Dog Art Today

Longhaired Dachshund Calendar: May

 

 

Dreaming of Sky Pines by Moira McLaughin

The above artwork is the finished May page for my Longhaired Dachshund calendar.  It was inspired by a walk I took with Darby in my neighborhood down a rural, farm-filled street called Sky Pines.  The first idea was based on a blue heron that flew right over us, low, fast, prehistoric, and awe-inspiring.  This was the initial sketch...

 

This was the first pass...

Then this...

Then, I got a lot of great feedback from readers.  I really do appreciate your suggestions.   For this piece, my favorite comment came from Suza Johnston in London who owns an erudite Dachshund named Archie.  She said, " Why not a flying, soaring, exultant feel… as in a Chagall – with Darby’s ears flapping back and soaring with the heron?"

I loved that idea.  So I played around with painting Darby soaring.  Here are some attempts...

I thought soaring Darbies looked like too blob-like, and I wasn't happy with the colors.   So I made these images out of a magazine ad...

I liked the blue heron but the blue Darby got lost against the blue background of the sky.  So I added some green.  This would give the heron a sense of motion and it would capture the glowing psychedelic feeling of a spring day in Grass Valley...

 

But the blue Darby wasn't a strong enough focal point.   It was too inconsistent with the photos of the sheep.  So I built a Darby composite out of several photographs of him.  His ears aren't flapping in the wind, but I was happy with the shape and color and the way he looks neslted in for the wild ride...

Overall, I'm pleased with the final version of May.  Once again, here it is...

 

But I couldn't resist playing around with the soaring Darby.  And this is the image I made that hangs on my wall (I'm not crazy about the frame, but it's all I had)...

Thoughts?

Vacation

 

 

Darby and I are taking some time off to play in the last of the summer's sun.

See you in September.

 

Mutt Lynch Dog Days 2011

 

The Dog Days of Summer event at Mutt Lynch Winery this year was a heady experience.  I gasped when I first saw the bottle of "Out of Reach..." sitting on the table at the dinner winemaker Brenda Lynch hosted for this year's winning artist Nancy Schutt at Ravenous in Healdsburg.  Earlier this year when Brenda, label designer Rae Huestis, and I selected Nancy's entry as the winner of the Mutt Lynch Winery - Dog Art Today Wine Label Contest, I was confident the artwork would make a fantastic label.  But the final product was beyond my expectations.  The dark sleek bottle and capsule on top, the matte finish, the contemporary font, the cheeky ellipses, and over-sized, stand-alone artwork that wraps around the bottle -- I couldn't put it down and I think I was starting to overheat the wine with my hot, excited hands.  Luckily Brenda took control and showed us how to pour without ruining the label (keep it facing up and twist wrist after filling the glass). 

The wine, a "Muttitage" that includes 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in French Oak, is big, but not too big, with a lovely finish.  Brenda describes it as having "aromas of cassis and red berry fruit framed by youthful tannins and pretty dark chocolate French oak flavors...[the] Merlot adds some pretty red fruit and herbs.  The Cabernet Franc is like a pinch of spice... It is a wine that will soften and grow more complex with some bottle age."  She encourages drinking it with a steak.  I had it with the grilled sea bass and thought it paired nicely.  Keep it at a low temperature and don't save it for your winter roast.  "Out of Reach..." is a red for all seasons, especially patio season.

The next day at the Dogs Days of Summer open house everyone who visited seemed giddy.  Sure, it was probably the wine.  But there is something intoxicating about an outing where your dog is not only welcomed but celebrated.  It was like a support group for dog fanatics and Darby and I fit right in.  Luckily, Nancy Schutt's partner Anita Nowacka is an accomplished professional photographer who specializes in documenting families.  She was the perfect person to capture a day of dogs and their doting "parents."  Here are some hightlights...

Smiles, wine, and dogs

 

Dog artist Nancy Schutt sketched pet portraits all day

 

Dog lovers adored Nancy's work.

 

Keeping Darby hydrated in style

 

Just outside the door.  Spectacular!

 

Winemaker and Mutt Lynch Winery owner, Brenda Lynch, with her works of art

Blissed out

Cheers

Thank you, Brenda Lynch for your inspiring spirit and sharing the art of winemaking with us.  Thank you, Ann Joly for your endless energy and savant-like knowledge of everyone on in Sonoma and their dog.  Thank you, Rae Huestis for your exquisite label design.  Thank you, Nancy Schutt for making the trip down from Seattle and bringing your creativity to the day.   And thank you, Anita Nowacka for your beautiful photography and expertise.

To buy a bottle of "Out of Reach..." click here.

Visit Seattle dog artist Nancy Schutt's website to see more of her  work.  Limited edition prints of "Out of Reach..." will be available in September.

All photos by Seattle Family Photographer Anita Nowacka.

 

 

Mutt Lynch Winery shared a sneak peek of Out of Reach, which will debut at this Saturday's Dog Days of Summer event in Healdsburg, California.  Winning artwork of the naughty Dachshund by Nancy Schutt.  Label design by Rae Huestis.  Wine, a blend of  87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, by Brenda Lynch.  Can't wait to try it.

Mutt Lynch Dog Days of Summer:

Date: August 6, 2011
Time:  11:00am - 4:00pm
Ticket Price: $20 if purchased online here before August 4.  $25.00 at the door.  A portion of admission and sales will benefit the Healdsburg Animal Shelter
Location: 602 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Dogs on leashes are welcome

For more information visit Mutt Lynch Winery.

To order a bottle or case of Out of Reach after it is released on August 6, 2011 click here.

 

Sneak Peek of Out of Reach

 

Mutt Lynch Winery shared a sneak peek of Out of Reach, which will debut at this Saturday's Dog Days of Summer event in Healdsburg, California.  Winning artwork of the naughty Dachshund by Nancy Schutt.  Label design by Rae Huestis.  Wine, a blend of  87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, by Brenda Lynch.  Can't wait to try it.

Mutt Lynch Dog Days of Summer:

Date: August 6, 2011
Time:  11:00am - 4:00pm
Ticket Price: $20 if purchased online here before August 4.  $25.00 at the door.  A portion of admission and sales will benefit the Healdsburg Animal Shelter
Location: 602 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Dogs on leashes are welcome

For more information visit Mutt Lynch Winery.

To order a bottle or case of Out of Reach after it is released on August 6, 2011 click here.