Buy yourself or your loved one a unique, original, one of a kind avant-garde dog art painting by award-winning artist, Susan Calvert. Susan's dog painting, Shortstop, pictured below, won 1st place at the Contemporary Dog Art Competition in NYC. The original is still availalbe for purchase as well as dog art print reproductions, note cards, magnets, bookmarks and more.
I was commissioned to create this painting of Andy, the dog, as a surprise for a young lady.
As I pondered about what to paint (having not met either of them), I thought about the special relationship we animal guardians have with our pets. I came to the conclusion, they probably celebrated each other every time they saw one another, hence the party hat and streamers-- "Celebrating You".
Catching 'rays was the fastest painting I ever created. It was my first time using oil pastels--very creamy. Then I added watercolor--luscious.
Catching ray's celebrates our canine friends rolling on the ground in the sun (getting a good back scratching or rubbing on something stinky, like an earthworm) or dancing away in the sun delighted to be outdoors taking in the scents of the season.
The ears of our dogs are so soft and sensitive. They love to have them messaged. While doing this to our dog, Teton, my husband would "fly" his ears while singing the chorus "Batdog" to the tune of the 70's show "Batman". My husband would cackle at the end of the song and Teton would beg for more. What a silly thing that meant so much to all of us.
One year for Halloween, I made a Batman felt emblem. Teton wore it proudly on his collar every year after.
I believe dogs have souls. In this painting, the coat of the dog is a reflection of blues and purples for the heavenly sky and the poppies located on the right.
Poppy Garden is a memorial to dogs meandering through flower beds of their human guardians and the many that are laid to rest within them. We laid our dog, Teton, to rest among the Oriental Poppies in our yard in IL--rest in peace, Babydog.
I never wish fleas upon any animal. However, because we hear about them so much, I had to create a painting with fleas jumping off the dog. Plus I have known a few "flea bags" in my life.
Dog Breath came about three-fold. First, our dog,Teton, was always cleaning himself. Second, we all love Italian food with LOTS of garlic. Third, sometimes my husband wakes up facing me. One morning, I told him to roll over because he had "Dog Breath" like Teton. Now, I'm sure you get the picture with those big red swirls of breath--HA!
I painted the dog in "Allergy Season" with multi-colored fur referencing the itching and hot spots dogs suffer from when they have allergies. The dog has the proverial red "allergy" eyes too.
In the lower left corner of the abstract landscape background are dandelions and the white "fluff" from these weeds. Leaves sprial down from the looming trees. There is a ray of hope, a white bird above the dog's head, a peaceful sign of relief.
The driver in this vehicle is none other than the pooch--head hanging out of the window, nose to the wind and ears flopping around. To the left front of the vehicle is a shrub broadcasting the brilliant colors of autumn. It is a familiar, fun sight to see dogs enjoying the smells of the outdoors while traveling with their guardians.
Ah, the wet nose of a dog...so soft and sensitive. Able to smell several times more than their guardians--the smell of Sunday breakfast with fresh squeezed orange juice. Do you think they'd like some?
During Lucy's first puppy year with us, she discovered monarch butterflies in the sloping flower garden outside the back door. As the butterflies flew from flower to flower in search of nectar, she would jump up to try and catch them. Fortunately, the slope helped save them from Lucy.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds shows the dog ascending upwards in the sky and the butterflies with diamond shaped wings alongside.
The dog is the shortstop with the baseball between its legs.
This painting was awarded 1st Place in watercolor painting at the 16th Annual Contemporary Dog Art Competition at Sardi's in New York City. The judges were Chris Jussel, past Senior Vice-President at Sotheby's and original host of the PBS television series, "Antique Roadshow"; Dr. Anne Imelda Rice, who serves on the art committee of the American Kennel Club and is past curator of both the National Gallery of Arts and the U.S. Capitol; and Jane H. Willis, Instructor at New York University and President of the Appraisers Association of America.
(watercolor, 30x22", $2,500)
Shortstop
Judge Jane H. Willis, Susan Calvert, Judge Chris Jussel
I combined the words of the song "Silent Night", Robert Frost's "Stopping by a Woods on a Snowy Night" and Van Gogh's, "Starry Night" painting for the title. The dog is sitting in front of the tree with his new toy.
Old Faithful is a tribute to the rescue canines of 9/11 who located human remains at Ground Zero. The dogs helped bring closure to the families with their great sense of smell and are always faithful to the end.
The regal dog is painted in an American flag. The bright background colors are a symbol of hope.
My dogs receive weekly showers, usually on Sundays. I have always equated water with a communion ceremony; the washing away of negative thoughts, dirt and toxins on our bodies.
Washings are so invigorating. Our dogs come out of the shower and run around, happy as can be.
