Dog Art Today

Happy Halloween! Guess Who Darby Is...

This is one version of his character.

Not sure? What about this version...

Another angle...

If you guessed...

...you're right!

Actually, these costumes were originally made by my friend Meredith and me for a trailer spoof I was making on Gladiator when it came out in 2000. Alas, I lost my financing and never finished it. Darby was such a good sport about shooting and so was his cousin, Dan (may be rest in peace), who played the Emperor...

Hope you and your pups have a very Happy Halloween!

P.S. EternallyCool.net, my new favorite website about coolness in the Eternal City (Rome), reports:

Italian archeologists have discovered the tomb of the ancient Roman hero said to have inspired the character played by Russell Crowe in the film ‘Gladiator’.

Daniela Rossi, a Rome archeologist, said the discovery of the monumental marble tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus, including a large inscription bearing his name, was “an exceptional find”. She said it was “the most important ancient Roman monument to come to light for twenty or thirty years”. (read more)

Sharon Montrose's New Etsy Shop

Sharon Montrose, the Squeak at Home photographer, I featured last week, just opened an Etsy shop.   Her offerings include 18 animal prints from a series she was going to make into a book, but decided to use instead to become an Etsian and join the community of made-by-handers. This Basset Hound is the only dog in the series that includes a lamb, an owl, a reindeer, a porcupine, a pig, and more. But she has over 100 images coming soon, so stop by her shop and start your collection.  Each print is only $25.  Wouldn't they be great in a baby's room?

(This post is in honor of my friend Jude and her sweet Basset Hound, Byrdie. Jude is always sending me inspiring ideas and hopeful thoughts. I thought I would return the favor with this beautiful Basset Hound image.)

Related Links:
Do You Have a Squeak at Home?

Dogs' Last Supper

I probably should have saved this until Easter, but I couldn't wait. It's an Italian ad for OIPA, the Organizzazione Internazionale Protezione Animali (the International Organization for the Protection of Animals). Notice that there is only human, Judas. The copy reads: "One of you betrays us 150,000 times every year.”   I am assuming that is the number of dogs put down in Italy every year.

Advertising Agency: Remember, Milan, Italy Art Director: Fabio Anzani Copywriter: Massimo Mariottini Illustrator: Stefano Delli Veneri Published: October 2008

Via the fabulous Nag on the Lake who discovered it on eternallycool.net.

Disney's Dogs

Illustration from 101 Dalmations

To promote their new film, Bolt, Disney Book Group has just released the new book, Disney's Dogs, a comprehensive book of all the Disney dog stars from the early years of studio shorts to, well, Bolt.

 Jim Hill has a review and lots of images.

Joe Bastianich: Quattro's Dad Reinvents Himself

Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali. Their eating was legendary.  © Fred R. Conrad/NYT

Over the years, I have become used to seeing my old college friend Joe Bastianich on the Today Show recommending wine or being written about in the New York Times (three stars for his restaurant Babbo Enoteca with Mario Batali) or winning awards.  He and Mario won the James Beard Foundation's prestigious Outstanding Restaurateur award this year.   In the world of food and wine, Joe is a force of nature.

But, because of his job, he was vulnerable to these very forces.  He ate and drank with abandon, and as he approached 40, he wasn't happy with where he was headed.  According to Christine Yi's  NY Times article:

"[the overeating] nearly broke him two years ago. Faced with a diagnosis of sleep apnea and the dread of having to sleep with a breathing mask for the rest of his life, Bastianich began running. Then, a year ago, he decided to run a marathon."

And this weekend, he will be running the New York City Marathon, on track to finish in 3:43.  Of all of Joe's accomplishments, this might be the most impressive.

Deanna, Olivia + Ethan in the kitchen as Joe prepares for his morning run. © Douglas Healey/NYT

There are thousands of ways Joe could have handled his self-described "mid-life crisis," gorgonzola, Chianti, fusilli, pig jowls, truffle oil, to name a few.  Instead he put on the running shoes and hit the pavement.

Joe's dog Quattro: "Hey, where'd all the snacks go?"

Congratulations, Joe and good luck with the race!

OK, I am off to spin class.  Our Boston College 20 year reunion is in May and Joe has set the bar very high.