Heather LaHaise was born in N.Y. and grew up in Columbia, S.C. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in art, she moved back to N.Y. and took classes at Pratt Manhattan.
I think this north/south,urban/rural cross-pollination comes through beautifully in her dog art. Traditionally painted dogs drip down her canvases or are cleverly cropped into graphic designs. I especially like her use of graffiti – as if she's still inspired (haunted?) by the gritty, dirty streets of Manhattan even as she embraces the gentility of South Carolina where she now makes her home.
This is a tricky duality to pull off, but Heather has figured it out. Her paintings don't look gimmicky or divided by it. In fact, I think the text unifies her works in a surprisingly remarkable way. I just love them.
Why dogs? Heather says, "Not only does their honesty make them perfect subjects, they lack pretension, and their only motive is to please. They make our homes comfortable and even add a lovely distressed finish to furnishings." Sweet.
Visit her website to learn more.
If you're in Charlotte, N.C. you can see Heather LaHaise's dog paintings at the Green Rice Gallery's The Dog Show until August 31, 2008.
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