Artist Statement
Begun in 2006, these portraits of stray dogs seek to capture the soul and personality of animals left to fend for themselves on the streets. While facing the daily hardship of securing food and shelter, they maintain an undaunted spirit.
Found in abundance on the streets of Nicaragua, these dogs are a sad bunch that for the most part get kicked and chased away. But they are survivors and great characters–one cannot help but be touched by them. They are very human in their behavior and fascinating to watch as they scour the streets for nourishment and affection. In their dignity, these dogs remind the painter of the human struggle in Nicaragua, whose people while downtrodden exhibit the strength and desire to survive.
Although the paintings in the Stray Dogs series begin with sketches done on site, as well as with photographs, they are painted with an intuitive directness. After a few preliminary sketches, the work on the 5’x5’ unstretched canvases begins with thinned oil paint, or at times first with charcoal, which creates a ghost-like drawn image. The painting usually comes together quickly, with a sense of immediacy that complements the observation that first drew the artist to her subject—a dramatic shadow, an unusual bend of a tail, or a gently curved paw.
The paintings explore a range of techniques and stylistic approaches in depicting the character of specific dogs and the challenges they face. The painterly techniques vary from thin washes and drips to thick and densely textured brush work. In some paintings, the initial charcoal drawing remains as an integral part of the image. The paintings encompass realistic depictions with close attention paid to the play of light over form, to gestural, expressionist canvases, to strongly abstract works where a canine’s silhouetted shape and shadow dominate. Throughout, the interplay of form and vibrant color is central to making this work.
These paintings ask the viewer both to respond personally and emotionally to the particular images that speak to them, and to a larger reality: how a culture treats its animals reveals its sense of responsibility to the environment, and to its own human needs. |
