Ever since I was able to pick up a crayon, I have been drawn to conceive images of animals and rainbows. It may sound childish, but these two elements still play key roles in my work today, although they have developed significantly since then. I am particularly captivated by the dog, an animal I have always lived in close relation to.In September 2003, I began the four year program at the Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD) as a painting major. I had no idea what opportunities this degree would provide me, nevertheless I felt confident something would present itself when it was needed. My time at ACAD provided the opportunity to experiment with a variety of subject matter. I was constantly rethinking my work, trying to go about it in new ways but felt torn between doing what I wanted or doing what others thought I should or could do. Before I knew it, my final semester had arrived and I was suddenly struck with the reality of graduation being just around the corner. The safety of being in school would soon be over and I realized now was the ideal time for me to start a direction of work I would have the desire to sustain once the drive of ACAD had ceased. After numerous failed attempts to suppress it, animals and vibrant colours had continued to surface in the shadows of my mind and briskly appear in my work. I was drawn back to the simplicity and joy of dogs as if they were the only thing my soul would allow me to capture. While pet portraiture had always been an avenue I had considered pursuing, I never thought it would integrate into my school studio work.
One morning in mid February 2007 an idea came to me, one that seemed so brilliant and yet potentially ridiculous that I wondered why it had not come to me earlier. River Park is an off leash dog park only blocks from my house and is filled with art inspiring subjects; somehow I needed to tap in to this resource and find some tail wagging participants. I wrote a letter stating who I was and what I wanted to do. It expressed a need for volunteers who could spare some time that would allow me to photograph their dog, which I could then use as a reference for a painting. Honestly, I wondered if I may be going crazy, since I had never been so desperate that I needed to ask complete strangers for help. But the plan worked. The letter was posted on lampposts in River Park the next day and I received the first phone call later that same day. Just as I had envisioned it, an opportunity had suddenly become available, presenting itself in a unique and energizing way.
For the next few weeks I took phone calls, answered emails and headed off to the dog park armed with my camera and clipboard. Owners filled out a short questionnaire about their dog providing me with general information such as breed, sex and age as well as notes about their dog’s character. Colour can represent energy thoughts and feelings through association and symbology so as I began to read through the provided depictions of each dog, words became colour coded. Certain descriptions were categorized depending on where they fit symbolically into the colour wheel. This deconstruction was then visually transformed through the luminous application of oil paint on each twelve inch square canvas. Each dog portrait now took on a life of its own through the use of colour capturing the feisty, relaxed or sweet essence of each Dogality: the dog version of personality.
A new momentum took shape, one of much determination and drive. Within forty five days, I had completed twenty dog portraits for the ACAD Grad Show in May 2007. Another five were done to complete the series for the Painting 07 show, which opened June 1, 2007. Although my journey through art school was discouraging at times, the constant push and pull I experienced directed me to my current vocation. All the introspection has led me to an awareness and strength, knowing the importance of being true to ones self and creating honest work that reflects aspects which I, as the artist, find important and inspiring. I say the series was completed when in reality it continues to grow. Its development has given me the foundation on which I can continue to build as I gain recognition within the dog community and art world. Dogality has become an art form fosters my passion, creating work I love for people who love their dogs.