Category: Dog Art Posters

The Enlightened Hound Canine Wisdom Posters by Debbie Kendall

Canine Wisdom Poster No. 1

Printmaker, Debbie Kendall of The Enlightened Hound lives in Buckinghamshire, England and works in her attic studio overlooking the treetops. There, with her muse, a tenderhearted Portuguese Water Dog named Figo, she carves and prints her series of Canine Wisdom posters inspired by 19th century American typography and the secrets dogs have about living happy lives.

I think these prints so charming and cheerful. And, because they are hand-crafted, signed, and numbered each one has its own identity, it's own enlightened energy.

Debbie's series of canine words of wisdom are also available as greeting cards and would be lovely to send out for the holidays, joyful reminders about what's important when it's easy to lose the scent.

Debbie + Figo in her Enlightened Hound home studio

Hand-carved Lino Plate

Enlightened Hound Canine Wisdom Prints Drying

Canine Wisdom Poster No. 3

Canine Wisdom Poster No. 4

Visit The Enlightened Hound to see all five Canine Wisdom Posters pick the one that speaks to you.

December 3, 2012
2011 Westminster Dog Show Starts Tonight

This is the first year the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show had a competition for their poster artwork. The winner was Amber Sena with her submission Canon of Canine. It is my favorite poster since 2004 when they first started incorporating art into their marketing materials. You can order a copy of the poster here. All proceeds will benefit the Animal Medical Center in New York City in honor of its 100th year as a national leader in animal health care.

TV Schedule:

NIGHT 1:
Monday, February 14
Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups
8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC

NIGHT 2:
Tuesday, February 15
Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, Best In Show
8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network

Go Doxies!

February 14, 2011
I Love You Like a Dog Loves His Bone Print

Kicking off a week of Valentine’s Day gifts for dog lovers…

” Love You Like a Dog Loves His Bone” Eye Chart poster. Available in lots of dreamy colors at handz’s shop on Etsy. $15.

January 31, 2011
Keep Calm and Love Dogs Poster

Awwww. Available here in many colors.

Have a great weekend.

P.S. If you want to make your own "Keep Calm" poster, use the Keep Calm Poster Generator.

July 23, 2010
Sabrina Movie Posters from Around the World

Japan

"Sabrina," the 1954 film by director Billy Wilder based on the play "Sabrina Fair" by Samuel Taylor which is inspired by a poem by John Milton, has always been a McLaughlin family favorite. My Dad loves this movie and shared it enthusiastically with his four daughters. I remember thinking Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy ballgown was the most beautiful dress ever worn. I still do. My sister introduced her husband to the film two years and a few months later they welcomed their daughter to the world and named her Sabrina.

On June 23, 2010 Christie's in London will be having a vintage poster sale that includes this Japanese unfolded one-sheet (above) up for auction for an estimated price of $441 – $736. Searching for an image I could use (Christie's makes it hard to pull images off their site), I found these Sabrina posters at MovieGoods.com, priced for $19.99 – $ 29.99. In the film, Sabrina has a chic little Poodle she returns home from Paris with. I suppose the black and white poster Poodles are metaphors for the two brothers, the playboy and the grumpy workaholic, who try to woo her. It's always fascinating to see how different countries market movies. Which one is your favorite?

Italy

Spain

United States

France (this is her real Poodle in the film, but where is Humphrey Bogart?)

Poland

My favorite is the Japanese version…but I like the US version too…and the Italian one…Actually I have changed my favorite twice. And, what is up with Poland, a country with a history of some of the greatest graphic art posters in the world?! Seriously? See more at MovieGoods.com.

P.S. I never knew about the play "Sabrina Fair" by Samuel Taylor or the John Milton song, which is quoted in the play but only referenced in the film, from his 1634 masque Comus:

Sabrina fair,
Listen where thou art sitting
Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave,
In twisted braids of lilies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair;
Listen for dear honour's sake,
Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save.

P.P.S. Wendell Jamieson of The New York Times recently recommended having a gin or vodka martini, chilled, straight up, with olives while viewing "Sabrina" I think Champagne would be appropriate too, since the Champagne flutes play a key role in the film. More great ideas for DVD and cocktail pairings here.

P.P.P.S. I recently watch Sydney Pollock's 1995 remake of "Sabrina" on HBO, and while it's not as bad as I remember it, really what is the point?

June 17, 2010
A Friend in Need Reinterpreted

Thursday Night Book Club by Mark Sowa

I’ve often thought C.M. Coolidge’s “A Friend in Need” was ripe for parody. That’s why I got a kick out of Mark Sowa’s reinterpretation of it entitled “Thursday night Book Club” or “Dogs Reading Books.”

Mark says his version was inspired by thinking “about friends gathered together, and what better iconic image to use than ‘A Friend In Need’ by C.M. Coolidge? Although the classic original is instantly recognizable, people usually know it as simply ‘Dogs Playing Poker’, and hardly anyone knows who the artist is. Our interpretation pays homage to Mr. Coolidge, while at the same time ‘uplifting’ the casual pursuits of its participants. What could be more politically correct?”

He’s right. No smoking, drinking, gambling, or cheating. But still lots of fun.

Mark’s version is available at his Owl Square Press which specializes in bookish prints. I think he has a new future in bookish dog prints too.

And here’s the original (available at Amazon
) for comparison:

A Friend in Need by C. M. Coolidge

Watch a video of the reinterpretation:

A new classic is born!

August 21, 2009
Keep Calm Poster Generator

Something fun to keep you occupied between washing our hands and mapping new cases of Swine Flu, the Keep Calm and Carry On Image Generator. Above is my variation. Enjoy!

Via Fita Cola.

April 28, 2009
Ken Bailey’s Husky Bars Released in Limited Editions

Ken Bailey, one of my favorite dog artists, recently started a blog where he shows readers the evolution of his food-themed custom dog paintings.   This recent work, Husky Bars was commissioned by the parents of Brody a Siberian Husky. They had two requirements:

   1. The background will match his beautiful blue eyes.

   2. Brody’s two toys a flower and a green ball be included.

And Ken Bailey has two requirements for all his works:

1. It must be a food or drink product.
2. It must make some sense for the breed. But that can be quite broad. For example, any dog

   can be teamed with a Cafe or a cookie.

So, according to Ken, the process then went like this:

With Brody, the idea of Ice Cream Bars came to mind…..a frozen treat…..Siberia is cold.

Brody parents liked the idea and they took it a step further. They like peanut butter and chocolate.

So the main copy on the painting will read.

   BRODY BARS

   Chocolate-Peanut Butter

   Ice Cream Novelties

Here is a photo of the first stage of the commission:

And here is the final piece that includes Brody’s favorite toys, that Ken then modified for the more generic Husky Bars prints:

Thanks for sharing, Ken. Art is such a private endeavor, I know I really appreciate when other artists share their creative process. Keep the sneak peeks coming.

Limited edition Husky Bar prints are available here. And Ken has recently put his images on T-shirts and other products at his CafePress store.

(If you like this post, please leave a comment or subscribe to Dog Art Today. This blog is powered by traffic from readers like you. Thank you for visiting!)

Advertisement

April 14, 2009
Celebrate Dog Art Today’s 2nd Anniversary: Win a Valentino Pug Poster!

Win this poster!

In honor of my blog turning two today, I have a gift for one lucky reader, a Valentino Pug poster. This amazing prize was generously donated by the producers of Valentino: The Last Emperor, a documentary directed by Matt Tyrnauer that follows the Italian designer for the final two years of his celebrated career. The film is also billed as a love story about Valentino and his business partner of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti. And, from what I can tell, it is also a story about two men and their love for their five Pugs who jet around the world with them as one big glamorous happy family.

This poster is now a rare collector's item as they were initially distributed for publicity purposes only, and now have been discontinued. I think it is a magnificent combination of art, beauty, fashion, history, and dog love.

If you would like to win it simply tell my why you love Pugs, or why you love Valentino, or why you love both in the comments section below. On Thursday March, 19, 2009 the contest will end at noon and I will select a winner. You can enter more than once if you have more than one thought on the subject.

Valentino: The Last Emperor opens in the following cities:

NEW YORK CITY – March 18 to 31
Film Forum
West Houston Street (W of 6th Ave)
Buy tickets online at www.filmforum.org

CHICAGO – March 27 to April 9
Landmark Century Center Cinema
2828 North Clark Street (at Diversey)

Buy tickets online at LandmarkTheaters.com

SAN FRANCISCO – April 3 to 16

Opera Plaza Theater
601 Van Ness Avenue

Buy tickets online at LandmarkTheaters.com

LOS ANGELES – April 3 to 16
Laemmle Sunset 5
8000 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood
Buy tickets online at Laemmle.com

For more information visit the film's website.

Thank you Paul Pangman for helping me coordinate this giveaway and Melissa Langer of Pug Notes for putting me in touch with him. And thank you to all my Dog Art Today readers who make writing this blog so much fun!

P.S. I was curious about the Pugs' names and left a note on the Valentino Film's Facebook page. A few months later Giancarlo Giammetti kindly responded: Maude, Milton, Molly, Margot, and Monty.

So sweet!

P.P.S. Sorry to all my international readers, but this contest is limited to U.S. citizens only.

Winner Announced: Congratulations to Jan Glasser. You have won the Valentino Pug poster. Thank you everyone who participated for your kind words and clever entries. But how could I refuse Jan's request:

I was
hoping to win the contest for a fundraiser for our silent auction for
PetFix which is a mobile spay and neuter clinic for low income
families!!!!! We are having a hip fashion show/pamper night for women
and the dogs dress up as well. We sip Dirty Muttini's and Meowie Wowiies
and it's a blast!Last year,we raised 30,000 all for the animals! Check
us out at www.petfixnortheastohio.org Thanks for your consideration!

Way to pay it forward Jan. And the fact that I am origianlly from Cleveland sealed the deal.

(If you like this post, please leave a comment or subscribe to Dog Art Today. This blog is powered by traffic from readers like you. Thank you for visiting!)

Advertisement

March 13, 2009
Marley & Me Urban Poster

Why I will not be seeing Marley & Me. Via Shawn Stiegel's Facebook page.

Dog Art Today does not condone vandalism or movie spoilers, but I couldn't resist.

January 11, 2009