Conversations With My Dogs

 

detail from "Slow Joe"

 

 

When I talk about painting "Bad Dogs", people often get a little irate. They say, "But you have great dogs! How can you say such a thing?"

 

 

Oh sure, they're great. I could, in fact, wax on all day about how awesome my dogs are. But I would be lying to you if I told you my neighbors have never heard the following conversations I have had with my dogs:

 

 

"Stop humping the cat! I can't even look at you for the rest of the day now!"

 

"Where the heck did you even find a chicken?"

 

"Stop sniffing my crotch! It's the same crotch I had yesterday."

 

"Drop it!" You are sooooo not putting that stinky deer leg in my car!"

 

"Bark it up Barky. I think you forgot to bark at something."

 

"What are you eat...Oh God...is that a rat tail in your mouth?"

 

"If you eat that I will not be kissing you today!"

 

"Stop whining. It's not my fault you ate the volcano ! "(science fair project)

 

"Oh gross! That's the grossest puke ever! When were you eating rotten starfish anyways?"

 



 

"Slow Joe"

(who is in fact my mother's mostly good dog)

10" x 10" framed

$115

The Year of Letting Go

 

"Lisey Bathing" #2

30" x 36"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

 

 

The year of letting go, of understanding loss. grace. of the word "no" and also being able to say "you are not kind". The year of humanity/humility. when the whole world couldn't  get out of bed. everyone I've met this year says the same thing, "you are so easy to be around. how do you do that?" the year I broke open and dug out all the rot with my own hands. the year I learnt small talk and how to smile at strangers. the year I understood that I am my own best friend when I reach out and ask, "do you want to be my friend?" the year of sugar everywhere. softness. sweetness. honey. honey. the year of being alone and learning how much I like it. the year of hugging people I don't know, because I want to know them. the year I made peace and love right here.

 

Warsan Shire

Circus Freak

"We're not the pretty dogs.
The preened, puffed and witty dogs.
We're not the privileged elite.
We are the gritty dogs,
the sewer and the city dogs.
And we roam free on our feet."

 

David Smith White

"The Underdogs"

 

 

"Circus Freak"

18" x 29" acrylic and plaster on board

$450





Unwind

"My heart is so tired"

Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

 

 

 

"Unwind" #1

24" x 24"

acrylic and paper on board

 

 

 

"Unwind" #2

24" x 24"

acrylic and paper on board

 

"Unwind" #3

24" x 24"

acrylic and paper on board

 

 

 

Last year I painted this series as a reflection on being overwhelmed, heartbroken and tired; on how important it is to take time for renewal, to unwind, to wake up and start again.

 

The original versions of these paintings had keys inserted into the women's back. I had intended for the keys to symbolize the process of winding down at the end of a long day. Unfortunately, time and again the paintings were misinterpreted as misogynistic, and my heart broke each time. I really wanted to stand behind the message of these paintings while still celebrating women. Last week I finally decided to paint over the keys and send these paintings back out into the world with a lighter heart.

Just Joe

"It's hard not to immediately fall in love with a dog who has a good sense of humor."

 

Kate diCamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie

 

 

"Just Joe"

 

 

detail from "Just Joe"

 





Team "Fat Russell Crowe"

You heard me. I love a fat Russell Crowe. I've spent the majority of my art career celebrating women of all shapes and sizes. But what about men? Funny enough, hardly anyone has ever asked me about this. Maybe men don't worry about their physical appearance the way women do. Maybe. But as a mom of teen aged boys I've given it some thought. I worry they'll want the rock hard 6 pack abs being paraded about in the media by any boy older than 15. In a world where grotesquely shallow movies like "Magic Mike" are actually taken seriously I work against the system to make sure my boys know which character traits really matter as they are slowly making the journey towards manhood; and it sure as heck has nothing to do with how you look or someone else's definition of what beautiful is.

Over the years I have painted various portraits of my beautiful dad.

 

detail of "The God of Bullshit"(unplugged)

 

 

 

"The God Of Bullshit" (unplugged)

 

 

"The God of Bullshit"

 

 

 

Mouse Kings

 

"Mouse Kings"

 

When I was pregnant with my first baby I worked as a nanny for two amazing little girls who ran around wearing t-shirts that said things like: "Girls Rule and Boys Drool!". I was immersed in an all girl world and all I wanted was someone to rock the Easy Bake Oven with. Then I was working out at the gym one day and a woman wandered past and said, "I hope it's a boy! "

 

I have two teen aged sons and I wouldn't change a thing. I mean, don't get me wrong. Boys do some pretty weird stuff. A "friend" of mine's 5 year old once launched a piece of lego from his springboard penis and it ricocheted off her forehead. It was a "shit just got real" mothering moment. But they are also going to tell you that you're the bestest mommy in the world, they will always want a hug and they will still call you mamma when they are 16 and towering over you. No wonder moms fall head over heels in love with their sons. They are the Kings of our hearts.

 

"Even bad men love their mammas."

Russel Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma

 

 

Matty's first portrait

"You Are My Sunshine"

 

 

 

Mason's first portrait

"Goodnight Growly Bear"