Joe's Black Dog
Mastering silhouettes is the sign of virtuosity. An artist must confront the challenge of featureless black space and rely solely on composition and color to pull off a successful piece. Marjorie Weiss's black dog paintings are a perfect example, deceivingly simple yet profoundly executed. Like other favorite silhouette artists, Kara Walker and Joseph O. Holmes, I am in awe.
After a career as a photorealist painter, in 1997 Weiss created this painting based on an old advertising postcard:
Black Dog in Chestertown
Artistically something obviously clicked for her and she has gone on to paint dozens of images in her Chestertown dog series. Look closely and you can appreciate her ability to use acrylics to achieve bold hues and delicate, almost watercolor-like softness. Many of my artist readers will know achieving watercolor-like softness even with watercolors is a feat. Weiss's deftness with color and brushstroke is inspired
Lady with Spaniel
Chestertown Shore
Day In, Day Out
Show Day in Chestertown
Wally Wins Again
Visit Weiss's website to see more of her work, buy and original painting, digital print, or greeting card. She has many dog breeds including Pointers, Dachshunds, Labs, French Bulldogs, Westies, Jack Russells, Scotties, and more.