Dog Art Today

Jane O'Hara Profiled on Hund und Kunst

 

 

Dog Looking Up by Jane O'Hara, 2004

Viennese dog artist and dog-art blogger Petra Hartl presents a beautiful retrospective of ten years of Jane O'Hara's dogs at Hund und Kunst.   The Google translation is here.

Jane O'Hara is curating "Beasts of Burden" in Boston, March 13 - May 5, 2014.

Katherine Carver Interviews Moira McLaughlin

 

 

dox-ZENS, works in progress and Tyler Foote with the dox-ZENS, 2014

 

 

Katherine Carver is an accomplished photographer and blogger.  She writes about her Sheltie muses, Biscuit (1992 - 2013), and Victory at Biscuit's Space.  She also features in-depth interviews with dog-centric artists.  I feel very privileged that she included me.  Click here to read the interview in which we discuss my background, my conflict with the art world, and the genesis of Dog Art Today.

 

Thank you, Katherine!

 

P.S. If you would like Katherine to consider you for an interview visit her submissions page.   It was a fantastic experience.  I highly recommend it as a way view your work from a new perspective.

Four&Sons Magazine Pre-Launch: Order Today

 

 

Cover of Four&Sons print magazine, Volume I

 

Have your heard the exciting news?

Four&Sons, the Australia-based dogs and culture website created by graphic design maven Marta Roca is launching a print magazine. The premier issue of the biannual, perfect-bound print journal is due out in May and will be distributed internationally. Contributors include: Mike Mills, Martin Usborne, Dave Eggers, Nathaniel Russell, Will Robson-Scott, and, the feature I'm most looking forward to, an interview with photography legend Elliott Erwitt.

In honor of International Love Your Pet Day (today), Four&Sons has launched a pre-order raffle. Everyone who pre-orders between February 20 - 28 will be entered to win a pet travel carrier from the new luxury collaboration line by CLOUD7 and TUMI (photo below or view a video about this lovely item here).

 

 

Win this Cloud7 and Tumi Pet Carrier (adorable pup not included)

 

Magazine specs and price:
215x275 mm, 144 pages, perfect-bound, full color
US $20 + Shipping
A percentage of each magazine sale to be donated to animal rescue organizations.

Pre-order and enter to win here.

If you are not familiar with Four&Sons, I highly recommend a visit. 

Thanks, Marta!

Beasts of Burden in Boston

 

 

"Beasts of Burden" curated by Jane O'Hara

 

If you live near Boston, please come to an exhibition I'm in called "Beasts of Burden."   It's curated by one of my all-time favorite dog artists, Jane O'Hara, and it explores our complex relationship with animals.  The opening reception is Thursday, March 13, 2014, 5:30 - 8 pm at the Harvard Allston Educational Portal in Allston, MA.  It's free and everyone is welcome.

Jane is a passionate animal rights advocate and vegan, and I'm so honored to be included in this thoughtful, exuberant, and sensitive multimedia event that celebrates our pampered pets while shedding light on the commodification of animals in today's society.

I won't be there in person, but my dox-ZEN series, exploring grief and impermanence, and my video "Dogs in Art," a three minute tribute to 5,000 years of canine art, will be on display.  There will also be several presentations throughout the run (listed below), culminating with the Harvard ARTS FIRST Festival, an annual event showcasing student and faculty creativity at Harvard. This year, Margaret Atwood is being awarded the Harvard Arts Medal.  Click here for tickets to attend the ceremony that includes a discussion with the acclaimed author, poet, and environmental activist moderated by John Lithgow.

Information:

"Beasts of Burden"
March 13 - May, 5, 2014

Harvard Allston Educational Portal
175 North Harvard St.
Allston, MA 02134
Regular hours: Monday - Thursday 3 - 7:00pm

Special Events:

Thursday, March 13,  5:30 - 8pm:  Opening Reception

Tuesday, March 18, 6:00pm:  Almitra Stanley moderates a panel discussion with the artists

Saturday, April 12, 2:30 - 4:30 pm: Mercy for Animals and Great Dog Rescue New England will give presentations.  Dogs will be available for adoption (you were warned!).

Thursday, May 1 - Sunday, May 4: Harvard ARTS FIRST Festival

Visit the "Beasts of Burden" website for more information.

Email me if you have any questions.

As always, I would love to hear from you.

Moira McLaughlin

Abraham Lincoln's Dog Fido

 

 

Fido by F.W. Ingmire, Springfield, IL, 1860

Fido, Abraham Lincoln's mixed-breed dog, was frequently seen around Springfield, Illinois carrying a package in his mouth behind Mr. Lincoln, or waiting outside Billy's Barber Shop while his owner got his hair cut. But, after the election of 1860, president-elect Lincoln decided not to take Fido to Washington D.C. He worried that he would not survive the train ride, and he knew the noises of the city would terrify him.

Lincoln asked his neighbor, John Eddy Roll, a carpenter who had remodeled his house, to look after Fido with the following instructions:

The Roll family was asked never to scold Fido for entering the house with muddy paws. He was not to be tied up alone in the backyard. Additionally, Fido was to be allowed into the Roll home whenever he scratched at the front door and into the Rolls' dining room at mealtimes. Fido was used to being given food by everyone sitting around the table.

The Lincolns also left Fido their horsehair sofa, and before they departed for the capitol, they took him to F.W. Ingmire's photography studio for a professional portrait.

Hat tip to my dad for sending me the photo and to the Abraham Lincoln Research website for the wonderful details of Abraham Lincoln's devotion to Fido. Read more here.

Happy President's Day!