Animal-loving art collectors can now get their hands on 'Van Donkey' artwork painted by real miniature donkeys.<br /><br />An adorable group of three-foot donkeys have taken up painting as part of their well-being job.<br /><br />The donkeys are part of the Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing social enterprise in Norwich, Norfolk, visiting care homes, schools and prisons to help improve people's well-being.<br /><br />The business had been struggling to make ends meet until team leader Linda White had a Monet-making idea.<br /><br />The sponsorship and merchandising coordinator from Norwich said: "The donkeys all loved it and the activity allowed their different personalities to shine through. <br /><br />“One of our cheekiest donkeys, Pixie was making lots of noise to let us know she wanted to have a go, and Bo Peep, one of our shyer donks really got into it. <br /><br />"They all seemed to get a lot out of the experience.” <br /><br />She stole the idea from an aquarium she visited in the US.<br /><br />She said: "They had sea lions who were painting with the aid of trainers – I bought one of the artworks as a souvenir, brought it home and had it framed. <br /><br />“Alongside the artwork was information on the sea lion and I really like the concept.<br /><br />"I thought it was about time we tried to do some painting with the donkeys.”<br /><br />Linda has so far hosted two art sessions with the small hooved animals, using canvasses and non-toxic paint.<br /><br />She puts the extra-long paintbrushes in their mouths and then allows the donkeys to express their inner artist.<br /><br />She also uses their snouts and hooves for different effects, creating abstract arrangements of colours and shapes, sometimes with a piece of hay added by the donkeys for texture. <br /><br />As well as their newfound love of painting, the donkeys very much enjoy a spa day, where they get shampooed and have their hooves trimmed. <br /><br />The art is now available at minidonks.org.uk.<br /><br />Linda said: "We are always keen to meet people who can support us to keep delivering the incredible and important work we do."
