TurtleKiss.com Fine art by Kira Ayn Varszegi (and Koopa)

 

FAQ

What kind of turtle is Koopa?
He's a gulf coast box turtle, the largest of the American box turtles.

Is painting safe for Koopa?
Painting is safe for Koopa and he has created over 827 paintings without incident over the course of his 5 year career.  I would never put Koopa in a dangerous situation.  I am a well-informed, educated turtle owner and I know that Koopa was never subject to any harm or stress when painting.  Koopa has been acclimated to being rinsed off in the shower and he is fully trusting of me.  Precautions were taken to make sure he didn't prolapse in the paint.  There is nothing about the process that I have second thoughts about.

HOWEVER...

We do not condone that anyone try to use their turtles to paint, hence the disclaimer.  It is NOT SAFE to paint with the majority of turtles.   They might pull into their shells when afraid, get paint into their eyes, nose or mouth, or prolapse.  If not handled properly, this could easily lead to respiratory infections, blindness, and even death. I have researched paints, done months of "dry runs" with Koopa, raised Koopa in a tank-free environment, and given him years of special attention and eye contact to the point where we have developed a very special and unique relationship.  Koopa and I are very fond of each other!   I realize that some people will no doubt disregard the disclaimer and put their own turtles at risk, but I strongly believe that the good we do for turtle rescue far outweighs the bad.  There is no way any disclaimer is going to prevent idiots from attempting to duplicate whatever stunts intrigue them.

Why don't you offer videos of the painting process?
Still photos take up much less hard drive space than videos do, plus the resolution is much better in the event that we offer prints.

Has Koopa received any publicity?
Yes!  Koopa has appeared in newspapers and magazines, on local and international TV, radio, and countless websites.   Koopa's artworks currently sell for over 700% more than they did his first year.

Which charities do you support?
As of November '06 we are no longer able to contribute to turtle rescue financially.  We are proud to have been able to donate roughly $12,000 to turtle rescue in the first 3.5 years. I had to have an emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder. I don't have medical insurance and the hospital bills have added up to over $18,000. For that reason we have had to temporarily cease donations.

How are your paintings shipped?
Stretched and unframed with love and care (ready to hang).  Each painting is sealed in a waterproof bag, then carefully packaged between layers of cardboard.   Each is sent insured with delivery confirmation via USPS Priority Mail to anywhere in the US.

Does Koopa do commissioned work?
Not as of April 2008.

Are Koopa's paintings available off Ebay?
If you see a painting you like on turtlekiss.com but not on Ebay, it might still be available for purchase.  Send me an e-mail to find out.  Off-Ebay purchases must be paid for via PayPal or money order within 7 days of the agreement to purchase.

What is your refund policy on fine art?
I don't offer refunds on art unless the post office is responsible for damage.  Packaging and shipping these paintings can get quite expensive, so please ask any questions and view the photos and details carefully before purchasing your artwork.  Most buyers report that the paintings look much nicer in person.

Can I use one of your  paintings on my web page?
Sure, but please link back to us.

How long will it take for me to get my order?
TurtleKiss fine art will be shipped from Connecticut within 72 hours of purchase. It will usually take anywhere from 2-4 days to receive your order (within the US), depending on where you live and the quickness of the postal system.  Custom orders will take more time.  Books and gift items purchased through other retailers supported on this site (such as Amazon) will have their own shipping estimates.

Do you deliver to international countries?
Yes.  Please inquire about shipping costs before bidding.  Please note that certain paintings will be too large to ship overseas.  We will not ship via surface mail.  All paintings shipped internationally will be shipped via USPS Global Priority Mail.

I occasionally recieve hostile e-mails from kooky animal "advocates," convinced that Koopa is being abused, so the following is my canned response:

Koopa is 25+ years old and was originally taken from the wild, which is why a chunk of his shell is missing in the front (likely a wild animal attack).  He has no shell rot.  His 2 former owners did not give him a proper diet or UV lighting, and his claws grew very long and crooked.  He received improper care for at least 15 years before I brought him home.  He is no longer a candidate to be returned to the wild.  I'm not the person who took Koopa out of the wild; I just took him in and gave him a better home.  If he was returned to the wild now he would get probably get killed while trying to play with cars. 

I continue to get emails from people who tell me to trim Koopa's beak.  It has been trimmed by his vet several times and it always looks pretty much the same so I don't know what to tell you other than it doesn't impair the way he eats, and his vet says it's fine. I can certainly appreciate any legitimate "concerns" about turtles but Koopa receives a the best care possible and he is very happy.  It may not be a "normal" arrangement that we have, but it works for us.

Do you have a question? E-mail me!