Dog Art Today

Tag: fine art

  • Dog Art Today and Strathmore Unleashed!

     

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    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.

     

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    Man's Best Friend by David Corcoran

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    Pink Chihuahua by Sheila Cameron

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    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.

     

     

  • Intention Driven Dog Photography by Jesse Freidin

     

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    Bellami

    {Today, I am pleased to introduce you to my first guest blogger, Jesse Freidin.  Jesse is a fine art dog photographer based in San Francisco.  I met him last summer at the Mutt Lynch Winery's Dog Days of Summer and became a big fan.  — Moira} 
    As a professional fine art dog photographer, people have often asked me: “What exactly makes a photograph qualify as 'fine art?'  Is it the expensive equipment behind the image or the years of experience behind the artist? How can a photograph of a dog find inclusion is such a revered category?  And how can I make fine art portraits of my dog, too?”

    First, let's define the term.  Fine art is art produced for beauty rather than utility.  For photography that means creating an artistic image instead of a commercial or photojournalistic one.  To me, fine art means one thing: intention.  Massive, overwhelming, passionate intention that leaps from the image and hits the viewer inside the chest with a burst of emotion.  Capturing and sharing these breathtaking feelings, seeing tears spring to my clients' eyes when they see the photographs of their beloved canines, hearing the catch in their breath as the images radiate the spirit and love of their companions — this is what drives and inspires me as an artist.

    Intention then must be balanced with other elements like composition, relationship, and a strong dose of compassion.  A fine art dog portrait is the anti-snapshot.  It portrays a sense of undeniable devotion that captures the canine-human bond.

    To help you along your own creative path, here are a few things you can keep in mind while photographing your canine companion:

    • Intention.  Do you want to capture your pet's soulful gaze, sense of humor, or the sleek lines of his body in motion?  Dogs are like preschoolers.  They have a limited attention span so think about your goal before starting your photo session.

    • Compose thoughtfully.  Place your dog in an environment that not only lights him well (near a window or inside an open doorway), but also celebrates his own personal style.  For example, when I photograph dogs with beautifully patterned coats, I purposefully place them near fun textures and patterns to highlight their unique appearances.

    • Consider your relationship and try to capture it on film.  Intimacy comes from bringing your point of view to your subject's point of view.  Try lying on the floor while photographing your dog in his favorite bed or rolling around in the grass with your camera while you and your dog play tug.

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    Thoughtful intention combined with intimacy will produce an image that truly reflects the connection you have with your dog.  Believe me, this new sense of intentionality will help your images come alive.  Good luck and don’t be afraid to get a little dirty!

    If you are a professional dog photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, I would love to hear any of your tips too.  Visit my website to see more of my work. — Jesse Freidin