Tag: dog art today

It’s Real by Real Estate and Thoughts on Kitsch

I confess, I’m not big on discovering new bands. I still refer to song compilations as “albums.” Luckily, I have people in my life like my cool cousin-in-law Scott Lavinder who send me videos I might enjoy.

I love love love love love Real Estate’s “It’s Real.” Click here to watch (if you are receiving Dog Art Today via email and can’t view it).

It is such an unbridled celebration of dog love and of kitsch and nostalgia — the figurines, the collectible plates, the super 8, the paneling, the polyester upholstery, and exposed brick.

I think a lot about kitsch when I write about dog art. This blog has been my attempt to show that dog art is serious art, but now, something is happening in the art world. Kitsch is becoming serious. Or at least it is being taken seriously.

Ben Valentine of Hyperallergic just wrote a post about dog art, or rather dogs as art, arguing that…

If you think about it, your dog is a blank canvas — primed with beautiful fur, unique contours and a stunning face, just waiting to blossom into a work of art. While you were looking at and sharing cute dog pics and LOLCats at work, some creative producers were inspired to turn their own dogs into something more, something better. I have collected prime examples of dog art to celebrate the talent and creativity that some dog owners have poured into their pets. (full article)

And speaking of William Wegman (yesterday’s post), today, NYC gallerist Jen Bekman is offering Wegman’s very kitschy Weimaraners sailing print,Vacationland, and the 8″ x 10″ size has already sold out.

Another confession: I try to avoid kitsch, defined by Merriam-Webster as something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality, here at Dog Art Today because to me smacks of laziness — nostalgia masquerading as originality.

But Real Estate’s “It’s Real” is so far over-the-top, it is, as the song says, “real.” And it makes me reconsider my anti-kitsch artistic world view.

P.S. It also makes me feel better to know what Tavi Gevinson is talking about on her mood board song list, where she lists Real Estate. If you haven’t heard of Style Rookie Tavi Gevinson you will.

Thanks, Scott. You rock! (do people still say that?)

August 1, 2012
One Must Know the Animals at MMOCA

Self Portrait with Sandy by Cherie Hiser, 1974

One must know the animals, an exhibition that explores our relationship with the animal kingdom is on view at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin until August 2, 2012.

The title is taken from the Rainer Maria Rilke novel The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge:

For the sake of a few lines one must see many cities, men and things. One must know the animals, one must feel how the birds fly and know the gesture with which the small flowers open in the morning. One must be able to think back to roads in unknown regions, to unexpected meetings and to partings which one had long seen coming ….

More information here.

Hat tip to Dog Art Today reader Martha Claasen for letting me know about the show and who covertly photographed some paintings that looked like Tyler.

July 16, 2012
Two Heather LaHaise Paintings Sold at Strathmore

Mimic by Heather LaHaise, 30"x30" acrylic on canvas, sold for $650

South Carolina artist Heather LaHaise is one of my favorite painters and I was pleased to recommend her to Strathmore Unleashed!, the multi-media dog-art exhibition for which I was a consultant and participant.

Heather dropped me a note to let me know that two of the three paintings she sent to Strathmore Unleashed! sold. Congratulations, Heather. They are all wonderful.

To all the dog artists who read this blog, have you ever thought about doubling your prices?

Top Dog by Heather LaHaise, 40"x40" acrylic on canvas, sold for $875

Waterlily by Heather LaHaise, available

If you are interested in purchasing Waterlily visit Heather's website to contact her.

Read more about Strathmore Unleashed! here.

July 13, 2012
Custom Dog Breed Stamps by Lush Prints

Darby Stamp by Lush Prints

On Monday, I mentioned that I wanted to work my Lush Prints Darby stamp into my August collage. Although, it didn't make it into the final piece, the simple silhouette inspired me. And I wanted to share more about it with you in case you wanted to order a custom-made stamp of your own pup.

I heard about Lush Prints when the creative force behind the company contacted me to advertise here on Dog Art Today. The person has a gender-neutral name and likes to keep his/her identity private because there is a day job at a prestigious design company to consider. I was intrigued. But more than that, I fell in love with the stamps and wanted one. We negotiated a trade, one month of advertising in exchange for a stamp of Darby, perfect since both cost $35.

I sent off two silhouettes of Darby…

Love Chakra Darby

Moira and Darby by Moira McLaughlin, 20111

Lush Prints sent back some ideas…

Longhaired Dachshund Stamp Original Ideas

My feedback, "A hybrid of the head, tail, and feet of "C" and the body of "B" would be awesome." Became this…

Darby Stamp, work in progress

Which became this…

Darby Stamp, final

It makes me smile.

See the dog breed stamps available at the Lush Prints Etsy store. Or email them to custom order one of your own. The process is as fun as the stamp.

July 11, 2012
Tyler Foote: American Dog

Tyler Foote: American Dog* by Moira McLaughlin, July 4, 2012

Enjoy the 4th.

* Tyler Foote is a road in Nevada County, California built in 1913 by Arthur DeWint Foote, Mary Hallock Foote's husband. It connects North Columbia, California to a town called Cherokee that used to be called Tyler.

July 4, 2012
Sandy Lindblad: Backyards to Barnyards

Sally Wally

I've put off featuring Grass Valley artist Sandy Lindblad because I fist discovered her work at my vet's office when Darby was dying. At every visit during his last week, I ended up in the examining room with Sandy's Donna Wanna…

Donna Wanna

But, when I ran into Sandy this weekend at a local shopping center where she was promoting her art, and I could look at Donna Wanna without bursting into tears, I decided it's time. Also, right now Sandy's work is on view at a one-woman show called "Backyards to Barnyards" at the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council in Marysville, California.

I talk a lot on this blog about the fact that art matters. Sometimes that mantra hits me in new ways. Sandy's art was a great comfort to me during one of the hardest times of my life. And when I saw it again, I felt surprisingly connected to Darby. It was bittersweet. But mostly sweet.

If you've been thinking about putting your work in your local vet's office. Maybe you should. Art matters.

Here are some of my favorite pieces of Sandy's. Her work is as warm as she is.

Happy Dog

Ornery One

Snacks

Carol Jean

Like many of you, Sandy also does goats…

Happy Goats

See Sandy Lindblad's work at "Backyards to Barnyards" at the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council, on view until July 13, 2012.

Visit Lindblad Studios for more information.

July 2, 2012
First Film Review for Dogs in Art

"Stroll upstairs and be captivated by the breathtaking video of canine images throughout history by Moira McLaughlin of Dog Art Today. I walked through Strathmore mansion twice, hating to leave the memorable depictions and celebrations of dogs. I admit I stood and watched McLaughlin's magical video four times. While you can view a short version at Dogs Art Today's website, to stand in the glowing light of beautiful Strathmore gallery, inches from the crisply filmed, mysteriously unfolding images is a must." — Sarah A. Ferrell, Fredricksburg.com.

The Strathmore Unleashed! exhibit has ended, but you can view the film below. It is the full version, though the one on view at Stratmore was on a loop. See a list of all the dogs and artists here.

Before I was a dog artist I wanted to be a filmmaker.

Feels nice.

June 25, 2012
Dog Art Today Bumper Sticker Drive

DAT Euro-style Bumper Sticker for $7

Three times a year our local radio station does a membership drive, and I always say to myself, "I should do that for Dog Art Today." Then I don't. Because:

– Fundraising makes me uncomfortable.
– It always seems like a bad time; graduation, Father's Day, etc.

I finally decided if it's ok for KVMR, PBS, NPR, it's ok for DAT.

And I made these bumper stickers. To me they are a big deal, because growing up my parents were so repulsed by bumper stickers, the thought of putting one on your car would be like tattooing your face.

My First Bumper Sticker

Want to try it?

You're totally allowed to put a bumper sticker on your car.

And you will be showing your support for the dog art content and artists' community you've come to know and trust at Dog Art Today.

Buy your DAT Euro-style Bumper Sticker

$7 + free shipping

Tyler says, "Support Dog Art Today."

If funds are low, but you want to put a DAT bumper sticker on your car, email me and I will send you one.

If you just want to make a donation, that would be awesome too.

Thank you — Moira McLaughlin

June 11, 2012
Anna Wilson-Patterson’s Huts and Hounds Open Studio Tour

Untitled

I've had my eye on UK artist Anna Wilson-Patterson for a while. Her art speaks to me for many reasons; the blues, the hounds, the small-town life she celebrates. But what I think is most profound, and what I study when consider her art or visit her blog, is the sense of place she creates.

She lives in the village of Herstmonceux on the southeast coast of England. Many of her pieces depict the beaches of Sussex, but they also evoke the beaches in my mind's eye, the ones of childhood vacations and future adventures. Like the concept of terroir, that specificity of soil can distinguish a wine, I believe a sense of place can make a good painting great. I see it in the works of the most accomplished artists of Nevada County, where I live, and I see it in Anna Wilson-Patterson's work.

Often, when I am doing my own art or writing about others, it's all about the dogs. But, I know of several dog artists who have given up painting pet portraits because it has become to rote and too painful to disappoint clients. What I want to share through Anna Wilson-Patterson's work is to think about coming at dogs from a different perspective. She comes at dogs through village life, through the mist rolling in, through an abandoned shanty at low tide, and light coming from a certain window, and that, along with her sizeable talent elevates her work. And that is why I've had my eye on her since I first discovered her over a year ago.

As I said in Friday's post, try going outside. I am experimenting with such a crazy idea myself and finding it difficult to break away from my computer screen and my arty paraphernalia. But, I am doing it, and I want to offer that experiment to you. As always, let me know how it goes.

If you live in Sussex you have a rare opportunity to visit Anna Wilson-Patterson's studio (she lives in a former candy factory – how cool is that?) during her Huts and Hounds Studio Tour, June 1 – June 16, 2012.

Greyhound at Beach

Lurcher with Dangly Legs

Rye Harbor Railway Carriage

Speaking of a sense of place, Anna has a terrific video of her studio featuring her dogs Bea and Finn…

Huts and Hounds Open Studio Tour June 1 – June 16, 2012

Anna Wilson-Patterson's website and blog.

May 30, 2012
Ray Richardson’s English Bull Terriers

England Expects Something

The exhibition London's Top Dog at Ben Oakley Gallery features new works by Ray Richardson, who is known for his iconic English Bull Terrier paintings. Here are some of my favorites from his website.

The Penalty King

Chicago Cub

The Bounder

Kansas City

Minty

I'll Ave Arf

London's Top Dog, featuring new and different works by Ray Richardson, is on view now at Ben Oakely Gallery and runs until June 3, 2012.

May 21, 2012