Dog Art Today

Category: Dog Art Videos

  • First Film Review for Dogs in Art

     

    "Stroll upstairs and be captivated by the breathtaking video of canine images throughout history by Moira McLaughlin of Dog Art Today.   I walked through Strathmore mansion twice, hating to leave the memorable depictions and celebrations of dogs. I admit I stood and watched McLaughlin's magical video four times. While you can view a short version at Dogs Art Today's website, to stand in the glowing light of beautiful Strathmore gallery, inches from the crisply filmed, mysteriously unfolding images is a must." — Sarah A. Ferrell, Fredricksburg.com.

    The Strathmore Unleashed! exhibit has ended, but you can view the film below.  It is the full version, though the one on view at Stratmore was on a loop.  See a list of all the dogs and artists here.

    Before I was a dog artist I wanted to be a filmmaker. 

    Feels nice.

  • For Hire! Bangalore Rickshaw by Xaver Xylophon

     

    “For Hire! – Bangalore Rickshaw” by Xaver Xylophon features lovely animation and several street dogs.

    Via It’s Nice That.

  • DOGTV for Your Dog (and You)

     

     

    Relaxation

    Have you heard about DOGTV?  It’s the first cable channel designed for stay-at-home dogs.  I don’t have it yet. Right now it’s only available on San Diego on COX (channel 2635) and Time Warner (channel 148).  But you can subscribe to find out when it’s coming to your area. 

    I viewed three of their videos and felt better than I’ve felt in a long time.  Since Darby died, I’ve missed my fix of all-encompassing-dog-centric moments.  I think DOGTV might have several untapped markets including people like me who are craving dogs, but for whatever reason, don’t have one.  And wouldn’t it be great for dog artists to have it on in the background while they work?  I would even like to have it on while I blog.  I confess, MSNBC is my default ambient noise.  It’s not healthy. 

    If you and your dog get DOGTV, I’d love to hear a review. 

     

     

    Stimulation

     

    Exposure

    Exposure is my favorite.   I love the dog’s POV and the panting noises.   But there is some controversy that it glorifies dogs riding in the back of pickup trucks.   I agree.   I hate seeing that, even if the dogs looked blissed out.

    Watch this video with Dr. Nicholas Dodman to understand the behavioral science and technical research behind the clips.  And see dogs watching DOGTV.  It really looks like they are enjoying it.

    Dr. Nicholas Dodman Discusses DOGTV and How to Watch It

    DOGTV really is made for dogs.   But I think, just like a real dog, it would be good for humans, too.

  • Elderly Animals by Isa Leshko

     

    Isa_leshko_elderly_animals_kelly

     

    Kelly, Irish Wolfhound, age 11

    Isa Leshko began photographing elderly animals shortly after spending a year caring for her mother who has Alzheimer's disease. During that time she made the conscious decision not to photograph her family, but she knew the experience would influence her work.

    About a year after she returned home, she was mesmerized by a blind, elderly horse named Petey who lived on a relative's property.  She spent the afternoon photographing him.  After reviewing the film, she realized she found a way to sift through her feelings about her mother's illness and her own fears about aging and death.  She subsequently traveled to farm sanctuaries in several states to photograph elderly animals. She spent hours with each one, often visiting them more than once, and sometimes just lying with them before taking a single photo.  I think that intimacy and respect shows in her images.  She met pigs, chickens, sheep, roosters, monkeys, horses, and several dogs…

    Isa_leshko_ederly_animals_red

     

    Red, Chow Mix, age 14+

    Isa_leshko_elderly_animals_blue

     

    Blue, Australian Kelpie, age 19

    Isa_leshko_elderly_animals_kiri

     

    Kiri, Great Plains Wolf, age 17

    Filmmakers Mark and Angela Whalley made this film about Isa Leshko's Ederly Animals project…

    Isa Leshko's website.

    Interview with her in The New York Times.

  • Hero the Rescued Dog from Iraq

    Hat tip to my friend and fellow dog lover Leigh Talbot for sending me this video.

  • Happy Birthday Darby!

    For Darby's 17th birthday I wanted to make a short film of him peacefully sitting in his favorite spot.  Like Andy Warhol's "Sleep," maybe I could get him napping and make a quiet, soulful tribute to my very old dog.  This is how it turned out..

     

    Happy Birthday to the little dog who changed my life. 

    Thank you for not always letting me be in charge.  

    I love you.

     

    If you can't see the video in your email, view it here on YouTube.

     

    Credits: Projector sound effects by nemoDaedalus, available for free under the Creative Commons license at Freesound.org.  Camera by Sheila Cameron on her iPhone 4s .   Edited by Moira McLauglin in iMovie.

  • Tori Loves Michigan

     

     

    Astoria Harris is a partially paralyzed Cairn-Yorkie-Shih Tzu mix who doesn’t let her disability prevent her from enjoying the miles of trails, abundant wildlife, and beautiful scenery of Michigan.

    Hat tip to Adam McLaughlin, my faux brother, for sending me this video. I’ve watched it many times.

    P.S. When Tori poses against the black background, I think she looks like John Singer Sargent’s Pointy. So beautiful.

  • Loukanikos: Greek Riot Dog

     

    A stray named Loukanikos (sausage) always seems to show up at the front lines of the recent riots in Greece.   He is becoming legend in a country with an unparalleled history of heroes, gods, and revolutionaries.

    Hat tip to Nevada City's local hero, Reinette Senum, who shared this link and who can always be found on the front lines of progess in our town; on the city council, on the new downtown boardwalk, at the Nevada City Farmers Market she helped start, building micro houses and knitting scarves for the homeless, selling Gorilla Love Coffee that gives back, and at the A.P.P.L.E. Center (just to name a few of her projects).  Oh, she is also going to Occupy Wall Street. 

  • Professional Photography for Rescue Dogs

    Dallas photographer Teresa Berg uses her professional skills to change the lives of rescue dogs.  So inspiring to see what one woman can do…

    Here is the link to the video if you can't view it.

    Teresa Berg also teaches her rescue dog photography lessons online.  The next webinar is October 12, 6-8 pm CDT.  Her last few webinars have sold out, so sign up early.  Visit her Focus on Rescue blog for more information.   

    For information about her professional photography services visit Teresa Berg Photography.

    Thank you, Jim Quinlivan and Tom Turley for sending me this link.

  • Jeff Scher’s New Christmas Film

    After watching Jeff Scher's new film featuring Paul Simon's "Getting Ready for Christmas Day,"  I sent him this note…

    "Dear Jeff,  You've outdone yourself.  This video is so, well, everything Christmas is — wondrous, nostalgic, tragic, painful, hopeful, trippy, exhausting, indulgent, petty, and magical."

    See what you think…

    Try to enjoy this last weekend before Christmas.  But don't beat yourself up if you don't.

    Visit Jeff's blog Reasons to Be Glad to see a behind-the-scenes shot of his animation process.  If you've never seen Jeff's summery and soulful short film "Dog Days" I featured it here.