Dog Art Today

Édouard Manet's Balcony in Venice

The Balcony by Édouard Manet, 1868-69

I spent several hours this morning looking for contemporary dog-art works at the 55th Venice Biennale. I got nothing.   But it doesn't officially start until tomorrow, June 1, 2013, so I'm hoping some will appear.

In the meantime, "Manet. Return to Venice" is drawing 1,700 visitors a day at the Palazzo Ducale according to The New York Times.

I am a homebody, but art in Venice with dogs makes me wistful for a visit, or maybe just a Bellini on my front porch.

Sierra Festival of the Arts in Grass Valley

Honibe by Kathryn Wronski

Make a trip to Grass Valley, California this Sunday, May 26, 2013 for the Sierra Festival of the Arts. The daylong free event sponsored by the Grass Valley Downtown Association will feature over 40 artists, painters, print makers, jewelers, and sculptors from the Sierra Foothills.

I was one of the jury members, so I know there will be some fantastic dog artworks too -- like Kathryn Wronski's magnificent Dachshund, Honibe. 

There will also be music from the Nevada Union High School Choir, dancers from Sierra Dance Institute, and art projects for children under 12 by The Artist Workshop.  And all downtown shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms will be open throughout the event.

I will be at the Smith Vineyard Tasting Room, 142 Mill Street, at 1:00 sampling the wine that grows across the street from me (photos of the vineyard viewed from my front porch here and here).  Please come by say hi.

Sierra Festival of the Arts
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Mill Street in Grass Valley, CA
10am - 5pm

View map.

Jane O'Hara at William-Scott Gallery

True Blue by Jane O'Hara

Jane O'Hara is one of the artists featured in The William-Scott Gallery's Memorial Day Annual Salon preview.  If you're on Cape Cod this weekend, stop by reception and meet the artists on Friday, May 24, 2013, 7-9 pm.

The William-Scott Gallery. 

Jane O'Hara's website.

Francesca Woodman

I recently watched the documentary "The Woodmans."   It is fascinating and sad.   I had never heard of Francesca Woodman.  I highly recommend.

Seated Woman With Dog by Milton Avery at Christie's

Seated Woman with Dog by Milton Avery, c. 1936.  Photo credit: Christie's Images Ltd. 2013 

The American Art sale at Christie's New York this Thursday, May 23, 2013 will include Seated Woman with Dog by Milton Avery (1885-1965).  The 18 x 24 inch oil on board is estimated at $150,000 - $250,000.  It is Lot 105.

Last week Christie's Post-War and Contemporary Art sales set a record $638,615,900 in one week, including the evening sale on May 15th, which the raised $495,021,500, the highest sale total in auction history, including 16 new auction records for the foremost artists of the last 60 years.

It will be interesting to see if Avery's dog breaks any records.

Two Dog Art Today favorites, Nancy Schutt and Judy Henn, cite Milton Avery as an influence. 

For more information and to preview the American Art Sale visit Christie's.