Dog Art Today

Dog Christmas Cards

I've been featuring Christmas cards with dogs since August, but now it's for real.  Order your holiday cards today!

Wire Fox Terrier Christmas cards from Great Dane & Dog Art.

Super cute Pug Christmas cards from Linda O'Neill's Abby Creek Art.

Border Collie Christmas cards from My Treat.

Warm fuzzy English Setter Christmas cards from Another Chance for English Setters.

Retro style Poodle Christmas card from Eclectic Muse.

Boxer Christmas cards from Pup Lovers Shop.

Here's a great selection of custom Christmas cards from Jill Beninato of Sit. Stay Smile. Photography.   Contact her to create personalized holiday cards with your dog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The First Thanksgiving painted by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, early 20th century.  You'll notice it's all about the dog!

I am taking the rest of the week off.  I hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving!  I'll be back on Monday with some great gifts for dog lovers for the holidays.

Candy Adams + Zoe Win Photo Album Contest!

Zoe

Congratulations to Dog Art Today reader, Candy Adams, who won my Angels With Fur Photo Album Contest.  Candy's name was selected at random from everyone who submitted photos to my new online album.   To be honest Candy might have won if it were an actual photography contest.   I simply love this sweet close up of her pup, Zoe, whom she described as:

"Feisty, Fearless, believes her 12 pound body is as big as an 80 pound Lab! My little rescue learns so quickly, is my loyal companion and I'm honoured to have her love...AND all of this is wrapped up in FUNNY! She starts my day with a laugh and ends my day with a smile; it doesn't get any better!"

Candy told me she has an interest in learning more about photography, but claimed she just "got lucky" with this terrific Zoe photo.  I told her that I don't believe in luck when it comes to composition and having a good eye.  I definitely think she should pursue her interest and I think winning this contest is a sign that she is headed in the right direction.

For her prize, Candy chose one of my all time most popular designs, The Striped Dachshund Puppy.  It's kind of hard to see on the mug...

Here is the full image available as a print at my Etsy store...

It is also available on t-shirts, baby clothes, pillows, greeting cards, tote bags and ornaments at my CafePress store.

Thank you, everyone who entered.  I can't tell you how fun it was to open my email and meet all these fabulous dogs, each one so precious and individual.  I also enjoyed getting to know many of you who regularly read my blog who I didn't know by name.  Please feel free to share any comments and suggestions with me.  I love hearing from you.

P.S.  The contest is over, but you can always submit your dog to my Angels With Fur Album.  All dogs are welcome.

The Obama Dog Blog: My New Blog on CNN!

So, I have been moonlighting.  I started a new blog called The Obama Dog Blog as a place for all the First Puppy stories I came across that were not arty enough for Dog Art Today.  Then, this morning I got an email from Gaz the Cartoonist, whom I featured on my new blog, saying that we had been on CNN last night.   Needless to say I am quite thrilled, but please know that this in now way diminishes my passion for my first love (and first blog Dog Art Today).  I guess this is what having two dogs (or children) must feel like.

Anyway, if you come across any fun, funny or creative Obama dog news please email me.  Any and all tips are greatly appreciated.

Kim Kimbro: To My Widow

A very small measure of warmth

I am looking forward to what looks like a powerful show at Lawrence Asher Gallery this Saturday November 22.  Kim Kimbro's haunting images, including these three dog oil paintings, were inspired by archival photographs of the doomed 1912 exploration of the South Pole by British explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

The show's title, To My Widow, is taken from the letter Scott wrote to his wife and was found on his body 11 miles from the warm supply hut stocked food.  The paintings' titles are derived from passages from the letter as well.

I could tell you of this journey

Waking or sleeping

Visit Kim's website to see all the images.

Or stop by Lawrence Asher Gallery for the opening reception 6-10 pm. Show runs until December 20, 2008.

Info: Lawrence Asher Gallery 5820 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel.: 323.935.9100

Happy Birthday Darby!

Baby Darby, 12 weeks old

This was from the first roll of film I took of Darby 14 years ago. I had no idea how my life was about to change. That I could love this little guy so much and wake up the next day loving him even more. That I would become a crazy dog person after a life of being oblivious to dogs. My company, my art, my friends, all grew out of the bizarre chance-happening that, much to my amazement, Darby entered my life. I feel beyond lucky, I feel profoundly blessed that somehow he found me, and I had the sense to trust him.

Happy Birthday, Darby. I love you more than you can imagine and you have earned that new stuffed duck that's coming with us to our house. (Just as soon as I swing by Petco.)

P.S. I am super excited that the fabulous Grace Chon is coming over for a Darby photo shoot tomorrow. Can't wait to see the photos and share them with you.

Marjorie Weiss: Black Dogs at Chestertown

Joe's Black Dog

Mastering silhouettes is the sign of virtuosity.  An artist must confront the challenge of featureless black space and rely solely on composition and color to pull off a successful piece.  Marjorie Weiss's black dog paintings are a perfect example, deceivingly simple yet profoundly executed.  Like other favorite silhouette artists, Kara Walker and Joseph O. Holmes, I am in awe.

After a career as a photorealist painter, in 1997 Weiss created this painting based on an old advertising postcard: 

Black Dog in Chestertown

Artistically something obviously clicked for her and she has gone on to paint dozens of images in her Chestertown dog series.  Look closely and you can appreciate her ability to use acrylics to achieve bold hues and delicate, almost watercolor-like softness.   Many of my artist readers will know achieving watercolor-like softness even with watercolors is a feat.  Weiss's deftness with color and brushstroke is inspired

Lady with Spaniel

Chestertown Shore

Day In, Day Out

Show Day in Chestertown

Wally Wins Again

Visit Weiss's website to see more of her work, buy and original painting, digital print, or greeting card.  She has many dog breeds including Pointers, Dachshunds, Labs, French Bulldogs, Westies, Jack Russells, Scotties, and more. 

Nina Berman Extended at Jen Bekman

Border Watcher with Dogs, Arizona and Mexico border, 2008

Nina Berman's photo exhibit, Homeland, has been extended to November 29, 2008 at Jen Bekman's Gallery in NYC.  Through her photos, Berman set out to explore "the issues of militarism, security and identity in contemporary America" in a post 9-11 world. 

In the shiny, happy post-election glow, the show is a sobering reminder of the deep-rooted aggression and glorification of war that fuels our country and defines us to ourselves and around the world.

Information:

6 spring street new york city 10012 tel: 212.219.0166 info@jenbekman.com