Dog Art Today

Tim Racer and His Carousel Dogs

Chloe a Jack Russell-Pit Bull

San Francisco artist Tim Racer began his career in the 2D world of advertising and editorial assignments. As a former tree trimmer, he was drawn to more hands on work, which he found assisting master carousel painter Pam Hessey.

Today, he happily spends his time restoring landmark carousels throughout the country and custom carving the magnificent dogs seen here.

He also is a passionate advocate for Pit Bulls, co-founding the Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls, or BAD RAP. I'm guessing Sally, Racer's own Pit Bull and model, is one of the group's best ambassadors...

Smiling Sally on the left

...and clearly one of his greatest inspirations.

Sally the Pit Bull rocker

Cali a Chow-Retriever

Nikki a Malamute

Buster a Pit Bull-Mastiff.

To enquire about commissioning a carousel dog or rocker of your pet contact Tim Racer.

Story courtesy of the fabulous Mimi's Mutt Nutt site.

iBone: The Plush New Gadget For Your Dog!

All the cool dogs have one. And yours can too for the very reasonable price of $12. Order online from Your Dog Will Dig It.

Ignore your dog's high tech needs at your own risk. He might take a liking to one of your fun toys...

(iBone spotted on the talented dog artist Rebecca Collins's Art Dog Blog. "My Dog Ate My iPod Shuffle" courtesy of laughtonb's Flickr site.

Zhou Chunya's Green Dogs Invade Indonesia

Green Dog Sculpture 2006

Contemporary Chinese artist Zhou Chunya's famous Green Dogs are on display at the Indonesian National Gallery from now until February 1. Zhou's work, an intriguing mix of traditional Chinese painting and German Expressionism (he recieved his master's degree in Kassel, Germany) has become identified with his famous Green Dog, who is based on his pet German Shepherd who he painted for over 10 years.

Sadly, the dog has since passed away from suspicious circumstances. Zhou believes he was poisoned by a neighbor. But much like George Rodrigue found solace in painting his beloved Blue Dog after her death, Zhou's Green Dog continues to inspire him and dog art lovers around the world.

I couldn't determine which pieces are in the show, so I curated my own exhibition here at Dog Art Today. Enjoy.

Green Dog No.1, 2006

Brotherhood, 2006

Green Dog

Titi Nr. 3 2007

Green Dog No.10, 2004

Green Dog Bronze

Green Hai Gen No. 10, 2001

All images courtesy of Artnet.

P.S. If you're interested in contemporary Chinese art, I highly recommend Nell Freudenberger's novel The Dissident. It takes you from the edgy art scene of Beijing's East Village in the 90s to contemporary LA where a celebrated Chinese artist comes to live with a dysfunctional American family. The author's books about China selected reading list is added value to this breezy, intelligent debut novel. OK, I'll come right out and say it, I don't hate Nell Freudenberger!

Janet Crosby, DVM Headed To The Westminster Dog Show

Life Forms

For everyone who's not holding a ticket to the 132nd Westminster Dog Show, you're in luck. Artist and veterinarian Janet Crosby has an all access pass and she will be photographing and writing about her adventure at About.com.

Right now she is looking for story ideas and questions to ask all the breeders, handlers, and organizers she's planning to meet. If you have a nagging Westminster Dog Show question, contact Janet and she will add it to her list.

Milk Bone

Also, Janet is a talented artist who specializes in glass beads using a propane-oxygen torch. She has a wonderful Etsy shop called Firefly Lampwork Beads, and a great Bead Blog where you can view many of her previously sold works and see what's new in her inventory. She creates gorgeous pendants, fish, and hearts, but my favorites are her dog bones. I've featured a few of them here.

Hot Mango Mint

Milky Way

Simplicity

All images used by permission © Janet Crosby

Barack Obama is Super!

South Carolina Primary Resusts:

Barack Obama: 55%
Hillary Clinton: 27%
John Edwards: 18%

What a night!

Read Caroline Kennedy's eloquent and moving endorsement of Senator Obama, "A President Like My Father," in today's New York Times.

Excerpt:

"I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."

Barack is Super T-shirts, including men, women, and children's sizes, designed by my sister Sheila Cameron, available at her online store.