Dog Art Today

Pilgrim's Dogs

I had no idea that two dogs, a Mastiff and an English Springer Spaniel, were aboard the Mayflower.  They are mentioned in records of the settlement of Plymouth Colony written by Edward Winslow in 1622.  They seemed to have belonged to John Goodman and probably had pet names, but none are given.  Read about some of their adventures here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Prep with Jesse Freidin and Pancake

Tiny Squash

(traveling doggie bowl from South Paw, Embarcadero)

{Another wonderful guest post from San Francisco fine art photographer Jesse Freidin.}

I'm allergic to standing in line, so I decided to take my better half (Pancake the Dog) with me as I browsed a few of my favorite local shops for Thanksgiving items. Pancake served as Quality Control when we got back to the studio, and says everything smells delicious. Guess we're ready to cook! -- Jesse Freidin.

Squeak

(turkey dog toy from Noe Valley Pet Co, Noe Valley)

So Many Chocolates

(seasonal chocolates from: Miette, Hayes Valley)

Sniff

(fresh organic wrapped salmon from Drewes Bros Meats, Noe Valley)

In The Pan

(organic produce from Golden Produce, Castro)

See more of Jesse Friedin's photography (and more of Pancake) here.

Tim Burton Opens at MOMA

1997 Polaroid by Tim Burton

A retrospective of Tim Burton's work opens at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC today.  The exhibition "considers Burton's career as a director, producer, writer, and concept artist for live-action and animated films, along with his work as a fiction writer, photographer and illustrator."  It runs until April 26, 2010.  Visit MOMA for more information.

Happy Birthday, Darby!

Hollywood Darby

Two years ago, Darby was diagnosed with cancer and had his kidney removed.  The doctors said the surgery might give him another year.  When I came to pick him up after a week of post-op, he scampered out to  greet me with Frankenstein staples and a plastic cone, tail wagging and eyes bright.  I desperately hoped I would have more than a year with my little Doughboy.  Today, he turns fifteen.  I am so grateful I was able to give him that operation and he is still going strong.  He has been totally game about uprooting our lives and helping me create a new home in Grass Valley.  Thank you, Darby for being my dog, my co-pilot, and the best thing that ever happened to me.  Love - Moira.

P.S. Darby's friend Chewy is coming over for a birthday party. I got him a gluten-free organic apple pie from the local bakery and a cardboard roll from a used package of Saran Wrap.  He's thrilled.

Andy Warhol's Little Red Hen Book

I knew Andy Warhol began his career illustrating advertisements of women's shoes .  But I had no idea he also dabbled in children's books.  A copy of his illustrated version of The Little Red Hen created for the Best in Children’s Books issued by the Doubleday Book Club between 1957 and 1961 will be auctioned at Bloomsbury Auction House in NY on December 9.  Estimated at $500 - $600, it sounds like a steal to me.

Visit Bloomsbury Auctions for more information.  Via BBC News.

P.S. In case you don't remember this classic fable, "it extols the virtues of hard work by showing the hen toiling in a field while a lazy cat, dog, and mouse look on,"  a lesson Andy embodied throughout his prolific career.