Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tribute to Oliver the Italian Greyhound at #IKC Dog Show Open A Ring.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Portrait of Samurai
Samurai strikes a pensive pose.
Samurai has always been one of those dogs whose imperfection makes perfection, at least in our only slightly prejudiced eyes. We think he's like a model whose angular lines and long limbs and neck come across most beautifully in photographs and on canvas.
And so, Mike began to turn a pensive photo of him, taken on our back porch, into a this graceful portrait. He's left it unfinished for awhile, but I love it even more because of it. It seems to capture the nature of our Samurai, always vibrant, but somehow, winsomely, just out of reach.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Salute to Old Shaunie Who Just Keeps On Going
Ain’t but three things in this world
that’s worth a solitary dime,
but old dogs and children
and watermelon wine.
Tom T. Hall
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Celebrating Chris Duke and the Art of Westminster
2012 Westminster Kennel Club Show Poster
Every year, the Westminster Kennel Club has the exceeding good judgment to commission original art for a poster commemorating the annual event. The project has the side effect of showcasing some wonderful examples of canine art that might not otherwise get such wide exposure to the general public.
This year's choice of Connecticut artist, Chris Duke, just took our breath away here at the View from 4 Inch. We dabble in dog artwork ourselves and truly appreciate examples that seem to bring across the true spirit of man's most faithful companion on the canvas.
Head study of Hickory.
Above is the artwork that, according to the artist website, won over the selection committee's nod for the creation of the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club poster. It's a masterfully rendered portrait of a 2011 Westminster Best in Show winner, Hickory. The lines of the Scottish Deerhound's noble profile bring to life the classic calm/alert expression and far away gaze so characteristic of the sighthound. Getting the coat "right" is one of the big challenges in painting dogs, and this one makes the look of wave and wire almost touchable.
Love in a brushstroke.
No breed snob here. Duke creates artful pet portraiture for dogs of any lineage. A gallery of portraits, full figure renderings and pet/owner paintings are on view here. Complex montage paintings, similar to the Westminster poster art and the Daisy Dew portrait above may be commissioned as well. Prices are available here.
In today's world, people who love and show dogs face many challenges in gaining the respect and honor the sport deserves. Outsiders too often focus on the goofy, indulgent side and miss the dedication, the hard work and the beauty.
Each February, the Westminster Kennel Club presents a high profile event that provides a fitting display for the nation's finest dogs, breeders, owners and handlers. The decision to present some of the canine art world's finest talent in the annual poster is an important part of that objective. Thanks to the Westminster Kennel Club for keeping the bar high.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Rabbit herds sheep!
He has the crouch, he has the eye,
he works to avoid being rabbit pie!
This little bunny truly has the stuff. As he works his herd, even the Border Collie looks jealous. Or, are the sheep only moving because the Border Collie is watching? If a rabbit can do this, how about a Papillon? Hmmm...
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