Colorado artist Dana Hawk continues to delight with her love of patterns, humor, and, of course, dogs. Here are some of her new works recently featured in Artist's Magazine's "Dog Daze" article.
Hawk was originally featured on Dog Art Today in May 2010. I highly recommend you click through and see her sensational paintings.
Visit Dana Hawk's website to see more.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Aren't Lauri Luck's dog paintings perfect for the first day of Spring? They capture that feeling of wanting to take an extra-long walk, but being happy to get back to a home with lots of blankets.
I especially love her painting of the dogs under the table filled with paints. Every dog artist knows that point of view. Luck got it just right.
Lauri Luck lives in Sonoma County, California. See more of her work at James Snidle Fine Arts and on her Facebook Page.
London-based artist Georgia Fiennes’s website is called Very Fine Animals. How typically understated — British — for such spectacular work. Click through to see her cows hanging from chandeliers, giraffes in tea cups, and bejeweled pelicans. You can commission a Georgia Fiennes original of your very fine animal here.
See more at Georgia Fiennes Very Fine Animals.
Via Miles to Style.
Kent Ambler has over 100 dog-shaped paintings installed at the Art & Light Gallery in Greenville, South Carolina. Via Design * Sponge. Hat tip to Patti Haskins for letting me know.
London artist Charming Baker is influenced by “cheap books, heroes, girls, Zulus, odd-looking women, suburbia, da riddum, family, stories, horses, dogs, packaging, summer holidays, the smell of make-up and cheap perfume, powertools, tea, tomatoes, Britain in colour.”
He’s been painting pretty much unnoticed for over 20 years. Then in 2009, he signed with music manager Pat Magnarella and became an overnight sensation at age 47. Read about Baker’s path outside the traditional gallery system here. I found his work at Viennese artist Petra Hartl’s truly awesome dog art blog Hundkunst. Translation here.
Charming Baker’s website.
Seriously, visit Petra’s dog art blog. I think you will love it.
Petra Hartl’s website, too.
I finished the June college of my Longhaired Dachshund calendar this morning. I have lots to tell you about how it came together, but not today.
Wishing you all the best in 2012.
One of my first collages of my little elf.
Thank you for your continued support. It has been powerful to connect with you as I make my way through the sadness and find the joy again. I am deeply grateful.
Wishing you a happy holiday season and wonderful new year! — Moira
