Tag: art

  • Dog DNA: Crime + Embellishment

    Dna_dog_art_1

    Dog DNA is is a hot topic. This week, the Israeli town of Petah Tikva announced a new initiative to track down owners who don’t pick up after their dogs. Owners voluntarily enter their dog’s DNA into a database that will then be used to match droppings with the culprits, resulting in fines. But, owners who use receptacles will be rewarded with dog food coupons and dog toys. I wonder whose job that will be?

    David_caruso

    This crime scene…(puts on sunglasses)…stinks.

    On the creative front, DNA 11, a Canadian company founded by Adrian Salamunovic and Nazim Ahmed, takes your dog’s DNA and turns it into art. Don’t worry the process is quite civilized. They send you a handy collection kit to swab your dog’s mouth for a sample. Then, you pick the colors and layout you like and they create a one-of-a-kind artwork of your dog’s genetic code.

    Dna_dog_art_split_2

    your DNA/your dog’s DNA

    You can even choose to combine your DNA with your dog’s (not in the lab – uhh that would be freaky) on the canvas, displaying your DNA beside your dog’s. It’s the ultimate symbol of our connection to our pets…our feelings that we are a part of each other. And they look super cool too.

    Dna_dog_art_blue

    Dna_dog_art_black_3

    Dna_dog_art_orange_wall

    What a great gift for the dog and dog lover who has everything. Visit their website to learn more. They also do fingerprint art and kiss portraits (for humans) which are very cool too.

    P.S. Also check out this month’s The Bark Magazine for an interesting article on unraveling the tapestry of your dog’s genetic code by Jane Brackman, PhD.

  • A-Young Lee: Korean Dog Leash Paintings

    Dog_leash_painting

    Darby just got a brand new leather leash (thanks, Mom), and it reminded me of these paintings I've been meaning to feature. I've postponed it, because I don't know who the artist is. I found them on a my favorite Korean dog art blog, Merry & Happy. If anyone can translate this post and provide me the artist's name I would really appreciate it. (I am going to try Google translator and see what happens.)

    I think these works are so beautiful and clever. And they inspire me to do something creative with Darby's leash. I'll keep you posted.

    9.1.08 Update: The artist's name is A-young Lee.  Thanks, Pu-reum!

    Dog_leash_painting_2

  • Dog Art Christmas Cards 2008

    More great dog lover finds for this year’s season’s greetings.

    Husky_christmas_card

    Husky Christmas Cards from PugNotes

    Scottie_christmas_cards

    Scottie Christmas Cards from Maggie Ross

    Viszla_christmas_cards wp_IMG

    Vizsla Christmas Cards from Debbie Stonebraker

    Keeshond_christmas_cards

    Keeshond Christmas Cards from My Treat

    Labrador_christmas_cards wp_IMG

    Labrador Christmas Cards from Barefoot Labradors

    Flat_coated_retriever_christmas_cards

    Flat Coated Retriever Christmas Cards from Blazingstar

    Australian_cattle_dog_christmas_card

    Australian Cattle Dog Christmas Cards from Corrie Kuipers

    Let me know what breed you’re looking for and I will keep a look out as I search the web for more dog art Christmas cards.

    See thousands of dog breed Christmas cards from CafePress where new designs are added daily.

  • The Wizard of Oz by Graham Rawle

    Graham_rawle_oz_1

    L. Frank Baum's original novel, The Wizard of Oz, illustrated by collage artist Graham Rawle makes me think of one of my favorite childhood books, The Lonely Doll, crossed with Tim Burton.  Brilliant!

    Graham_rawle_oz_2

    Graham_rawle_oz_3

    Graham_rawle_oz_4

    Graham_rawle_oz_5

    Graham_rawle_6

    The making of…

    Graham_rawle_oz_toto

    Hand carved balsa wood Toto

    Graham_rawle_oz_flowers

    Fantastical Oz flowers by Margaret Huber

    Graham_rawle_wardrobe

    Wardrobe Department

    Graham_rawle_oz_emerald_city

    Building the Emerald City

    The book will be not be out until October 1, 2008.  But you can pre-order your copy here. Visit Rawle's website to learn more about his journey making The Wizard of Oz. And stop by his blog and see what's new.

    Via Nag on the Lake, where you'll always find something cool.

  • Jeff Koons Opens at Versailles

    Jeff Koons’s Let Them See Kitsch exhibition opens today at Versailles.  The installation of his works in the historic palace created controversy when it was announced this summer, and continues to offend.

    Jeff_koons_magenta_dog

    Magenta (via Kathleen Anderson’s flickr site) in the…

    Salon_d_Hercule

    …Salon d’Hercule.  Looks like…

    Jeff_koons_versailles_dog

    …this.

    I am divided about the show.  I like the idea of contemporary art juxtaposed with “sacred symbols of heritage and identity,” but given that much of the $3 million project was funded by French billionaire, Francois Pinault, who owns more than a dozen of Koons’s works, I wonder if this is not just a way to juice the artist’s asking price. 

    And, quite frankly, I think if Koons doesn’t rein it in, his work will become the Golden Arches of the art world.  But I guess for an artist that is a high class problem.

    (Magenta in the Salon d’Hercule photo via AFP.  See more photos of the exhibition here.)

  • Dog Rule Fat Book Sneak Peek

    Over the summer, thirteen dog artists, including myself, worked on this collaborative project called Dogs Rule.  On November 15th we are going to auction a copy of this handmade dog art book to benefit A Place to Bark Animal Rescue.  I will have more on this closer to the date, but I just had to share this terrific video that fellow artist Rebecca Collins put together featuring an interview with the project’s mastermind, Jill Beninato.

    In Hollywood we would call it a teaser trailer. Enjoy!

    More details coming soon…

  • Darby Portrait by Heather LaHaise

    Darby_dachsund_painting


    Heather LaHaise, whom I featured on Dog Art Today back in August, just sent me an email of this exquisite portrait she did of Darby my Dachshund.  What a wonderful surprise! 

    Heather, thank you so much for this kind gesture.  I absolutely love it.  You totally captured his sweet, earnest expression and his soft velvety, gorgeous brown coat.   Wonderful!

    Visit Heather's website to order your own LaHaise original.

  • Dog Art Pillows by Mary Ann Varanelli

    Golden_retriever_pillow
    Golden Retriever pillow

    Mary Ann Varanelli of Best Friends Studios creates beautiful handmade appliqué pillows of your best friend.  Working from a photo of your dog and a discussion about your decorating tastes, each pillow is cut and dyed by hand from 100% wool felted for softness.

    The results are simply wonderful.  Each pillow is a true work of art and tribute to the dog in your life.  Mary Ann also makes handbags, coin purses, and Christmas stockings, now on sale at her Etsy store.

    Bull_dog_photo
    Bulldog photo

    Bulldog_pillow
    Bulldog pillow

    Welsh_pembroke_corgi_pillow
    Welsh Pembroke Corgi pillow

    Maltese_pillow
    Maltese pillow

    Golden_retriever_pillow_2 Golden Retriever pillow

    Jack_russell_pillow
    Jack Russell pillow

    Contact Mary Ann at Best Friends Studios and get your order in today.   These fabulous pillows would make great holiday gifts!

  • More Cyrk Dog Posters

    Cyrk_poster_1
    Headstand on Pole by Maciej Urbaniec

    Last June, after I featured Cyrk Contemporary Posters on Dog Art Today, company owner Donald Mayer generously allowed me to pick out one for myself.  After some excruciating deliberations.  I chose Headstand on Pole by Maciej Urbaniec.  Yes, he was shocked too that I didn't pick a dog poster. 

    When this came in the mail, I was completely blown away.  As I said to Donald, "It is so beautiful I could cry."

    Thank you so much.  I just adore it!

    Here are some more Cyrk Polish poster dogs to round out my day of circus themed art.

    Cyrk_poster_2
    Two Headed Dog by Marek Freudenreich

    Cyrk_poster_3 Dog with Soccer Ball by Danuta Zukowska 

    Cyrk_poster_4
    Three Beagles by Wiktor Gorka 

    Cyrk_poster_5 Two Balancing Poodles by Danuta Zukoska

    Read my original Cyrk post here.   See Cyrk's collection of dog posters here.  See all their posters and pick one for yourself here.

    I'd love to hear from you if you do.

  • Hilda Spain-Owen’s Whippet Portraits

     

    Whippet_anything_for_you

     

    Anything for You

     

    Writing about artist Julian Chung and his circus inspired animals reminded me of a painter I’ve been meaning to feature named Hilda Spain-Owen.  Her work is so popular even non-dog owners collect her fabulous Whippets. 

    She also supports sighthound rescue groups in Florida and North Carolina and has raised thousands of dollars from her dog art donations.  Very cool!

     

    Whippet_break_point

     

    Break Point

     

     

    Whippet_cool_whip

     

    Cool Whip

     

     

    Whippet_Call of the Circus

     

    Call of the Circus

     

    Whippet_madame_x

     

    Madame X

     

    Whippet_designing_woman

     

    Designing Woman

    Visit Hilda Spain-Owen’s website for giclées, note cards, and information about commissioning a portrait of your pet.