This is how I feel today. Not depressed. Just cozy and in love with my dog.
Elina Brotherus has a show right now in London at The Wapping Project Bankside until October 23, 2010. She was recently profiled by Skye Sherwin in the Guardian UK. Visit her website to see more of her work.
Britain's The Independent is doing an interesting Great Art Series. They recently featured this powerful and mysterious painting by Francisco de Goya simply entitled The Dog.
Tom Lubbock writes:
It's a frightful picture of dream-like helplessness and despair. It's
also a demonstration of the power of simplicity. Goya's The Dog is one
of his so-called "Black Paintings", the sequence of murals, usually
with nightmarish subjects, that the artist painted on the walls of the
Quinta del Sordo, a country house outside Madrid he occupied in the
early 1820's.
Read his full analysis here. It's fascinating.
(Click on image for a larger view.)
Hello, my name is Moira and I’m a phillumenist.
phil·lu·men·ist \fi-_lü-m_-nist\ n. One who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels.
It happened for me almost immediately when I discovered Jane McDevitt’s collection of Eastern European mid-century matchbox labels on Flickr. From there, I moved on to ebay where I bought eight dog-themed labels from a Dutch dealer named Stampede. Now, I’m shouting it out to the world and I don’t care who hears. I love matchbox labels!
If you do too, here are some of my favorites that I put on a line of t-shirts, sweatshirts, kids and baby clothes that you might enjoy.
The Dog vintage matchbox label from India. Women’s long sleeved black t-shirt.
The Swedish Dog matchbox label men’s t-shirt. I love the Shepard Fairey style. Or maybe Shepard Fairey has a Swedish Dog matchbox style.
Three Poodles matchbox label from Sweden. Again, it’s got a little Fairey in it. This pink t-shirt would be great for Valentine’s day!
Laika the Russian space dog vintage matchbox label on a kids baseball jersey.
Adorable Scottie and Westie onesie with The Dog brand vintage matchbox label from Macau.
See my whole line here with many non-dog images including zoo animals and space travel.
Dachshunds rank number 6 on the list of most popular dog breeds in the U.S. Obviously they rank number 1 in my mind as I grew up with a Wirehaired Dachshund named Rhett and now live wtih a Longhaired Dachshund named Darby. So, I’ll admit it, Doxies are my favorite. Here are some Christmas gift ideas for the Dachshund obsessed people in your life.
This image entitled “dox-ZEN” still proves to be one of my most popular designs. Seen here on a 5.5″x5.5″ keepsake box made of hardwood and ceramic tile. It’s perfect for holding jewelry, momentos, keys, etc. Here is a generic side view:
Also, 4 coasters fit perfectly inside. A nice gift for your cocktail Wienie Dog friends.
I featured this design in an earlier Christmas cards post, but I think it’s extra sweet with Dachshunds pulling Santa’s sleigh. It reminds me of little Max pulling the Grinch down to Who-Ville.
I posted about this book Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund’s Odyssey
If you want the real thing, or at least a reproduction of the real thing, how about Picasso’s famous Dachshund drawing, The Dog. Presented in a crisp black and white matte with an elegant black frame. Pure genius!
My Wirehaired Dachshund Angel ornament spreads the message of peace I think we are all craving this year.
My Mother surprised me with this book for Christmas one year, Day of the Dachshund
I just sold one of these Dachshund totes yesterday. It’s looking like my Striped Dachshund gifts – mugs, cards, t-shirts, aprons – are going to be the big sellers for me this year.
Holiday Doxie Christmas Cards with a Picasso vibe.
Pierre Bonnard is one of my favorite painters, and not just because little brown Dachshunds frequently appear in his work. Well truth be told, that’s what made me notice him, but then I fell in love with his color palette and the Asian influence in his work.
The Vigil is one of his paintings that makes my heart hurt I love it so much. I often place Darby on a pillowed chair and pull him next to me while I work. He’s happy to keep me company for hours and his presence gives me a sense of calm. The Vigil so perfectly captures a Dachshund’s devotion and the peace he bestows by simply being your pet.
Groovy Doxie t-shirt with a Puma-style graphic. Click here to see all my Puma-style t-shirts in lots of great colors and styles. Email me to add your breed.
No Dachshund owner should be without a copy of David Hockney’s Dog Days
Click here to read more about famous Dachshunds in history from Stacy (a 3 Doxie owner) of Mental Floss Magazine.