Done…almost

Written by

My January collage of Darby is almost finished. I'm stepping away from it today and tomorrow I will disassemble it and glue it back together, the trickiest part, imo. As you can see, I scrapped everything from my first iteration except for the idea of Darby sleeping in the nest and the speckled paper.

This has been the most challenging collage I have ever worked on. I don't know if that's because I haven't made one in a while or if I am too close to the subject. I think the pressure I put on myself to memorialize my dog undid me a bit. Maybe I should just spend time with my dog. Enjoy his reality instead of trying to capture his essence. I still don't know. I might do some "throw away" pieces before I begin on February. Stay tuned.

P.S. The nest includes strips of the Peaceful Valley seed catalog. The bird brings another strip in his beak. Graphic designer Milton Glaser says it's ok to explain one's work.

P.P.S. Thanks, Rebecca Collins of ArtPaw, for sending me this link to images of The Eight Dog Chronicles, 18th century Japanese books that fired my imagination in a new way.

collage dachshund calendar darby calendar longhaired dachshund calendar moira mclaughlin

Comments

9 responses to “Done…almost”

February 11, 2011

Debbie

This is amazing! I want to snuggle into that nest with him!!

Reply
February 11, 2011

Lauren Grabelle

I struggle with the same issue, Moira, on a daily basis in regards to just enjoying my time with my muse, Sugar, or documenting her every move. Usually for me it comes down to just bringing my camera along on the days where I’m also in love with the light. Sometimes I regret it as I see an amazing moment without my camera along for the ride but then I take the picture without it. Only me and Sugar can ever see that one. Then sometimes I’m thrilled with what comes out of just an afternoon walking my dog: http://bit.ly/fYb3I9
This piece is wonderful so far!

Reply
February 12, 2011

Moira McLaughlin

Wow! Those shots are breathtaking. Seriously, I was gasping. Have you always been in Montana or is this new? I dont remember that? Such beauty and such a gorgeous subject (Sugar) — how can you focus on anything else, like someones silly wedding ; )
Keep in touch. And Thanks for sharing your experience as an artist and dog lover.
M

Reply
February 12, 2011

Trish

This is fantastic! I love it. The little strips that made up the nest?! So cool. And that little peanut in the nest. The whole thing reminds me of an artist I loved at Julie Baker’s, I’m going to try and figure out who it was. I just love it. xo-

Reply
February 13, 2011

superheidi

I think your “voyage” is very interesting. Just keep going on creating, don’t evaluate just yet. Somehow you’ll notice in which direction you are heading and then it’s easier to make choices and you can set some boundaries. I freak out when I think I want to create a “master piece”, because the subject matters. it won’t work that way. For me, the subject has to turn into an object to transfer it onto paper or canvas.
When I was drawing many dogs for a small exhibition dedicated to my dear little muse toward the end of his life, I consciously enjoyed this time working while he was still around. Mostly asleep at my feet, I am very grateful of those special weeks. He couldn’t go on real walks anymore so it was allright as it was, working yet spending time togehter.
Now he’s gone and I can draw my many dogs in a detached yet consious way. The mourning hasn’t gone, it’s coming and going like it should be. But it’s not weighing on my work.
Gosh, does that make any sense at all?
Darby in a nest is such a sweet image. I hope he’ll hang around for some time.

Reply
February 14, 2011

Lauren Grabelle

Wow, back at you, Moira. Thanks for the compliment. Aren’t you a fan of mine on Facebook? I thought you were. Anyways, I moved from NJ to MT last April and have never been so creatively inspired in my life. And yes, Sugar is an enormous distraction and that is how I became a dog photographer. She truly changed my life.
You can fan me here: http://www.facebook.com/laurengrabelle
Or sign up for my blog here: http://www.laurengrabelle.blogspot.com
Maybe time to do a new post on me? 😉

Reply
February 14, 2011

Elizabeth

That’s really beautiful, Moira. I just had no idea of the extent of your artistry. I think it’s both an homage to Darby and a memorial, however premature.

Reply
February 17, 2011

Moira McLaughlin

Heidi – thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I found your comments very inspiring, even more so after I clicked through to your website and looked at some of your wonderful dog art pieces. It really helped me enjoy the process more. Be a bit more open and happy just to be making art with my dog.
Best,Moira

Reply
February 18, 2011

superheidi

I am so glad you could make sense of it. 🙂
It will be a special time and it’s good to just let things happen and enjoy the idea of making anything with your dearest Darby.

Reply