Laughing Dog Arts

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Paintings

First I want to say thank you for all the kind words you wrote to me commenting on Sadie's passing.  I appreciate your thoughtfulness.  I have been channeling my sadness into this little mixed media piece I created in homage to Sadie.
Sadie Smiles

I used some lines from a poem by Kenneth Rexroth titled Asagumori and it reads:

"Through the dew and dusk I walk the paths you walked,
My sleeves wet with memory."

I have been memorizing poetry this year in an attempt to keep my brain nimble.  The first big poem I saved to memory was The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe.  Believe me, it was a fun one, lots of words I'm not accustomed to using plus it is 18 verses long.  Have you read the whole thing lately?  Here it is: The Raven.  So I had to make a mixed media piece in honor of this poem:
Poe's Pets

He writes of the Raven that it is a "grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore".
I created it on the back of an old record album.  This one too:
It isn't in homage to anything but I had fun using some new art supplies.  Namely, a stencil, some Inca Gold and some FW liquid acrylic ink.
The Sadie's Smile piece is created on a piece of wood I rescued from the wood shed.  This one is also on an old piece of wood:
Longing

It reads: "The sea always filled her with longing, tho for what she was never sure."
Close up where I attached some sand and beach glass and coral bits.

The words were written by Cornelia Funke.
Here you can see the side view showing the rough cut aspect of the wood.

And finally I will show you the book I created as part of my Pay It Forward giveaway.
The photo of the little sisters is my grandmother and her little sister.
 Dolly has received it so I can show it now.  We are in an online group called the Fiber Pirates.  Hence, the pirate card.
Some of the inside pages. I made it using a recycled mailing envelope and card stock cut to size.  It was a lot of fun to create.

It is odd only having one dog again.  No old dogs to walk very slowly with and to give pills to.  It seems I have had old or sick dogs for so long.  I used to have multiple dogs.  I found this photo in an album and want to share it with you.
Tasha, the Doberman, Kobos, the Pit Bull, Max, the little spaniel mix, and Pearl, the German Shepherd.  This is taken in about 1986? in my back field.  They were a great batch of dogs.  Tasha had been hit by a car once and it broke her leg so badly the vet decided to just fuse her elbow joint instead of removing the leg.  She couldn't bend it there and forever after people would look at her with pity and ask, "What's the matter with her leg?" and I would explain.  Plus she always had a raw spot on top of her foot because she would drag her leg along when she ran and it rubbed it. I tried bandaging it but the bandage would always fall off.  When she walked she would swing it around.  It never slowed her down but it got her extra treats from sympathetic people. 
 This is my favorite picture of Kobos.  She was my first Pit Bull and I have loved the breed ever since.
  I miss you all, my fine furry friends.♥  Wait for me!

Be well.




15 comments:

audrey said...

Jan, I love this post. Everything you wrote about, all the photographs, and the art ~ it is ALL beautiful. How wonderful that you are memorizing poetry. Poetry can be very soothing and healing, as well as keeping the brain nimble. LOL My favorite piece is Sadie Smiles. It is lovely.
You have certainly made a good bit of art lately. That's great. I am behind on my journal pages. Suffering a lack of motivation right now. I will get back to it.
Enjoyed this post a lot, Jan.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Jan, what a lovely post about your art and your dogs and the love you have for both. xoxo OMa LInda

Maggi said...

What a wonderful post Jan. I have been wanting to see your Raven piece and I love it. You have also captured Sadie so well and the extract from the Rexroth poem brought tears top my eyes.

Great shot of all your dogs together - you must have so many great memories of all the times spent with your dogs.

Anonymous said...

I feel like Sadies heart is on your painting and you,will be able to remember her for all that sweetness shines through. Love seeing all your work and especially old pups crossed over. My heart is woth you still. xox

Unknown said...

Jan, this post struck close to home with me. Sadie Smiles is so sweet, and made me think of all the wonderful dogs that have been in my life. I know that feeling - of having just one dog. We've recently added a puppy, and man, the energy level in the house has gone through the roof (I wish mine would keep up!).
As for memorizing poetry to keep my brain nimble, I'm afraid my brain wouldn't stand for it. Every night my brain tells me "Please reread the last few pages of your book so I can remember what the heck is happening". :)
You art is just lovely. xo

Patty said...

Wow, I was just working on a study
of that same Sadie photo! I love
her big smile. Your art is helping
you adjust to the dogs going on. I
do believe they wait ahead of us, like they do on a long walk. You
take good care.

Robbie said...

Your works are amazing!!!!! Each is so unique & wonderful!

forestfairykaren said...

Gee Jan, This just makes me miss you even more... but what fun being able to tour your studio and study your latest beautiful artwork! Amazing stuff like always! That photo of the sisters is really cute, I would love to have a copy if you have made it digital. The colors and textures and details and depth of everything is all so emotionally charged...And your Sadie painting is amazing! You keep adding talent and skills to your repertoire, that I should've known you had all along. Miss you...


I love seeing the dogs too, but I admit I couldn't remember Kobos name.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I love this post. So full of heart. Poe is one of my favorite poets. "The Raven and Other Poems" sits on the shelf next to my computer. Sandburg is one of my other favorites. Why did I hate poetry study in school when I love poems so much now?

Happy Easter.
xx, Carol

Anni - My Creative Life and Mixed Media Books said...

I enjoy seeing your beautiful creations Jan, so sad you lost a dog, dogs are the best friends, love your tribute to her.
Anni

DVArtist said...

Jan I am so sorry you have lost a dear part of your family. Loosing a pet is one of the most difficult things. I agree the Pits are one of the best breeds.
Thanks for my birthday wish.
Nicole/Beadwright

Karen S said...

I'm so sorry to hear of Sadie's passing. What a lovely tribute you've created. It doesn't matter how many years they live, it is never enough. She was as lucky to have you as you were to have her.

Linda Vincent said...

Oh bless you Jan, its so tough, isn't it? You must miss Sadie very much. The extract from the poem at the beginning says it all....

But you have obviously kept busy (good idea) and your homage piece is truly beautiful and I love the crows!
Sending a big hug....XX

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

I'm so sorry to read about your lovely Miss Sadie, Jan. I have a golden retriever myself and love this breed. Your little mixed media piece in homage to her is lovely, as are your other pieces. Having only just read your previous post what struck me most was that whatever happened to Sadie before, it is certain that she was meant to be with you, and that she had a good and happy life for her later years. Thinking of you. x

april said...

Yes, another wonderful and so interesting post. Love the idea of memorizing poetry...I throw out a theme like that for my class all the time. Love doing artwork with poetry in mind. Have to look up "Asagumori" - that's beautiful.