A Statement from the Artist

A message from Cheryl Miller, founder of 46 Million Turkeys:

While earning my B.A. in art at Hunter College in New York, I became interested in animal rights after reading Animal Liberation by Peter Singer. Often regarded as the bible of the animal rights movement, this book profoundly influenced my perspective, shaping not only my worldview but also my creative voice.

At the time, traditional art instruction emphasized the human figure—primarily nudes—or still life as the hallmarks of serious subject matter. Animals, by contrast, were often dismissed as sentimental or relegated to wildlife art. Reluctantly, I followed convention, painting nudes and still lifes that felt devoid of soul and emotion. Even after college, I continued attending life drawing sessions, searching for a deeper connection in my work.

That connection finally revealed itself in 1998 when I began working as an educator at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY. There, I found a way to merge my art with my passion for animal advocacy. One turkey, in particular, changed everything. Her name was Blueberry. At first glance, she seemed indistinguishable from the other rescued white turkeys living at the sanctuary. But as I spent time with her—truly observing—I recognized her distinct personality and undeniable individuality.

Every November, the sanctuary hosts a Holiday Celebration for the Turkeys, where low tables are set with plates of squash, greens, cranberries, and pumpkin pie for the birds to enjoy. That Thanksgiving at the sanctuary in 1998 remains the most memorable of my life.

Inspired by that experience, I began a personal tradition to shift the holiday’s focus: painting a turkey portrait each Thanksgiving as a tribute to these living, sentient beings.

Over time, this practice evolved into a larger artistic mission. In 2013, I launched 46 Million Turkeys, a community-driven project with the goal of visually representing the estimated 46 million turkeys consumed in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day. The project invites people of all ages, artistic skill levels, and perspectives to contribute a turkey portrait. To date, thousands of individuals have participated with each of the one-of-a-kind representations of a turkey as unique as the person who created it.

Through this work, I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for these remarkable, often overlooked, animals—one portrait, one story, and one connection at a time.