Tag: clair hartmann

Clair Hartmann’s Darby in Modern Dog Magazine

Nita and Darby by Clair Hartmann

This month, Shannon Church of Modern Dog Magazine profiles North Carolina dog artist Clair Hartmann.

One of the paintings the magazine chose to represent Clair's work is the Darby painting she sent me after I wrote about his death.
We both consider this painting a breakthrough, artistically for her (she felt the painting painted itself), emotionally for me (it was cathartic to see Darby again in a different light, and it enabled me to say "yes" to my new dog, Tyler). So we were both pleased — I used the term "freaking out" — when the Modern Dog editors shared Darby with their readers.

I was curious how the profile came about.

Moira McLaughlin: Did you submit your work to Modern Dog Magazine?

Clair Hartmann: No, they approached me. I'm not sure how they found me. I'm thinking being on Dog Art Today might have had something to do with it.

MM: Who selected the paintings?

CH: They asked me for specific paintings, and I was thrilled when they chose Darby.

MM: How was the interview conducted?

CH: It was a written Q + A, which I like best because it gives you time to think, and you don't sound like such a boob when it's published…hopefully.

MM: What has been the response to the article compared with other press you've received?

CH: I've gotten a few inquiries and one commission, which surprised me because thought I would get more. I look at press as a whole. The more you have written about you, the more known you are. It's all connected and it leads to other things like shows and other media. I do believe it started with Dog Art Today's blog post about my Downtown Dog Project. That's when my work started reaching other people outside of my "zone," which ultimately means more sales and commissions.

MM: Thank you, Clair, for bringing Darby's sweet face back to me in new and surprising ways. And thank you for your continued support of Dog Art Today. I think your new ad is fantastic (see right sidebar).

If you would like to get noticed on Dog Art Today, please visit my Advertisd Here page.

Visit Clair Hartmann's website.

Read Shannon Church's profile of Clair Hartmann on Modern Dog Magazine.

March 25, 2013
Another Hartmann Sells at Strathmore Unleashed

Dane on de Kooning by Clair Hartmann

Congratulations, Clair Hartmann, for the $1200 sale of Dane on de Kooning during the final weekend of Strathmore Unleashed! in Bethesda, Maryland.

As I reported at the beginning of June, Hartmann's Shore Leave, also at Strathmore Unleashed!, sold for $1800.

Visit Clair Hartmann's website.

Speaking of de Kooning, did you know he was a dog artist?

June 26, 2012
Clair Hartman’s Shore Leave Sells at Strathmore

Shore Leave by Clair Hartmann

Artist Clair Hartmann dropped me a note to let me know her painting Shore Leave sold for $1800 at the “Strathmore: Unleashed!” exhibition in Bethesda, MD.

At 40″ x 30″ Shore Leave is largest painting Hartmann has created to date. The prolific and highly accomplished artist who honed her craft at the Wilmington, NC farmers market says she “is thrilled to sell a painting at such a fancy gallery!!”

I am sure Shore Leave’s new owners are equally thrilled. Click on the image to see it larger. It is an exquisite painting.

“Strathmore Unleashed!” is a multimedia celebration of dogs in art. I (Moira McLaughlin) worked as an advisor on the project. The exhibition runs until June 23, 2012.

Visit Clair Hartmann’s website.

Visit Strathmore.

June 4, 2012
Dog Art Today and Strathmore Unleashed!

Desire by Clair Hartmann

I am thrilled to announce that the exhibition I have been working on as an advisor, Strathmore Unleashed!, is opening this weekend, April 28, 2012 at Strathmore, the fine arts and cultural center in Bethesda, MD.

My involvement with Strathmore Unleashed! began in February when curator Harriet Lesser contacted me looking for dog artists who depict "an alternative approach to our relationship with our dogs." She wanted work that expressed a "depth of feeling and intensity in a mostly non-verbal way." She also wanted to include my video tribute to 5,000 years of dog-centric artwork entitled "Dogs in Art."

"Yes," I told Harriet. "I would love to be involved."

Not only was this a meeting of the minds between Harriet and me, both artists who take dog art seriously, but it was also a tremendous opportunity for me to look back at the last five years of my blog Dog Art Today. I reviewed every single article, over 1200 posts, and thousands of artists. I was reminded of works I had forgotten and fell back in love with old favorites.

I gave Harriet a four-page document of artists to consider, and she did the outreach and coordination. When she sent me the list of her selections that included Jane O'Hara, Clair Hartmann, Anna Dibble, Kaththyn Freeman, David Corcoran, Marjorie Weiss, Heather LaHaise, Kent Ambler, I was so proud to be a part of this prestigious group. I was also excited that she chose to include my sister Sheila Cameron's work. And since my parents' dog, Minnie, and my sister Regan's dog, Logan, are both in my "Dogs in Art" video, Strathmore Unleashed! is truly a family affair.

Strathmore Unleashed! will also feature five doghouses, from futuristic polypod structures to scale models inspired by the Sydney Opera House, photographs by the iconic William Wegman, large scale installations by Dale Rogers, and a fiber sculpture by Ann Citron.

Most exciting is that for the opening reception on Thursday May 3, 2012 Strathmore Unleashed! will host a special Yappy Hour from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. for dog owners to bring their pets to the exhibition. It is free and open to the public.

Strathmore Unleashed! runs from this Friday April 28, 2012 to June 23, 2012. The exhibition also includes an art talk, a children's drawing session, and special tours.

Man's Best Friend by David Corcoran

Pink Chihuahua by Sheila Cameron

Nest by William Wegman

Trying to Get Along by Anna Dibble

Dogs in Art by Moira McLaughlin

If you're in the Washington D.C. area, plan a trip to Strathmore Unleashed! Please send photos if you go.

View the invitation.

Read the press release.

April 24, 2012
Darby Portrait by Clair Hartmann

Darby by Clair Hartmann, 2012

Three months after my Longhaired Dachshund Darby died in December, I received an email from North Carolina dog artist, Clair Hartmann. Attached was an image of this portrait of Darby she painted as a gift to me. In her email she wrote:

"Your blog post 'What Happened' touched me so deeply, I knew I had to paint Darby. I put it off, but it just kept asking to be painted, and when I started, to be honest, it just painted itself. I would like to think Darby helped."

After I wiped my tears, I sent her an email attempting to convey how much I loved it. Then, I sent her another one asking if I could interview her about Darby's portrait.

Here is our Q + A:

Moira McLaughlin: What compelled you to paint Darby?

Clair Hartmann: When I read the post "What Happened" I had to get up from my computer, go to the bathroom, lock the door and cry. It was one of those uncontrollable, can't catch your breath, crying spells. I was so moved by your experience and the pain of your companion passing that I HAD to paint Darby and honor his life.

MM: What medium is the painting?

CH: Oil on canvas

MM: What photo(s) did you use to create it? Were you inspired by his blue blanket that I mention in the post?

Darby on his Blanket by Moira McLaughlin, 2011

CH: I saw some photos that were professionally taken on your blog with perfect lighting that really showed his eyes. That moved me. Originally I painted the blue surface he was standing on, but it just didn't seem right. I have this white down comforter that my Chumley loves and it looks like clouds when it gets fluffed up, so I used that instead which I'm really glad I did.

MM: Those photos were taken by photographer Grace Chon and I treasure them. See more here.

Darby by Grace Chon, 2009

MM: In one of your emails, you mentioned you consider this piece a breakthrough for you, can you elaborate on that?

CH: I have been painting dogs for years, trying to perfect my style. I've moved through realism back to painterly styles and now I feel I've come to a nice middle ground. I feel this painting exemplifies everything I have been working towards for the past four years. The painting almost painted itself, taking only about two hours. It happened so quickly that I was sad to stop, but I knew in my gut it was done.

MM: Have you lost a dog before? If so, did you paint your pet after he or she passed away?

CH: I had a beautiful Dalmatian when I was a child, and I spent hours learning how to draw her sleeping. One day she ran away and was hit by a car. Thankfully I didn't see it and was told about a week after she had been gone. I didn't paint her after she died, but I feel she was an integral part of why I love to paint dogs.

MM: I know you have been following Dog Art Today for some time. Did you know that Pointy by John Singer Sargent is my #1-all-time-if-I-had-to-chose-a-favorite piece of dog art? Your Darby reminds me of it in many ways.

Pointy by John Singer Sargent, 1880s

CH: I did not know that and surprisingly I have never seen that painting, but I love the style! And I am honored that you would compare me to John Singer Sargent.

MM: I can't tell you how deeply touched I am by this painting. It hangs in my kitchen (which is also the main room of my house) with an abstract by my niece, Layla Cameron, and another Darby by Heather LaHaise. I love how they look grouped together…

MM: Also, I have it as my screensaver. And it is responsible for the first photograph of my new dog, Tyler, with his predecessor…

Clair, this painting helped me heal on so many levels. And that healing made it possible for me to say yes to Tyler and help save his life.

Often I say on this blog, that "art matters." Receiving the gift of Darby, which gave me a chance to see him one more time in a new and beautiful light, brought the power of art home to me more profoundly than ever. Thank you. — Moira McLaughlin

To see more of Clair Hartmann's work visit her website.

April 12, 2012
Fabergé French Bulldog

Via Wartski, antique dealers specializing in the work of Carl Fabergé, Russian Works of Art, Fine Jewelery and Silver:

A jewelled and enamelled hardstone study of a French bulldog by Carl Fabergé

naturalistically carved from petrified wood in a seated position, with the oversized head and ears
that characterise the breed, wearing a yellow gold collar enamelled opaque black and white,
fastened by a rose diamond set buckle, each of the belt holes set with rose diamonds, mounted
with a ring for a lead to the rear and suspending a gold bell,
its eyes set with two large old brilliant cut diamonds.

Signed ‘C. Fabergé’ in Latin characters to the underside
and engraved ‘C. Fabergé’ in Cyrillic to loop.

St. Petersburg, circa 1916,
inventory number: 23914.

9cm tall

Contact Wartski for purchase price.

Hat tip to Clair Hartmann for sending me this link. Clair has a lovely 2011 dog painting calendar and a new book in the works. Stop by her website to see what she's up to.

January 11, 2011
Clair Hartmann’s Downtown Dog Project Book

I featured North Carolina artist Clair Hartmann last July when she was in the middle of painting 101 dogs at the Wilmington Farmers' Market to incorporate in a book called The Downtown Dog Project. True to her word, and an inspiration to every dog-a-day painter who aspires to publish someday, Clair's book is now available at blurb. Congratulations, Clair. It look beautiful.

Proceeds from the book sales benefit Adopt-an-Angel.
See more of Clair's work at her Daily Painting blog.

June 29, 2010
Clair Hartmann’s Downtown Dog Project

I am always inspired by great art. But great art wedded to a clever concept with branching possibilities for promotion and altruism really excites me. Clair Hartmann’s Downtown Dog Project is just such an endeavor, one I am thrilled to share with you.

Clair is an accomplished painter who sells her work every other Saturday at the Wilmington, NC Farmers Market. There, she began to notice all the people who brought their dogs and how you couldn’t help smiling when you saw them. So, as an artist sparked by new subjects to explore, she decided to photograph and paint them. Then she took it an ambitious step further, she committed to painting a dog a day for 100 days.

Now, according to her A Painting a Day blog, she is up to Dog #42. She purposely doesn’t name them because she wants you to feel like you are adopting the dog, so you get the honor of naming it. Each 8″ x 8″ painting is $175 and Clair donates $25 to the Humane Society. By the end of the year, she plans to publish all 100 dog paintings in a book.

I think her dogs are wonderful, but as an artist and entrepreneur, I deeply admire her vision and discipline. To paraphrase Andy Warhol, I think turning a good idea into a fully-realized project is the best kind of art. Keep going, Clair, I can’t wait to see more. Here are a few of my favorites:

Purchase a Downtown Dog at Clair Hartmann’s Etsy Shop. Visit her website to see more of her work.

P.S. Thank you Mary Beth Bankson for sending me the info about The Downtown Dog Project.

July 24, 2009