Norfolk Terrier Portrait

Could there be a better antidote to black dog angst than a tiny, smiling, slightly unkempt, adorable Norfolk Terrier?   This is a portrait of 12 year old Abbey, still puppy-like and much loved by her owners.  I painted this portrait as a commissioned piece from a good assortment of supplied photos and enjoyed every moment with this imperturbably happy creature.

Abbey, Norfolk Terrier, oil on canvas wrapped board, 8" x 8"

From the mockumentary, Best In Show, here are the lyrics to "God loves a Terrier" written by Eugene Levy and performed by he and Catherine O'Hara in the movie:

God loves a terrier
yes he does
God loves a terrier
that’s because
brown sturdy bright and true
they give their hearts to you
God didn’t miss a stitch
be it dog or be it bitch
when he made the Norwich merrier
with his cute little ‘derrier’
yes God loves a terrier!

Black Dog, leashed

Black dog, leashed, (detail) oil on panel 12" x 12"

Black dogs get a bad rap. Winston Churchill famously referred to his depression as a black dog.  But in Ian McEwan's postwar novel Black Dogs, which I read a few years ago, the black dogs symbolize a greater malignity, something not specified directly, but glimpsed peripherally as a looming menace over Europe. And then there's the so-called black dog syndrome which suggests that black dogs are less likely to be adopted--perhaps because of their association with depression and evil.

Black dog, leashed, oil on panel 12" x 12"

I was painting this black dog stoically waiting for his owner when I heard about the death of groundbreaking editor of Elle magazine in the UK, Sally Brampton. She'd written a book about her own struggle with depression called Shoot the Damn Dog, which I haven't read, but which resonated a little as I painted with all these associations in my head.

This dog, leashed and waiting, looks too benign to be a threat, but I won't discount him entirely. It's easy to glimpse black dogs today in the lead-up to the American election, the refugee crisis, global warming... I really should stop listening to public radio in the studio.

Old Gold for a New Year

Jake, oil on canvas board, 8" x 8"

I’ve never had a pet dog, but after painting this smiling retriever I’m beginning to understand the appeal of a constant sunny disposition in a companion.  My friends who have goldens truly adore them and Emma, my pet portrait winner, is no exception.  Even with a menagerie of pets at home, she chose her family’s aging golden retriever Jake to have his portrait painted.  Jake’s character seemed so epitomized by his big toothy grin that I decided to brave it despite the challenges of painting an open mouthed smile.  Emma had such a good selection of photos from different periods in Jake’s long life that although we’ve never met, I feel as though I’ve come to know him a little.  And I’ve had welcome assurances according to various members of his human family that I managed to catch something of his personality in this little painting.

Jake, (detail) oil on canvas board

Win a Portrait of Your Pet

Until December 13th, when you sign up to my mailing list (see form to the right) I'll enter your name in a draw to win an original portrait of your pet painted in oils on a 6" x 6" canvas from your own photo.  Just like this one:

Tasha, Golden Retriever, oil on panel 6" x 6"

When a friend of mine wanted a surprise portrait of her parents' dog last year, I decided to bend my rule about working only from in-person sittings or photos I've taken myself.  For this stealthy portrait, we resorted to a cell phone snapshot.  While not ideal, the result was so successful that I've decided to offer this option to people who'd like a more expedient and less expensive option (for portraits of pets only).

I'll draw the name and contact the winner on December 14th and make the announcement here and on my facebook page.

Of course, if you'd prefer not to leave things to chance, or can't wait until the 14th, you can always commission one of your own by contacting me directly. Just follow this link to my website and click the info tab at the top, then contact at the bottom to get my email address.

Solo Exhibition of Paintings at the Red Brick in Guelph

Shannon Reynolds
at the Red Brick Café
8 Douglas St. Guelph, Ontario, Monday- Saturday 8am-11pm, Sunday 11am-5pm
October 26 through December 13

My paintings will be hanging at the Red Brick Café in downtown Guelph until December 13th. The exhibition features a few large paintings and many smaller landscapes and animal studies as well as some oldies but goodies from earlier series, notably my dj hands.  There's something for everyone.  The historic cafe/gallery space is high-ceilinged and light-filled with several comfortable rooms.   If you are in Guelph over the next few weeks, I hope you stop in for a cappuccino or a craft beer and let me know what you think of the show.

When Thanksgiving falls just a week before a federal election...

the dinner table can become a battleground.  Fortunately for us, we banned all political talk beforehand and the potential melee was forestalled...

Clangor, oil on panel, 18" x 18"

Cacophony, oil on panel, 18" x 18"

at least until after dinner when we relieved any lingering tensions by throwing fallen walnuts at each other in the nearby park.

The egg-run

About once a week I drive to a gorgeous family farm to pick up eggs and greens and various items of seasonal bounty they offer at their farm store.  It's a bucolic place and always makes me feel fortunate to live in an area where the mixed family farm is still flourishing.

The last time I was there this dog and cat were having a standoff.  The dog seemed to want to play, but the cat was having none of it.
 

Good Dog!

Joey, oil on canvas 16" x 20", 2010

This was a stealth portrait commissioned as a surprise birthday present. The secret remained so until the big unveiling (best birthday gift ever, so I'm told and was thrilled to hear), and now I'm free to post the painting without giving anything away.

Joey, detail

Joey is a handsome dog and I really enjoyed catching his characteristic pose--big grin, bright eyes, ears cocked, ready to play--in this traditional portrait.  I believe that animals have personalities as distinct as people's and can make great portrait subjects.