Dog is Love
Today I am kicking off a new series called Studio Spotlight where artists share their work, their workspaces, and their dog art with readers. Given that it is also Valentine’s Day, I knew painter and photographer
Tamandra Michaels of San Diego would be the perfect artist to initiate the series. Tamandra’s company is called
Heart Dog Studios and many of her works, including a whole “Dog is Love” series on
Etsy, are devoted to her signature paw-printed hearts. But, let me let Tamandra tell you herself. Here goes…
1. How did you get started as a dog artist?
I was living in LA, pursuing an acting career, and took a painting
class for fun at Santa Monica college. That turned out to be
serendipitous. The instructor was an incredibly intellectual man, a
wealth of knowledge on the art world, and I learned a lot from him
that went far beyond learning to paint. I worked on a painting of my
dog at the time, and it just flowed so quickly, the instructor nodded
in approval, saying “good, now do a series”.
I found that I really loved putting my feeling for dogs into paint
strokes on canvas. It brought me full circle back to my youth, where I
was constantly drawing animals, making something two dimensional have
“life.”
That dog who was the subject of my first painting died suddenly
a couple weeks later, ironically while my piece was hanging in my
first art show. I was really grateful to have done some paintings of
him. As traumatic a loss as that was, it allowed Borias to come into
my life. And what an incredible gift he is. I don’t believe in
coincidences. He was most certainly meant to share life with me. I
learn so much from him. The universe gave me exactly what I needed, a soul mate. He’s the reason I started my business, Heart Dog Studios, named after my heart dog.
Tamandra and Borias
2. What is your favorite medium and why?
It’s really hard to decide, as I love oil painting so much…but I’ve
also fallen head over wheels in love with photography. It’s painting
with light. I adore exploring, the thrill of finding moments to
capture, freezing them in that split second of time. Moments that
would be lost otherwise. It came so naturally because I’ve always
been an observer, seeing those moments of beauty in everyday life that capture me. H aving a camera encourages the capacity to see even
deeper. Light, shapes, expression, and emotion. I’m a sucker for
emotional content.
3. How would you describe your art?
I like my images to show that very special spark that makes each dog
unique. (Really yummy lighting is a bonus! ) When you look into a
dog’s eyes, I don’t see how one can help but see their soul. They make
us more human. I want to tell their story, capture their spirit and
special personality. I like to catch moments as they happen. I also
love to show the relationship with their humans, but the focus is
still the dog. I share their perspective I think. I’m permanently at
their level, being in a wheelchair. A lot of my images show the
intrigue they have with that, but then how they see past that, and
just see me.
So my work is about showing the heart and soul of these amazing beings.
4. What are your 3 your favorite pieces?
The first is a portrait of my dog that I painted from a photo taken
by another photographer who perfectly captured his signature look.
The head tilt, and inquisitive, intelligent gaze. So using that as a
springboard, I infused my feelings into the piece, which flowed out of
me effortlessly. (Not a common occurrence with painting!) It’s one
painting that I’m completely happy with.
Mamma’s Boy
Then, I would say I love this
image of Borias that I caught when I happened to have my camera on my
bed with me. He was lying down, with his head on a large sheepskin
ball — his favorite toy — with such a look of adoration and contentment. It’s an image that I’m going to commission my best friend, a
figurative oil painter, to do for me.
Borias and his favorite toy.
Then, there’s an image I took of
a young guy with a surfboard at dog beach. He and his Mastiff mix are
gazing at each other. That one makes me reflect on what it’s all
about. Sharing our lives and our journey together. Two completely
different species, yet in complete understanding and communion.
Communion
5. Tell me about your studio; is it how you want it to be? Plans
for reorganizing? Wish list?
Heart Dogs Sudio
My studio is a work in progress. Literally. I very recently moved from
suburbia to the city, which took about three long years to make
happen. I’m really enjoying taking this little spare room in my house
and making it my sanctuary, a (hopefully) organized space that’s
conducive to creativity and growth. It’s a challenge with a small
space…I so love Ikea!
With the much appreciated help from my
friends, we’re making a place for all my books and magazines, and an
efficient work area, a place to do business, and be organized. Ever
the challenge for me. And I love that I can just go outside my door,
explore this great neighborhood with Borias, and find inspiration all
around me. We’ve spent a lot of time here already, hanging out in Balboa
Park, at the zoo, exploring downtown, and just roving these amazing
older neighborhoods, connecting with others out walking their dogs.
Seems everyone walks their dogs here. Now it’s in our own back yard. It’s ‘our’ neighborhood.
Borias and the San Diego skyline.
Borias at the San Diego Art Museum.
Borias loves the fountain at Balboa Park.
6. Upcoming projects or goals for the future?
I hope to grow my art and photography business now that I’ve
relocated to such a dog-centric area. I plan to develop my brand
further, and work on the marketing side. I also want to use my work
to help out more animal charities. I’d like to do a series about dogs
with disabilities with their people, and people with disabilities with
their dog, how strong and wonderful a bond comes from that. A coffee
table book celebrating the magic of dogs seems like a natural next
step that I look forward to taking. Currently, I have taken the leap
into writing a book about my heart dog, which is something I’ve toyed
with doing for awhile. I started a blog about our life together (find
it at
myheartdog.com), and I began to really feel a need to write in
depth about our journey.
Dog is Love
MM: Thank you, Tamandra, for sharing your beautifully heartfelt work with us and showing us your studio.
If you are an artist who would like to be featured in the next Studio Spotlight email me with a link to your website, a description of your studio, and plans for the future. As artists, I know we are all works in progress.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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