Gifts of Art Pay the Rent for One of our Notable Members

Toronto-based artist Katherine Dolgy is taking her vibrantly colored paintings around the world—and through her relationship with SabbaticalHomes.com, will rarely pay for lodging.

Dolgy extends her art internationally by staying in the homes of academics, artists, and writers. Rather than pay the traditional monetary rental fee, Dolgy instead leaves the owner an original work of art. “I make sure to incorporate the places, people and objects that are dear to the people whose homes I visit,” explains Dolgy.

“I have built an international practice quickly, with a lot of honors, and I couldn’t have managed it without SabbaticalHomes.com. I become very attached to my temporary homes. I have spent two to 15 months in homes and the owners all have remained friends to me, keeping in touch over the years,” said Dolgy, who has been exchanging art for rent for seven years. Dolgy and her “landlords” get a feel for each other from multiple messages exchanged prior to the swap.

“People are often surprised to see objects, pets, even whole rooms appear in my paintings,” Dolgy mused. “The landlords are positive about the art which is an expression of who I am, but with a touch of who they are, too.”

by Sara Pritzkat

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