Dog Art Today

Tag: art

  • Venice Biennale: Steve McQueen’s Giardini Dogs

    Steve_mcQueen_venice_biennale

    The fantastical art experience known as the Venice Biennale opened to the public yesterday and dogs are already making a statement.  Specifically the greyhounds that appear in British artist Steve McQueen’s film Giardini, which is actually two films screened side by side showing images of Venice’s public gardens.  This is not the Venice of summer and the art world.  It is the haunted, quiet Venice of February. 

    There is not exactly a story, although there are two men who interact in a way that hints at a narrative.  But according to Charlotte Higgins of The Guardian:

    The most arresting characters are the dogs who appear like a leitmotif through the work. “They are racing greyhounds that would otherwise be shot but are looked after by a charity,” said McQueen. The point is that they ought to be dead – and are thus a kind of ghostly presence, he added.

    Steve_mcqueen_giardini_2

    Hear Steve McQueen discuss his work and see clips of the film:

    The Independent’s Charles Darwent glowingly reviews the film and concludes:

    Every now and then, I’m reminded of my good fortune in being a critic, and seeing Giardini in the Giardini is such a moment. I know Venice is far away and that there are other things to do there, but make the trip for McQueen, if you can.

    I would echo Darwent’s advice.  Attending the Venice Biennale was one of the most magical experiences of my life.  If you get a chance, go.  Click here for more information.  It runs until November 22, 2009.

  • 1850 Poodle Daguerreotype

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    Poodle with Bow on Table by Anonymous American Photographer, 1850

    This sweet Poodle daguerreotype is up for auction at Sotheby’s New York on Monday March 30, 2009.  The catalogue’s  condition report highlights its “excellent condition” and points out that “this daguerreotype is astonishing for the clarity of its rendering of a
    difficult subject. Looked at under magnification, this image shows a
    wealth of detail in the dog’s face and in the texture of its fur.”

    What I find astonishing is that its one of the earliest dog photographs I have ever seen.  And, it is yet another indication that our deep love of our pets is nothing new.  Not only does the photographer spend time, money, and materials in a complicated and time consuming process to memorialize the dog, someone also took the time to give her jaunty bow.  Wonderful!

    Estimate is $5,000 – $7,000.  Visit Sotheby’s for more information.

    Hat tip to my friend Kevin Hannigan who sent me this story via Andrew Sullivan’s blog.

    (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!)

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  • Ziggy the Pekingese Dog Painter

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    Ziggy, Elizabeth Monacelli's 3-year-old Pekingese, is an accomplished though somewhat temperamental abstract painter.  I am a fan of his work.

    Read more here.

    Photo courtesy of Barcroft Media.

  • Good Bye, Sandy

    Sandy_collage

    Sandy, 1999 – 2009

    Last Saturday my friend Adam McLaughlin had to say good bye to his sweet girl Sandy.  She had finally lost her battle with cancer.  He is completely heartbroken.  And again there are no words I can offer, but know that by adopting that abandoned, emaciated, and terrified pup 9 years ago, you gave Sandy an incredible love-filled life.

    I never met her, but I had the privilege of working with her image when your sister Meredith commissioned me to create a collage for you as a Christmas gift (above).  I was so inspired by her beauty and her regal bearing.  But I especially loved the photos of you two sitting on the couch together, so happy and at peace.  That was three years ago, and I remember Meredith feeling a sense of urgency because Sandy had been diagnosed with cancer already.  It is amazing that she was able to thrive for so long.  But she had a wonderful life thanks to you, her devoted dad.  I am so sorry for your loss, Adam.  And I hope that somehow each day gets a little easier.

    Here is the video tribute Meredith made for Sandy entitled The World's Greatest Dog:


    P.S. Adam has my same last name, but we are not related. Although, his sister Meredith is a longtime friend whom my family calls our faux sister. So I guess that makes Adam my faux brother. And Sandy my faux doggie niece.

    (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!)

  • Westminster Dog Show Original Artwork On Ebay

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    Westminster: There's Only One by Trish Biddle, 2009

    Doyle New York, is auctioning Trish Biddle's original artwork used for The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2009 poster on Ebay. The oil painting entitled Westminster: There's Only One depicts breeds from all seven dog show groups, plus the 2008 Best in Show winner, Uno, the champion Beagle. In the background is New York’s iconic Empire State Building lit in the Westminster colors of blue and gold.

    The painting is estimated to sell for $3,000 – $5,000.  Right now the bidding is at $1,525.  The auction ends on February 12, 2009 at 9 PST. 

    If the original is not in your budget you can purchas the poster for $35 at the Westminster Kennel Club online store.  Learn more about the artist at her website.

    2.13.09 Update:  The painting sold for $2,275.00.

  • Art Blog Award

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    Thank you, Karen Howell of Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Art Blog for honoring me with this fun art blog award.  I am supposed to post seven things I love.  Here goes:

    Moira-running_6

    2.  Sweating.  Photo is me crossing the finish line after the 800 meter race, eighth grade, 1981.  I used to be a jock.  Trying to find my way back to that girl.

    Siegfried_hansen_photo

    3.  Stripes.  Image by Siegfried Hansen.

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    4. Orchids.  They sometimes show up in my art.   Like this piece, Wonder Dog.

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    5.  Good cheese and bread.  Photo by Romulo Yanes, Condé Nast Publications.


    Los_angeles_sky

    LA's impossibly blue sky.  Photo by Chele in LA.

    Darby_grace_chon

    7.  My 14-year-old puppy named Darby.  Photo by Grace Chon of ShinePetPhotos.

    I am passing this art blog award onto Boston pet portrait artist Jane O'Hara whose passion for animals is exceeded only by her talent as a painter.  Stop by her blog, The Animal Lounge, and see what I mean.

    And don't forget to check out Karen Howell's blog to see her wonderful Corgi art.  Thanks, Karen!

  • Seitaro Kuroda’s Mad Dog Show

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    I owe you all an apology, especially those who like Japanese-contemporary-dog-art-live-drawing-to-Tom-Waits exhibitions.  I love them.  But in the flurry of Christmas gift guides, I missed telling you about  Seitaro Kuroda's Mad Dog Show at the hpgrp gallery in NYC last October. 

    Kuroda did a weekend-long live drawing session exploring the idea that dogs might not be that into domestication by humans, and perhaps they are mad about this.  How would we know, since we are too busy obsessing over their cuteness.  Kuroda produced dozens of Mad Dog drawings as he listened to the soulful songs of one of my favorite singers, Tom Waits, "whose music has been compared by the artist to barking dog."

    This event sounds like perfection to me.   If they had a tasty cheese platter, fresh-baked baguettes and a Shiraz served in crystal stemware, it I would consider it Nirvana, because dogs were welcome too.

    So, since I can't undo letting this dog art news slip through the cracks, I am attempting to recreate it for you.  First, click on the YouTube video of Tom Waits singing Ol' 55…

    …then scroll down and enjoy the Mad Dogs and the photos of Kuroda at work.  You might also want to pour yourself a glass of wine and snuggle up with your dog and ask him if he's mad.

    Seitaro_kuroda_dog_3

    Seitaro_kuroda_dog_2

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    Seitaro_kuroda_action 

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    I going going to put on Tom Waits: The Early Years, Vol. 2, and make some art.  I feel very lucky that this is my life.

    Via Moco Loco.

  • Andy Warhol’s Japanese Dog Toy Polaroid

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    Andy Warhol's Polaroids at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in NYC until January 10, 2009. 

    Or view online.

    Brilliant as always.

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  • Happy New Year!

    Phoenix_card
    Marlou, one of my readers from The Netherlands, sent me this lovely Christmas and New Year's Card designed by her boyfriend, and I wanted to share it with you.   It features Phoenix, her majestic Ibizian Hound,  and reads, "Fine Christmas days and a successful 2009."  

    I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2009 filled with dogs, and love, and art!

    P.S. Marlou's blog is one of my favorites, with beautiful photos of Phoenix's adventures, fascinating dog art, and many resources for Ibizian Hound enthusiasts.  Here is a link to it  translated into English via Google.

    P.P.S.  I do have a resolution this year.  It is to work bigger.   My art has topped out at 8" x 10" in order to fit into templates and frames.   2009 will be a BIG year for me.

    P.P.P.S.  Do you have any resolutions?  I would love to hear…