up our supplies (including cookies to munch on as we drove) and traveled to Joplin's Sanctuary & Animal Rescue in order to see the operation and sketch some of the animals dwelling there. After an inspiring tour, we were ready to position a bench so that we could try our hand at sketching some furry, moving subjects.
One of our members made sit-upons for us to use when we draw while out in the elements. They've been used in gardens, on beach fronts, and now: on a farm. We three tucked ourselves onto this bench for our sketching session.
We posed the question: who should we draw? The rescued goats, now very friendly and well-fed? The newcomer chickens found by the highway in a cast-off cardboard box? The duck who had survived several brutal attacks by humans, now in the TLC of Byron and his crew? We opted for the goats and the duck ("Quasimodo," affectionately called Quasi).
Quasi's distorted neck doesn't keep him from quacking a friendly greeting while approaching people, including us.
Goats are especially cute from the rear! They challenged us as they do not stand still for more than a couple of seconds. Two of us did pages filled with gestural sketches. I added some digital color to mine in Photoshop.
Founder Byron Wilkes gives Quasi a chance to be eye-to-eye with the gentle, curious goats. The popularity of goat milk products has led some entrepreneurs to keep large herds in unhealthy, restrictive conditions with inadequate vet care. Joplin's currently has two pastures with shelters for goats.
Jocelyn Curry 
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