NotMatisse

I was a journalist before I was an artist so writing little essays about the dogs I paint is fun for me. I remember a clothing catalog called Traveler Smith that had essays about the clothing it sold and sent people on an imaginary, magical journey to far away places with each purchase. The doggie bios can take you to the heart and soul to the deep connections between the dogs and their humans.

The story surrounding my interest in dogs involves every aspect of me...my childhood love for dogs, my interest in shelter animals, my switch to oils after years of using acrylics and even the very ownership of my property.

First about painting the dogs. Kiefer at Page and Palette in Fairhope gave me a deal on water mixable oils. I had wanted to use oils...I love the buttery consistency, but I hated the idea of using toxic solvents to clean my brushes. Kiefer's offer gave me an opportunity to try a new medium.

Mike, the director at The Haven for Animals, encouraged me to paint during an adoption event held the same weekend as an art festival. A woman who adopted a little shih tzu asked me to paint all nine of her rescues. Another family had me paint a pair of Lhaso Apsos (Katrina rescues), an elderly Australian Shepherd and tabby cat for her grandmother and Prissy, a Yorkie for the other grandmother. That brought me to 14 commissions for the event.

I went to some adoption events in Mobile -- Cinco de Spayo, where I painted a little chihuahua and a mastiff, both of which have since been adopted. I took all those paintings to Art in the Park in Foley and took Best of Show, which brought with it a thousand dollar award. That all took place in less than two months.

In the next two months (this was 2012) someone wanted to license my work and I had two shows in Mobile. I had to borrow the commissions to have enough work at the Host Gallery and I painted a new piece I called "You Threw Out My Tennis Ball?" for The Mobile Arts Council's "Dog Days of Summer" fundraiser.

The Garage Studio in Point Clear (Amanda, Bill and staff) has encouraged me to keep painting and kept the money flowing. The Garage is an art deco building a mile south of The Grand Hotel on Scenic 98. It is home to a shop with funky, unique gifts and great art. As a painter, my money has been in painting on huge canvases with big brushes and lots of fast drying acrylic paint. Often my pieces sell while they are still wet. Much of the time, I don't even get to meet the people who buy my art.

The best part of painting the dogs is working one-on-one with my clients and delivering the piece. I have had clients cry, dance and jump up and down upon delivery. I don't think I could have pleased them more if I had delivered a baby, their baby, and in some ways I guess I have. Most people who order pet portraits love their four-legged companions as family.

The little essays associated with my pet portraits are true. Very few of the samples are actually available except those of the shelter dogs and of course I will paint another shelter dog and tell their story when those sell.

Thank you for visiting my Etsy shop. I look forward to meeting you.