Conversations with Amber LeFever Soboleski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber LeFever Soboleski.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve wanted to be an artist ever since I was little and I grew up with tons of animals, so it makes sense that the two passions collided. The majority of the painting I do is of peoples’ pets and I’m honored to be trusted to capture their loved ones, especially if they have passed. Being a professional artist isn’t entirely a traditional career, but most of my life isn’t traditional.

In the summer of 2022, I took in a stray cat who turned out to be mostly blind, semi-feral, and a real weirdo. My husband and I made the choice to keep him and he lives in our second bathroom (by choice). Over the years, he has learned to make friends with other cats, explore a bit, and even began purring a few months ago. In the summer of 2024, I started my own nonprofit for unadoptable cats called Us, Too Animal Sanctuary.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being an artist is an unpredictable career. There are months that are so slow that I struggle to cover the bills, and other months where I am so busy I can hardly keep up. The monthly expense for each kitty, excluding vet bills, is just shy of $50. It’s easy to fill the sanctuary to capacity with homeless and discarded cats, it’s harder to find donations to support them.

We have a sponsorship program for the residents, but only three (of over 30) are sponsored. The public loves to see success stories and cats getting saved. It is far less glamorous to ask for donations of litter and paper plates.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an artist, I am known primarily for pet portraits. I create both traditional paintings on canvas and thread paintings. I spent a few years as an artist assistant to world-renowned fiber artist, which is where I learned to thread paint using a sewing machine. Essentially, the process is similar to free-motion sewing done by quilters. I use fabric and carefully integrated stitches to develop images from pets, to people, to flowers. The skill of thread painting took years to learn and I am very proud of the work I produce.

I depend primarily on my work as an artist to provide for my sanctuary. I pour a lot of effort into each piece and every single one helps save animals.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Toledo has a lot of animal lovers and rescue groups. Amazing things happen when efforts are pooled together. Our community also has many caretakers of community cats and feral colonies. These caretakers (and rescuers) pull from their own pockets and time for the sake of the animals.

It is unfortunate that so many people have a stigma regarding community cats. Those cats did not choose to be born, to be homeless, or to live a life where they are constantly at risk. They exist because they were failed by people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AmberLeFever.com
• Other: https://www.UsTooAnimalSanctuary.com