Garden Late Afternoon
I went to the NE*ORE*AL*ISM show at the George Billis Gallery last week to see my friend Lisa Oxley's pieces (not her dogs but her Snowflake and her Menos Pájaro, which were both highlights). I'll admit that Neorealism is not my thing, but the show had a vibrant LA-heightened-reality-vibe that was just right for a summer night on the edge of Culver City.
One piece in particular caught my eye, Kate Doyle's Garden Late Afternoon (above). Gallery hopping with me is like going on safari. When I spot a four-legged creature, I must hunt it down to and classify it as dog or non. You can see for yourself it’s a joyful pup lounging on a magnificent orange blanket in the fading light of New England's magic hour, and it's wonderful.
Gallery director Anne Hromadka graciously introduced me to the artist, Kate Doyle, in town from New Hampshire. I don't know if it was her Irish name or her immediate desire to discuss the dogs in her work, but I definitely felt a kindred spirit. She shared the story of one of her favorite works not on display, Dog Day (below), that depicts her friend's dog Timmy's first day he let loose and allowed himself to experience joy after years of abuse and skittishness.
Dog Day
I love that she thought to capture that specific moment in Timmy's life and I admire the passion with which she still talks about that moment and the painting it inspired.
Here are several other works that include dogs. I think my favorite is the last one, for reasons any former Catholic schoolgirl will understand.
Asleep in the Garden
Diana and Actaeon
Self-Portrait as a Recovering Catholic
See more of Kate's work on her website.
(Click on images for larger view.)
