Tag: jane o’hara

Beasts of Burden and Compassion Arts Festival NYC

Sacrifice by Jane O'Hara, 2005

New York friends, I wanted to remind you that "Beasts of Burden: Our Complex Relationship with Animals" will be on view October 20 – 22 in NYC.

The exhibition is part of the Compassion Arts Festival, a weekend of song, artistry, discussion, film, and performances reflecting our multifaceted relationships with the earth and the animals we share it with.

There are two "Beast of Burden" events, the art show and a multimedia performance by curator, artist, and activist, Jane O'Hara.

If there's one piece that exemplifies the show for me, its Jane's Sacrifice (above), a 5-foot tall screen that depicts nine animals wearing vestments of the companies that killed them. It's inspired by iconic paintings of Christian martyrs and the notion that millions of animals sacrifice their lives to powerful forces everyday in similarly barbaric ways.

I think it will be moving to see this piece in person.

Also, I'm proud to have my work, Twelve dox-ZENs, included.

Twelve dox-ZENs by Moira McLaughlin, 2014

I produced this work in the in the wake of the death of my beloved longhaired Dachshund named Darby. For months, I was crippled by grief and creative paralysis.

Finally, I decided to paint dozens of sumi-e ink Darbys on the pages of a deconstructed book, Buddhism and Zen by Nyogen Senzaki and Ruth Strout McCandless. The series is a meditation on the Buddhist concept that the mind is an endless cycle of three processes: craving, acting, and discontentment.

dox-ZEN XII

Exhibition: "Beasts of Burden: Our Complex Relationship with Animals"

TUF Gallery/O’Hara Projects
208 East 73 St.
New York, NY 10021

Opening Reception and Book Signing: Friday, Oct 20, 2017, 5 – 8 pm (vegan friendly & free to the public)

Gallery Hours: Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 am – 6pm

Performance: "Reflections on Beasts of Burden by Jane O'Hara"

Saturday, October 21, 7:30pm

Symphony Space/Leonard Nimoy Theatre
2537 Broadway
New York, NY10025

Tickets for Jane's multimedia presentation are $20 in advance and $25 day of show available here.

Visit Beasts of Burden for more information about this exhibition and performance.

For information about all the animal-centric events happening this weekend visit Compassion Arts Festival.

P.S. Sadly I won't be able to attend. If you have a chance to take photos, I would love to see them. Tag me on Instagram and Twitter.

Thank you so much. Enjoy!

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October 18, 2017
Beasts of Burden in NYC

“Beasts of Burden”

I’m excited to announce that an expanded version of the 2012 show “Beasts of Burden,” curated by Jane O’Hara, will be on view in New York City, October 20 – 22, 2017 at TUF Gallery, 208 East 73 Street.

Opening night reception is Friday, October 20, 5-8 pm.

The exhibition includes the work of 14 artists exploring our complex relationship with animals:

Tony Bevilacqua
Denise Lindquist
Ariel Bordeaux
Nancy Diessner
Karen Fiorito
Raul Gonzalez lll
Adonna Khare
Wendy Klemperer
Jo-Anne McArthur
Moira McLaughlin
Moby
Jane O’Hara
Julia Oldham
Gedas Paskauskas

My series “Twelve dox-ZENs” will be on view. This time they will be for sale individually ($400 each) or together ($2400). I’ll have another post on this soon.

The show is part of the Compassion Arts & Culture and Animals Festival, a weekend-long celebration of song, artistry, discussion, film, and performances reflecting our multifaceted relationships with animals and the earth we share.

The festival is presented by two prestigious entities: Culture & Animals Foundation, a non-profit committed to supporting artists and scholars in advancing our understanding of and commitment to animals, and Compassion Arts, a creative arts and education initiative dedicated to expanding the way we see animals, nature, each other, and ourselves.

In addition to the exhibition, curator Jane O’Hara will perform a multi-media reflection on “Beasts of Burden” featuring song, video, spoken word and art in collaboration with singer-songwriter Joy Askew and poet Gretchen Primack, Saturday night at 7:30 pm at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, NY, NY.

Tickets for the performance are $20 each or $25 day of show ($10 for children and students). Click here to order yours.

There are many other animal-centric events throughout the weekend you might be interested in.

Visit Compassion Arts Festival for more information.

September 20, 2017
Jane O’Hara Profiled on Hund und Kunst

Dog Looking Up by Jane O'Hara, 2004

Viennese dog artist and dog-art blogger Petra Hartl presents a beautiful retrospective of ten years of Jane O'Hara's dogs at Hund und Kunst. The Google translation is here.

Jane O'Hara is curating "Beasts of Burden" in Boston, March 13 – May 5, 2014.

February 28, 2014
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
Studio Spotlight: Jane O’Hara

Jane O'Hara

I met artist Jane O'Hara (virtually, not in person yet) last summer when we both participated in the Just Dogs show at La Motta Fine Art in Hartford CT. I became a big fan of her work, awed by her fearless compositions and soulful take on animals' sensibilities. After the show, we kept in touch and I have followed her blog, The Animal Lounge, and become even more impressed with her commitment to animal causes. She is a frequent contributor to PETA campaigns and an ardent advocate for the dignity of all animals. So, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Jane O'Hara…

1. How did you get started as a dog artist?

I used to do portraits of people, and while I think I have a good ability to get a likeness, I was always stressed about how the subject wanted to be seen, what they think they look like! As of yet animals have not exhibited such concerns! I just love dogs..all animals. They amuse me no end so I love to paint them. I want to say something about that animal…whether its their cuteness, vulnerability, their bigger than life personality….whatever it is about them that strikes me.

Cenotes Pup

2. What is your favorite medium and why?

I like to use acrylics, I actually am a fan of how they dry fast..a typical criticism. I often incorporate different mediums in the paintings too. Venetian plaster, gold leaf, graphite powder. I've used beads, pearls , broken glass and other things in the 'framing' of some pieces which adds to the comment I am making about that dog. Cenotes Pup has broken glass on the edge as this was a dog who basically hung out in a dirt parking lot of the Cenotes dive site in the middle of Mexico – looking for sandwich remnants. I also like to work on different surfaces – heavily grained wood blocks, canvas, metallic sheets.

3. How would you describe your art?

I look at animals as spiritual beings — wise, playful and full of integrity. There is a humorous and ironic quality to my artwork. I'll place animals in unnatural settings as a comment on the human tendency to impose. I paint their unsuspecting response to this and show the dignity, confusion, fear or pleasure that they might experience. I am aware of animals as the vulnerable beings that need us for their care, protection and quality of life. While I love doing animal portraits, I also love to use art as a means to help the cause of animals less fortunate than the animal companion population. A portion of my giclee sales go to PETA, and I also have and will continue to donate paintings to various causes I like.

4. What are your 3 your favorite pieces?

Two Dogs Sleeping, 36" x 48"

Listening, 6" x 12"

Dog Looking Up, 9" x 9"

5. Tell me about your studio; is it how you want it to be? Plans for the reorganizing? Wish list?

My studio is not hugely important to me believe it or not. i have worked on the floor, on my lap, a desk, kitchen table, in the field, north light, electric light, and whatever time of daylight. The studio you see here is great, a space where I can leave everything out, and you can see I do just that – a mess!

After I finish a painting I clean up and reorganize, and through the process of each painting I get messier and more claustrophobic. I usually have several things going at once. My wish list consists of time and money to throw myself into my artwork more and more. I have a studio in Boston, and here in Little Compton RI, so I am blessed with plenty of studio space.

Jane's studio before.

Jane's studio after.

6. Upcoming projects or goals for the future?

I am working on 4 series of animals paintings which I am in the midst of. I want to address the concept of animals being used for entertainment, clothing, factory farms and animal testing. I also am always on the lookout for another portrait commission. I have just finished two and am looking forward to another!

7. Finally, I always like to include artists' pets.

Meet Nellie, who, in this shot, is imitating a bunny in preparation for Easter:

Nellie/Bunny

Thank you, Jane, for letting us take a peek into your process. For more information visit Jane O'Hara's website and blog.

Artists, if you would like to be considered for a Dog Art Today Studio Spotlight email me with a link to your website.

(If you like this post, please leave a comment or subscribe to Dog Art Today. This blog is powered by traffic from readers like you. Thank you for visiting!)

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March 31, 2009
Recap: Just Dogs at La Motta Fine Art

Dogs and their owners showed up last Saturday for the opening reception of Just Dogs at La Motta Fine Art in Hartford, CT. As I previously mentioned, several of my collages and my film Dogs in Art are in the show.

Galley owner, Janice La Motta, was very pleased with the reception and noted that there was great range of dog parading in and out all day, surprisingly no duplicate breeds.

The fabulous Monica McLaughlin (no relation as far as we know) of Plans for Pups came in from Manhattan with her two Westies, Missy Paulette and Casey Jane, dressed up for the occasion and took some photos for me, as did fellow artist Jane O’Hara, in from Rhode Island with her husband, artist Gedas Paskauskas.

Gary Steinborn’s Venice Clay Dogs grace the window.

Janice La Motta and Jane O’Hara

Any Basset Hound art?

Monica McLaughlin with Missy Paulette, Casey Jane, and new friend who loved them both.

Dog art lovers mix and mingle. (See my movie on a pedestal. I love it!)

Moira McLaughlin originals.

Also, my collage Greyhound’s Goddess sold to art collector Linda Cheverton Wick and her husband, artist Walter Wick of the I Spy book series. Needless to say, I am thrilled!

Sold!

Just Dogs at La Motta Fine Art runs until August 22, 2008.

More Information:

La Motta Fine Art
11 Whitney Street
Hartford, CT 06105
860.680.3596

August 2, 2008
Just Dogs at La Motta Fine Art

The Starlet by Moira McLaughlin

I am very excited to announce that I will be a part of gallery owner Janice La Motta's upcoming exhibition, Just Dogs, at La Motta Fine Art in Hartford, CT on July 26th. Four of my original collages and four limited edition prints will be on view along with my recent film Dogs in Art.

I am very honored to be included with eight other talented dog artists from across the country; Bill Bonecutter, Eric Ginsburg, Jane O'Hara, Dana Rose Lee, Leslie Enders Lee, Peter McCaffrey, Chuck Rigg, and Gary Steinborn, the last two whom, I am proud to say, Janice found on my blog.

Here is a taste of some of the works that will be on display.

Lotti by Leslie Enders Lee

Red Ball by Jane O'Hara

Boss-Tweed by Eric Ginsburg

There will also be a selection of 19th century dog prints on view. And best of all, dogs are weclome!

Information:

Just Dogs
Reception: Sat. July 26, 2-5 pm

La Motta Fine Art
11 Whitney Street
Hartford, CT 06105
860.680.3596

Show runs until August 22, 2008

8.11.08 Update: See pictures and a recap of the show here.

July 8, 2008