The New York Times features artist Jeff Scher's spectacular new short film Dog Days on its homepage today.
Click here to view it.
Also, all of the images are original paintings available for purchase. So if you see a beautiful panting dog you just have to have email Jeff right away. They are already going quickly.
Garden Late Afternoon
I went to the NE*ORE*AL*ISM show at the George Billis Gallery last week to see my friend Lisa Oxley’s pieces (not her dogs but her Snowflake and her Menos Pájaro, which were both highlights). I’ll admit that Neorealism is not my thing, but the show had a vibrant LA-heightened-reality-vibe that was just right for a summer night on the edge of Culver City.
One piece in particular caught my eye, Kate Doyle’s Garden Late Afternoon (above). Gallery hopping with me is like going on safari. When I spot a four-legged creature, I must hunt it down to and classify it as dog or non. You can see for yourself it’s a joyful pup lounging on a magnificent orange blanket in the fading light of New England’s magic hour, and it’s wonderful.
Gallery director Anne Hromadka graciously introduced me to the artist, Kate Doyle, in town from New Hampshire. I don’t know if it was her Irish name or her immediate desire to discuss the dogs in her work, but I definitely felt a kindred spirit. She shared the story of one of her favorite works not on display, Dog Day (below), that depicts her friend’s dog Timmy’s first day he let loose and allowed himself to experience joy after years of abuse and skittishness.
Dog Day
I love that she thought to capture that specific moment in Timmy’s life and I admire the passion with which she still talks about that moment and the painting it inspired.
Here are several other works that include dogs. I think my favorite is the last one, for reasons any former Catholic schoolgirl will understand.
Asleep in the Garden
Diana and Actaeon
Self-Portrait as a Recovering Catholic
See more of Kate’s work on her website.
(Click on images for larger view.)
Trunk Bunk & Tree’t Bowl
Sculptor Andrew Armstrong has turned his attention to dogs. His latest designs, now on view at LA’s fith floor in Chinatown, include the eco friendly Trunk Bunk & Tree’t Bowl made from reclaimed wooden pallets and grocery bags, the Polynesian inspired Tiki Dog House, and my favorite the Shaggy Shank, a handmade dog rug in the shape of a steak.
I love seeing artists play with materials and words with such expertise. And how great is it that such lighthearted designs were created in the spirit of two very serious goals, spoiling our pups and saving our planet. Well done — get it — as in “How do you want your Shaggy Shank?”
Tiki Dog House
Shaggy Shank
Here’s a secret. The thing that separates good artists from great artists is not talent. It’s courage. And today I’m featuring an artist who proves my theory, Chuck Rigg. Take a little journey with me through 5 of his dog paintings and I’ll show you what I mean.
The first and only painting I knew of Chuck’s was Black, Tan & Brown All Over (above). OK, I get it. He does highly textural dogs in a 70’s color palette, paintings that would pair nicely with some Jonathan Adler accessories. End of story.
Chuck is one of the artists of Cape Cod’s Truro Fine Art Studio where my sister, Kathleen, works and she mentioned he was having a show this week. Great, I said, I’ll feature him, thinking I’d do a simple post abut the painting of the two textural Spaniels.
Then came the other dogs, the ones that prove my theory. These are not re-workings of a lovely successful painting style he had achieved. Each one is something new, something more. Like he threw out all his old paints and decided to crack open his new blues and pinks. To paint on a ladder looking down. To throw the dogs up in the air (metaphorically speaking, of course).
Actually, he says his most recent paintings have been inspired by a visit to the Middle Eastern and Asian collections at the Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington, DC. “I was struck by the beauty of design, the gracefulness of calligraphy, by paintings which use space as a compositional element and by surface decoration for its own sake.” He also recently visited Morocco and Moorish cities in southern Spain, and I think he must have brought back the light with him to his Provincetown studio.
So, now, you may think you get the evolution of Chuck and his dogs series, but brace yourself for one more…
Here is Chuck painting anew again and it’s absolutely stunning. As a wine, I would describe the painting as a bold, yet mellow with hints of Freud (fleshy men in a formal setting), Matisse (the window and the curtain), and Picasso (blues and squares).
But it is, make no mistake, quintessentially a Rigg with all his influences clicking into one masterful work. A dusky Cape Cod sun sets outside while the floor is bathed in light reflecting off the Mediterranean. There are the Adler browns juxtaposed with a rug with a detail from a Moroccan parapet. And there’s the dog. And this is what makes Chuck a great artist, he has the courage to let the dog exit his painting stage right. Spectacular!
(Note: Chuck is not solely a dog artist, take a moment to see his other works in the show.)
See all of Chuck Rigg’s work at the Truro Fine Art Studio’s show, Menagerie, which opens tomorrow, June 27, 5pm-7pm.
Info:
Truro Fine Art Studio
#5 Depot Road
Truro, MA
508.349.2303
Visit their website for more information.
And also check out their new blog featuring their Jobi Pottery, handmade on the Cape from the original mid-century modern molds. Very cool!
I was saddened to hear last week that one of my favorite artists from childhood had died. While it may have come as no surprise to her fans that after an incredible life of 92 years, Tasha Tudor passed away, I was completely shocked. Because, I'm embarrassed to say, I had no idea she was still alive.
I would have sworn that Tasha Tudor was a 19th century painter who obviously must have passed away years ago. Those who know her history will understand my confusion. Those who don't, here’s the story: Tasha Tudor was born in Boston in 1915, but she lived the life of a 19th century woman, spinning her own clothes, raising animals and vegetables for food and living without electricity and water for many years. In fact, she considered herself the reincarnation of a sea captain's wife who lived in the early 1800's.
Douglas Martin's NYT obituary of Tasha Tudor paints a poignant picture of a strong, talented, completely individual woman who lived a physically hard life by choice, but found deep contentment in the joys of gardening, nurturing her four children, and creating her art.
The Secret Garden
A Little Princess
Also, she was an avid dog lover, make that an avid Corgi lover, owning
up to 13-14 at a time and featuring them prominently in her books,
paintings, and Tasha Tudor merchandise, such as cookie cutters and
Valentine's Day kits. (She has a whole branded website and cottage
industry and is considered the Martha Stewart of the 19th century. I
didn't know that either.)
Corgiville Fair
Corgi puppy greeting cards available here.
Exclusive Corgi cookie cutter available here.
Tasha Tudor with her Corgi Megan on her 92nd birthday, August 28, 2007
Tasha Tudor, you are a true inspiration to independent, strong-willed, artistic women (many of whom read my blog) and I believe you've settled into your next life with the same spirit and drive you brought to this one. Perhaps you're back with your sea captain or frolicking with your brothers and sisters in a pack of new Corgi pups or resting peacefully as a Daffodil bulb that will explode next spring. Thank you for showing us what it means to live your life as a work of art!
Visit her Tasha Tudor and Family website to learn more about her and purchase books, prints, photos, cards, and more.
I’m running late for a meeting this morning. Feeling like this amazing painting Running Dog by Sixty Minute Artist Jerry Lebo, whose very cool blog is devoted to artistic discipline and striving to “turn consistent effort into something worth looking at.”
Check back later. I have lots to tell you about the Ladies Biz Meetup I went to last night hosted by the fabulous Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge. It was terrific!
Finding a great new blog is fun. Finding a great new blog at its inception it awesome! In the blogosphere, I always prefer to be early to the party. So, I’m please to introduce my latest favorite blog: 1000 Demons. Katsoulis, the artist/author, describes it as…
"[A] project is based on an ancient drawing exercise in which an artist attempts to illustrate 100 demons. Here, the idea has been merged into a blog and expanded to create a bestiary blog of 1000 things I find irksome, vexing, infuriating and wrong. It is more than just an exercise in drawing 1000 demons; it is a beautiful excuse to rant."
Demon no. 7, The Beagle, sparked quite a bit of controversy on his blog. With apologies to all the Beagle lovers out there (and Uno), I’m including it here, since it’s the only dog featured so far. But in the artist’s defense, if a ferocious dog attacked you as a child, you wouldn’t be keen on the breed either.
P.S. Katsoulis is also taking suggestions. Here are some of my own demons:
– people who used the word nonplussed to mean the exact opposite of what it means.
– 3 pronged forks
– dudes who don’t neuter their dogs, because they somehow take the procedure personally
– the R in the Radio Shack logo that touches the edge of the circle that surrounds it. (poor kerning in general)
– cell phone-holding, Hummer-driving, left-turn-makers who don’t use their turn signal
– being served steak without a steak knife. Really? You’re making me ask? (do I have cutlery issues, or what?)
– Hillary Clinton saying "ready and tested" like she’s just had all her shots.
Add your pet peeves here or on the 1000 Demons. Let me know if he uses yours. This one will be fun to watch.
via NOTCOT.
Camorran
Today I’m introducing a new artist and a new term. Sweden’s Camilla Engman is what I call a coffee pot artist. This means, when you discover her work, put on a pot of coffee, because you are going to be lost in her creativity for a long, long time.
Camilla is a wildly talented illustrator, painter, and printmaker. I recently discovered her guest blogging at design*sponge, which was superb. But, take a trip to Camilla’s blog for a look at how to live your life as a true artist. For example, always take your camera on walks…
Look for beauty everywhere or make it yourself…
Fresh flowers and candles at breakfast should be standard…
At Camilla’s blog you’ll also see that one of her most important influences is her Swedish Farm Dog, Morran, who sleeps at her feet as she works…
…and often finds her way into her paintings…
Recommence
Bite or Burner
Morran In The Woods
Love Me. Obey Me. (I’m not sure if this is Morran. But every dog owner knows this feeling.)
Poppytalk has a great interview with Camilla and asks her “How much do you think Morran affects your creativity process?”
I love Camilla’s answer:
“Morran loves me no matter how ugly or bad things I make. She also keeps me away from working all day and all night. You can always say that you don’t have time to your friends and family, but a dog is craving attention and long walks. She makes me a better, nicer and happier person.”
I always think about my dog inspiring me to work, but I think Camilla might be right. Dogs inspire us to get out in the world and look at it though different, more sensitive eyes, and more importantly, get out of our own heads now and then. What more could an artist ask for in a muse?
One of my favorite Morran images is available in two limited edition prints.
Can We Dance. Edition of 16. $160 each.
close up.
Cane We Dance (line drawing). Edition of 7. $130 each.
See dozens of gorgeous Morran photos and short films at Camilla’s Flickr site.
P.S. Be warned that nearly all the links on Camilla’s blog take you to more “coffee pot artists” — enjoy!
The Yellow Room
You have 1 day and 17 hours to bid on Lisa Tishman’s The Yellow Room collage on ebay. All proceeds go to the Miami Herald’s Wish Book Charities. Winning this wonderful piece of art would be a superb way to do good and bring some sunshine into your home as we spin towards the shortest day of the year.
Tishman, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate with a background in textile design, started making these surreal collages 5 years ago on a whim. Now she sells limited edition prints of her work (editions of 50) at art fairs and online.
They remind me of one of my favorite artists, Romare Bearden, in their detailed complexity. And, as a fellow collage artist, I find them incredibly inspiring. I’m awed by her use of perspective, her fearless juxtapositions, and her emphasis on color and patterns as unifying elements. Of course I love the dogs she places in each piece too. I also love that Tishman, the owner of 2 Poodles, Duke and Tiny, donates a portion of all her sales to the Animal Recreation and Rehabilitation Center in Davie, FLA. Read more about this talented artist in Daniel Chang’s Miami Herald profile. Then go bid!
Bichon Baby
Fabulous Faux
Day & Night
The Pianist
9/11
I’ve had my eye on Sonia Romero since I first saw her work at the Ken Dunipace Memorial Benefit in 2005. Her vibrant evocative prints were definitely a highlight of the show. An exciting find on her website is “The Challenging Work of Alphabetical Transportation” Linocut Artist book. Pick up an individual print with your favorite letter or animal for $30. Prices are discounted with multiples. Perfect shower gifts for baby’s nursery. Contact Sonia for availability of the whole book.
