‘The Dogs of Aspen’ series advantages Aspen Animal Shelter

Last winter season, The Little Nell and art professional photographer Gray Malin worked together on an image series including dogs on and around the slopes.

From the mountain vistas atop Aspen Mountain to the après-ski minutes at The Little Nell, he intended to record the alpine way of life with a pack of furry buddies equipped in winter season devices – from safety glasses to knit hats to striped headscarfs. Cast in a variety of types and sizes, the family pet visitors originated from Aspen and further afield, consisting of Dalmations, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a German shepherd, and a Frenchie, to name a few.

“The Dogs of Aspen” series was introduced on his website in January 2022 with profits from the very first year of online sales allocated for a regional recipient, the Aspen Animal Shelter – a cause dear to The Little Nell and Malin.

Malin is a Los Angeles-based fine-art professional photographer, aerial professional photographer and author. He is understood for his image collections of remote places, along with his aerial photos of different locations.

One of the images, “Chairlift Pups,” was the leading selling print for 2022 on graymalin.com. Malin is possibly best understood for his aerial photography from Australia, Italy, Brazil, Bhutan, Hawaii, and beyond.

The overall quantity contributed to the Aspen Animal Shelter was $62,000.

“When I create fine art photography series in small communities like Aspen, it’s important to me to give back,” he said. “It was evident to me prior to my shoot, walking through Aspen with my kids, that animals are such a special part of this community. I am thrilled to be able to donate to the Aspen Animal Shelter through the power of my photography. Working with local dogs on my ‘Dogs of Aspen’ project was truly an unforgettable experience.”

Seth Sachson and Bland Nesbit, co-founders of the shelter, shared their appreciation.

“Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter is ecstatic to be chosen as the beneficiary of the ‘Dogs of Aspen’ photo series,” said Sachson. “This incredibly generous contribution will help us to continue to make a difference for the animals of Aspen, Pitkin County and beyond.”

“Pet overpopulation is a critical problem in this country, with millions of dogs and cats being euthanized every year,” Nesbit said. “This has been the impetus for our robust spay/neuter program. In addition to the 23 participating vets within Colorado and beyond, we have begun to sponsor additional spay/neuter clinics, particularly in the Four Corners region where owners cannot afford veterinary services and where overpopulation and disease are prolific. With this incredibly generous gift from Gray Malin’s ‘Dogs of Aspen’ series in conjunction with The Little Nell, we will be able to fund more of these special weekend clinics, where as many as 100 animals can be neutered in one day! We are so grateful for this amazing gift.”

“The canine culture in Aspen is strong,” Sachson said. “The dogs’ status in Aspen spans from fashion accessory to hunting partner, with every role between. Needless to say, Aspen is dog, and dog is Aspen.”

Visit the Sundeck to see choose images framed and shown from the series or shop online at graymalin.com/photography/series/dogs-of-aspen.