Dog Art Today

Author: Moira McLaughlin

  • Telling Tails

    Some dog science that might come in handy for dog artists: when a dog is happy his tail wags more to the right, when he’s fearful, more to the left. Learn more about this left brain/right brain phenomenon in today’s New York Times article by Sandra Blakeslee. My dog, Darby, is getting his teeth cleaned. When he comes home, we’ll conduct our own experiment. Let me know if it’s true with your pup.

    Dogtails

    4.26.07 Update: When Darby was at the vet, very upset, his tail curled hard to the left and only wagged a little. When we got home and he ran to the door, his tail wagged hard to the right. We have confirmed the above referenced findings.

  • In Memory of Abby

    Back in March, when I started this blog, artist Linda O’Neill was the first person to email me encouraging words. It meant a lot. I visited her Abby Creek Studios online and learned she was talented pet painter and the owner of a gorgeous rescue dog named Abby. Since then, I’ve featured her on my site and she’s become a faithful reader and welcome commenter. This meant more than a lot. I was remiss in not reciprocating. Then, yesterday, I visited her blog and learned of Abby’s passing. She had been ailing and then, it was time to say good-bye.

    Linda, I am so sorry for your loss and I am inspired by your ability to start painting again while your heart is heavy. I love the Abby artwork you share with your readers on your blog, and I’m posting some pieces here in honor of your beloved dog…your muse and your friend.

    Abby as ringbearer at Linda’s wedding.
    Abbylinda2000

    Made by 5-year-old neighbor Julia Saltz. The smile is perfect!
    Abbybyjulia_4

    A digital painting by Linda made several years ago.
    Myangel

  • Cami Johnson: Max(imum) Exposure

    Photographer Cami Johnson has taken thousands of dog pictures, but her best model might be her own dog, Max (pictured below.) “She’s a real ham in front of the camera,” says Cami. “She will sit still until she hears the film rewind, at which point she will accept her treat and walk away.” Images of Max have been published in Boston Magazine, Town and Country, and Urban Dog Magazine. She was also featured on a line of greeting cards by Marcel Schurman. Maybe you’re dog’s not so poised, but if you live in the Boston area, you can arrange a photography session with Cami and her old school camera – film not digital.

    Oldyellersrevenge_1941_23766422

    See more of Cami’s work at Old Yeller’s Revenge. Cami’s photography also graces the pages of a canine cookbook, Throw Me a Bone, written by Sally Sampson and Cooper Gillespie. Unfortunately, it seems like it might be time for all of us to start cooking for our dogs.

  • Happy Earth Day: Why Not Write An Email?

    Last night, I attended the brilliant Off The Wall 3 art opening. Since 2004, founder Peter Schulberg has been turning used billboard vinyl into stretched “canvases” for artists to use. To date, he has diverted 2 tons and over 15,000 square feet of PCV vinyl from the waste stream. This year, he mounted an exciting new component, a drive-by companion art show. Full-scale original paintings on actual billboards will be up for public viewing throughout Los Angeles for the next month. On a single day 250,000 people will view these works. By comparison, the Getty attracts 4000 visitors daily.

    Gallery_night4_2

    Two of the most talked about pieces (of course) featured dogs; Dawn Von Flue’s evocative “The Tower”

    The_tower2_2

    and LeeAnn Goya’s “Chillin’” (at least I think this is a dog.) 4.26.07 (Update from the artist: she’s not sure what this creature is either. She tells people it’s more of an energy, but she didn’t seem to mind me referring to it as a dog. Its name is Poquitos.)

    Chillincrop_3

    Both capture essential parts of L.A. life in completely different terms. Actually, the whole show reflected this dynamic and made it an exciting experience.

    Schulberg has plans (with the help of the billboard companies CBS Outdoor and Van Wagner) to display recycled art year round across the city. He’s also working on an eco-logical art and green vendor event and organizing weekend “eco-inventor” workshops for kids. You can help him continue his non-profit creative contribution to a greener planet by sending him emails of enthusiasm or (for any deep-pocketed corporate-types) sponsoring the display of an original billboard.

    Also, I must congratulate my friends graffiti artist Kyle Thomas, who had two super-cool pieces in the show and was interviewed for a documentary about the Eco-logicalArt Gallery, and James Panozzo (who told me and I told Kyle about the show in the first place) whose Lawrence Asher Gallery had an wonderful show of large scale abstract works by Philippa Blair and Steve Hampton last night. Turn out was great at both spots — hope you guys made some sales.

  • Ron Burns: Pop Star

    Ronburns

    Sky magazine calls his style “Andy Warhol meets Matisse.” I don’t disagree, but another apt description for Ron Burns’s work might be “Man meets dog.” For, as Burns states, “Brilliant, saturated colors are the only ways I can begin to capture what each of us experiences with the dog and cats that nurture us.” Anyone with a pet knows that euphoric feeling, and knows Burns has somehow captured it with acrylics. Now that his work has become “extremely collectable” it might be time to invest. If that’s not in your budget, dress up your coffees table with his gorgeous book The Dogs of Ron Burns.

  • Brooke Bradford Churchill: Doodle-rific

    Wheatonterrier

    Colored pencils always seem like the least interesting option to me when it comes to arty endeavors — the pale, bland alternative to magic markers, paint and even paper. But Brooke Bradford Churchill’s “Dog Days of Summer” make me reevaluate my bias. These dogs are spectacular! Got to go find my pencils…

    Yellowlab2_2

  • Dog Art is Hot $$$

    Foxhounds

    John Emms 1898 oil “New Forest Foxhounds” sells at auction for $842,250 and sets new world record for dog themed art. Read about the sizzling Dog Art market in Brook Mason’s Los Angeles Times article.

  • Stephen Huneck: Dog Bless

    Sallyball

    Wood carver Stephen Huneck started out as an antique furniture picker. That experience gave him an eye for good design and a love for woodworking. But, it was an accidental fall and subsequent two-month coma that inspired him to create his series of woodcuts of his Black Lab, Sally. Starting with “Life is a Ball,” Stephen carved out a name for himself as a premiere dog artist and New England celebrity. Visit his site to see more of his life-affirming work and learn about his visionary Dog Chapel, “A place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond they have with their dogs.” Amen!

  • Picasso & Lump

    Picassolump

    In 1957, renowned war photographer, David Douglas Duncan, took his camera and his Dachshund, Lump (Rascal in German), to shoot his favorite new subject, Pablo Picasso. Upon arrival at Picasso’s Villa Californie, Lump made himself at home and stayed for six years. There, he sat beside the famously private artist as he worked, found his way into 44 paintings, and became “the only dog Picasso took in his arms.” Relish Lump’s fabulous life in Duncan’s wonderful book
    Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund’s Odyssey

  • Karen Howell: Never Assume…

    1.) That a gifted artist has been taught by experts.
    2.) That a passionate Corgi painter owns a Corgi.
    3.) That a dog’s face must be seen in a perfect pet portrait.

    Witness “Cereal Killer” by self-taught painter Karen Howell, Cocker Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owner, of Hesperia, CA. To see more of her wonderful work visit her Pembroke Welsh Corgi Art Gift Store.

    Cereal