Be Right Back oil by Dawn B. Dwyer

“Be Right Back” 12 x 16 Oil by Dawn B. Dwyer (Giclees available)

I was so excited to work on this commissioned painting.  Not only did it represent something really special to the family but also for me.

One of the beauties of art, is that we may all look at the same painting but see different things.  I love that and I’d love to hear your story you see as you look at this painting too.

For me it showed the relationship we have with animals and how they are as much a part of our families as any other member.

These are among two, of the very special animals I paint.  They are known for their healing work that they do as therapy dogs.  Their demeanor is so calming, that to be in their presence is truly an honor.  I was just so amazed by them when we met.

Animals have emotions and feelings …  just as we do.  The thrill of going on vacation and experiencing new things like a trip to the beach is just as important to them as us.

I can feel their joy as they look out upon the water, “Aren’t we lucky?” as they wait for their human to Be Right Back.

This painting was featured on a segment on WCET TV that aired on the Arts Bridge Show.  Did you miss it?  If so here is a link to watch it online at

http://watch.cetconnect.org/video/2365427190/

Dawn’s segment starts at 6:25 mins.

 

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“EMPATHY” 20×16 Oil Painting by Dawn B. Dwyer

“Empathy” 20×16 oil by Dawn B. Dwyer

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen

At the time Henri wrote this I am sure that he was only thinking in terms of a relationship with a human being. But in reality this is what a relationship with a dog is all about. They are always quietly there, in the background, watching you, ready to respond when you need them.  This is what the painting “Empathy” is all about … the loyalty, compassion and companionship. A friendship that is reflective of the connection and complete understanding between two beings.

Shedding Shyness … A Portrait can be Transformational!

“Shedding Shyness” by Dawn B. Dwyer 12×12 oil

Having an oil portrait done of your pet can actually be transformational for them.  This is the fourth painting in a series of four.  “Shedding Shyness” has a beautiful story centered around the painting.

When I was first contacted by Sawyer’s Dad about doing her portrait he told me he was very concerned about photographing her.  You see, she was very shy and he didn’t think I would even be able to get  in the door of the house, let alone get a  photo of her.  She was very shy around people and especially strangers.

Well, Sawyer surprised us all.  She wanted to have a portrait done like the rest of the four legged family members.  I planned a very special greeting with Sawyer and she did beautifully and was even approaching me by the end of the photo shoot.  “Shedding Shyness” was one of a series of four commissioned paintings including, “Happy for No Reason”, “Roamin’ at Rest” and “Li’l Devil with a Dash of Angel”.  What an incredible group of animals.  Yes … there were 2 cats and 2 dogs that got along fabulously and were so much fun to get to know.

Having a pet portrait is a really big deal for you and your pet.  If you are living with a pet that is very special … consider having a pet portrait done.  It is a wonderful way to honor them as well as experience that “happy feeling” when you see them, when they are no longer with you.

Li’l Devil with a Dash of Angel

Meet Oliver, he has been one of my animal teachers.  When I met him, I was unaware that I could communicate with animals nor heard what they wanted when I photographed them.  But during his photo session I had a keen sense of knowing exactly what he was up to and what he wanted. 

This was an enlightening experience for me.

His Dad was helping me to pose Oliver during the photo session and to get him in the perfect position. He’d play with the cat, as well as chase after him when Oliver would take off.  It became obvious the cat was laughing and having a blast.

I found myself directing his Dad in what to do, to get Oliver in the right pose.  I also would hear the cat giggle as he would run over to me in between shots, to rub against my leg, saying, “Isn’t my Dad funny,” as he basically tormented him and made him play his games so that I could get the perfect photo.

After the photo shoot, I drove home and reflected on how odd it was that I knew the games the cat wanted to play and even heard him giggle.  How could this be?

My exposure to cats has been very limited, as I have mostly played with other people’s cats and not really had one for any length of time.  As a child, our cats always seemed to run off or we would exchange them for new cats because they were feral and not always the nicest cats for small children.

So it really made me question, “How could I know what a cat would want?” 

Oliver was a very powerful teacher that day.  He taught me that I really can hear the animals I photograph if I just take the time to tune into them.

This is number three of a series of four paintings for this family.

Often times people say, that looks just like my cat.

So I am making “Li’l Devil with a Dash of Angel” available as a canvas or paper giclee.  You will be able to get this in various sizes up to 36 x 36 excluding 12 x 12.

Please let me know if you have interest.  I would be happy to customize a giclee for you.

At Rest with Roamin’

At Rest with Roamin’ 12 x 12 Oil Painting by Dawn B. Dwyer

Ernest Hemingway once said, “One cat  just leads to another.”  How right he was.  This is just the first of two cat paintings for this family, the second one is just about done.  I will post as soon as Oliver gets his final whiskers.  Oliver is a black cat and is also adorable.

“At Rest with Roamin'” was one of four commissioned paintings.

Happy for No Reason

Happy for No Reason 12 x12 oil painting by Dawn B. Dwyer

Today I wanted to share a story about a chance meeting with a guy’s father, who I met in STAPLES, who knew how much his son and daughter-in-law loved their pets.  As a result of him taking my business card and giving it to his son.  A very lucky wife woke up on Christmas Day  to find a fine art 12 x 12 oil painting of her beloved yellow lab under the Christmas tree.  Her husband had commissioned me to do this painting along with 3 others (another dog and 2 cats) so that he could surprise her.  He knew how much she loved theses beautiful animals and wanted to give her something that would last for years to come.  How romantic I kept thinking as we put together the plan.  I just love it when I see a man go way out of his way to put together an elaborate plan to surprise his wife and do something that he knows will really make her happy.  What an incredible way to show how much you love someone.  Pet Portraits fill up your senses in so many ways when you look at them.  A certain look reminds us of a particular moment that we shared with them. “Happy for No Reason” does just that.  If you have spent time with a Lab you know this look.  They are the sweetest dogs and have an incredible happy spirit.  This painting is SOLD but if you would like a Giclee (high quality print version on canvas or paper) I will have them available early 2013 and taking orders now.  Please just contact me.  The sizes will vary from 6″ x 6″ to the largest version 36″ x 36″.

Procter & Gamble Reveals the Official Portrait of Euka, VP of Canine Communication

I always say that the animals I paint are very special!  This one was on the Board at Procter & Gamble as their V.P. of Canine Communication for 10 years and was so loved by the people that worked with her and encountered her at publicity events.  She also graced the front pages of Forbes magazine.  The Official Portrait of “Euka” by Dawn B. Dwyer now resides at the Mason, Ohio Business Center.

But let me also say this, ALL ANIMALS are special and when someone decides to honor them with an original oil painting there is no question in my mind how special they are.  Animals add so much to our lives and even make us do things that we don’t feel like but in the end may be for our own good.

My two dogs drove me nuts with behavioral issues only to send me on this quest to stop the craziness.  In doing so it has taken me on quite a journey that I will be sharing with you in my forth coming book.  It will be a book that will enlighten  you as well as make you laugh as Miniature Pinschers are the silliest dogs, very clever and they will push you to keep learning about them.  They call them the King of Toys and I have learned so much being one of their disciples.

Here is a Link to the Event when the Official Portrait of Euka was Revealed.

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/procter–gambles-canine-vp-retires

Remembering Asia … a painting to honor a special dog!

   I am frequently commissioned to do a painting of a pet that has made such an impact in a person’s life that there is only one way to really honor this special pet.  It is such a privilege to be a part of the process and to do the portrait.  Asia was one of these special animals. 

An oil painting can actually conjure up the feelings that your special pet brings out in you, especially when they are no longer in your life.

I know that Asia has a special story and that her final home was not her first home. I hope to get her story posted as I think that it is important to share.

 

Cincinnati Art Gallery exhibits Looking to the Light by Dawn B. Dwyer

Looking to the Light by Dawn B Dwyer

I was once told by a Gallery owner that every painting has a story and this painting, Looking to the Light is no different.  It started a little over 9 years ago when I was talking with a real estate client of ours.  We were both telling each other how we had gotten puppies.  To our surprise, they were both born on the exact same day.  Laurie’s was a Yellow Lab named Rebel and mine was a Min Pin we named Ally. When we realized this, there was a special bond and when we spoke we would always ask about the others dog.  Sadly eight years later Laurie told us that Rebel was diagnosed with cancer.

When I heard this there was a sudden urge to go to her house and photograph Rebel.  We had lost a puppy at 13 weeks old and I remember how much I cherished the few photos I had.  So I called Laurie and Billy and asked if I could come over and photograph Rebel so that I could do an oil painting of him.  He was a beautiful lab and I felt compelled to do a painting of him.  They thought their Realtor was a bit nutty, but they said, “Sure come on over if you want.”  They didn’t get it and I didn’t either at the time, but this painting would become a very important painting for both of us.

Laurie, Rebel and Dawn at the SPCA Doggie Dash

Because I was doing this painting for myself there was no rush and in May when it was just about complete, I called Laurie and invited her to see the painting at an SPCA event where I was showing my art.  Everything was done except a little work around the muzzle and the whiskers.

After that day, I got busy with other things and never did put the whiskers on until several months later.  On Aug. 31, 2011 I decided to finally put the whiskers on and then enter the oil painting into a contest. After I added the last whisker, I immediately called Laurie to say it was done and to ask her about a title.  When I called she didn’t answer the phone.  The next day there was an email from Laurie in my inbox.  I couldn’t believe what I read.

She said that when the phone rang she was at home but didn’t answer because they had just said goodbye to Rebel one minute before I called and were actually carrying his body out of her home when the phone was ringing.  She said it was odd, as she was saying goodbye to him that she thought about the painting.  When you look at the timeline, I was putting the last strokes of paint on the painting as Rebel was taking his last breaths. I have my doubts that this was all just a chance happening?

When I first showed the painting in my studio at the Pendleton Art Center, it was amazing to watch how people would gather around that one painting and marvel at how real it looked, it was without a doubt the show stopper.  So I knew this was the painting to enter into one of the most difficult art exhibits/contests, ViewPoint 44.  And now, I am proud to announce that “Looking to the Light” has been accepted into the ViewPoint National Juried Show.  Only 70 paintings were chosen out of hundreds that were submitted from around the country.

I would like to invite you to The ViewPoint 44 Show held at the Cincinnati Art Gallery on 225 E 6th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202.  The ViewPoint exhibition will be available for viewing Monday thru Friday  9-4 pm  Saturday 10-3 pm till August 31, 2012.

Chicago Band Tangleweed To Play It Forward at The Pendleton Art Center Friday, July 27th

Tangleweed to Perform at the Pendleton Art Center Final Friday July 27th

This is REALLY BIG and I am thrilled to share the news with you.  Tangleweed will be peforming at the Pendleton Art Center this Final Friday!

The Chicago based trio Tangleweed will be entertaining at the Pendleton Art Center on July 27^th for Final Friday’s art walk. They have basically waived their typical booking fee with the goal of assisting the PAC in being a hub of vibrant creativity in Cincinnati and to hopefully assist to bring in larger numbers of visitors during Final Friday.

Now you may ask, why would a band from Chicago care about the artists at the Pendleton Art Center. Well, one of the band members is my cousin. He knew that I had recently moved into a Second Floor Studio at the Pendleton Art Center and was trying to think of ways to bring in more visitors. My cousin is Paul Wargaski and he is also a very successful violin maker in Chicago. Paul is the innovator of the Suitbass (A bass instrument that disassembles into it’s own suitcase for travel). Back in 2007 the suitbass was born out of a greater need for compact mobility as Wargaski was the bass player for Tangleweed and they were booking more performances across the country.

The Suitbass was built from a vintage Amelia Earhart suitcase.. Something he calls “Workable Art” which Wargaski will be playing during his performance at the PAC on Final Friday!   “I’m really looking forward to seeing and hearing the infamous Suitbass I have heard so much about.  The Suitbass alone would be worth the trip to the Pendleton,” says Dawn.

Tangleweed’s performance at the PAC will not only help me but all of the artist’s at the PAC and raise awareness to the artist community in Cincinnati.

Various types of artists from several different states are all coming together for this one evening at the Pendleton Art Center with the hopes of helping each other through synergy and ultimately helping all the artists at the PAC.

I will personally will have a guest artist Mindy Fisher from New Hampshire showing her work as well as showing some jewelry and art from an artist living in Mali who Scott Judd (Tangleweed’s guitarist is helping).  It’s basically artists helping artist in more ways than you can imagine.  But we would be happy to share our stories when you drop in to Studio 221 during this Final Friday at the Pendleton Art Center!

It should be a magical evening you won’t want to miss!

Pendleton Art Center 1310 Pendleton St. 

Final Friday from 6-10 pm. 

Second Look Saturday 11am -3pm

Paul Wargaski on bass, Billy Oh on fiddle, and Scott Judd on guitar to complete the group.

About Tangleweed

Tangleweed was originally formed the summer of 2004, presently with Paul Wargaski on bass, Billy Oh on fiddle, and Scott Judd on guitar to complete the group.

Tangleweed has been on the top ten charts in the UK and is a band of three forward-thinking musical reactionaries from Chicago, Illinois.  While the band’s instrumentation is standard bluegrass, their music is anything but with a repertoire both broad and deep.  Their four CDs have garnered critical praise and worldwide airplay, earning the band invitations to appear at major festivals and high profile venues around the country.

Tangleweed combines high-energy performances with impeccable musicianship and a wide-breadth of influences to create a unique sound that is simultaneously modern and old-time.

The band has been hailed in reviews worldwide as a welcome breath of fresh air for lovers of stomping string band music and high lonesome harmonies.

Check out their most recent release “Please Punch Richard for Me” at www.tangleweed.org or  you can go to Pandora.com, and type ‘Tangleweed’ into the search box. You’ll get a station with Tangleweed, Split Lip Rayfield, The Hackensaw Boys, and a bunch of other like-minded neo-traditionalists.

Oh … and let’s not forget there will be

eight floors of Art for sale!

Dawn B. Dwyer, Creating FineAart You’ll Want to Pet! Studio 221

Make sure you come to the second floor, Studio 221 first to say, “Hi”.  

Just take the stairs up one flight.  I will have lots of new art to show because I will have two guest artists this month!  There will be jewelry from Mali and camel hair pillows … oh my!  And the art of Mindy Fisher from New Hampshire.  Her art is whimiscal and fun and she is also the creator of Tangleweed’s coloring book which they will be giving out and also the creator of the music cartoon video  our guest band Tangleweed has on their website.  So lots of fun things to see and do.  I have also worked a little more on my 30 x 40 horse paintings as well as a Doberman Pinscher painting.  So get out of the house on Friday and have some fun with us at the Pendelton Art Center!!!