my art is going to the dogs,  Shop Talk

Visiting the Dog Digs

July 29, 2007 /

Surfer Dogs park here

I visited the Surf Dog Market for the first time the other day. It’s pretty cool. I really like the “Doggy Zen Garden” in the back and that is part of where the event will take place. I’m excited about the “indoor-outdoor” space. I might have to build a special light feature into one of my paintings just to take advantage of the warm summer night experience. How cool would that be?

The shop itself is a little more dog lover’s paradise and a little less “art gallery” than I expected but I can roll with it. I shouldn’t expect to make my grand painterly debut on the art scene with the muckety mucks. I have a long way to go.

This is just a start and it’s a good start. I don’t think I could handle the criticism of real art critics. I’d probably put down my brush forever which would be really sad because I love painting. I really do. Maybe it’s best to start with people who really love dogs and will probably really love paintings with dogs in them.

the merchandise

The event coordinator for this show is the sweetest girl on the planet. She has to be. She takes in homeless dogs on a regular basis and finds loving families for them. I’ve always loved animals but I find it easier to look away sometimes because sad dog eyes are the saddest eyes of all. They just clamp onto your heart and suck you dry. The next thing you know you are letting them in your house and there is dog hair everywhere and you’re buying those great big bags of dog food that you have to ask for help to get up on the checkout counter. I just can’t do that.

Surf Dog Market

But I can paint. I might not be that good at it yet but I’m just starting out. It really is really cool that I can do something that I really love and they can do something that they really love and we can all walk away feeling like we accomplished something together. It’ll be fun too.

B-Bug wearing my orange tank top adds nice contrast

17 Comments

  • BeachMama

    July 29, 2007 at 1:52 pm

    Love the big painting BB is sitting in front of!

    As for dogs, well, I have two. Two very large beasts that I love to death, but can be a pain in the butt some days. Our Huskey was a rescue, someone bought him but couldn’t handle him so she was going to put him down. So instead we brought him home. He is 7yrs old now and spoiled rotten like his big brother, who is 11.

  • bluejaye

    July 29, 2007 at 1:53 pm

    Ghost dog. It took a second to tell it was even there, very subtle. I need something that size for over the mantle. Is that just the base, will it be darker, more detailed? Can’t wait to see it when you call it done. You know that the only reason that the Mona Lisa is the way it is is because DaVinci died. I read that he was constantly changing it. He was never satisfied with it. I thnnk you have finished more paintings than he did. He seemed to start a lot of things, but wasn’t always a finisher.

  • Lori

    July 29, 2007 at 4:13 pm

    I love the painting that Baby Bug is sitting in front of. I think it is perfect just the way it is. I especially like how you can see the texture. I think it is my favorite so far! Don’t stop, even if there are some critics out there. Keep doing what makes you happy!

  • DeeJay

    July 30, 2007 at 3:34 am

    Way coolio painting!! I’d love to have it in my home…since my two kids are dogs anyways. Heheheh..okay let me reprhrase that…since I have two dogs that are like kids to me. There. hehe

  • Heather

    July 30, 2007 at 9:06 am

    SAJ, I just wanted to say that I love your paintings. There are several dog lovers I know that would be proud to display your art in their homes, including myself.

  • Susan

    July 30, 2007 at 12:43 pm

    So cute! Despite bars on the windows at Surf Dog I think its a really cute little place and a great place to start your art debut. How awesome!

  • Lexi

    July 30, 2007 at 1:35 pm

    I think your paintings are really good….much better than I could do, especially with a baby around!

    I also have to restrain myself from looking at sad doggies….I wanna take them home but that would never do since I have a tiny apt with no yard to speak of, and I don’t want to be like my next-door-neighbor, who just leaves her dog outside on a lead all day in the heat.