My first painting in six or seven years is of our beautiful and protective hound Baxter.
Dingo X with an attitude to match. He used to steal live chickens, roast chickens and neighbourhood dog's bowls with food still in it. His days of bringing home snacks are over. Mustering a short walk or two is all he does now. I would be surprised if he lasts to Christmas.
Thrown away in a plastic bag is no start for a dog- and he never forgot it. Cautious of people, especially 'farmer' types, made him a great guard dog but not so friendly. As we say- "He is not a patting dog." 'Dog whisperers' included.
He had a brother, we found out a couple of years ago, who was known as the 'wild dog' of the local area and lived free, stealing food. He was eventually adopted by a dog lover. As soon as we saw the photos and heard the story we knew it his sibling.
I had to paint this now while he is still alive. Tears and oil paint don't mix.
On holiday dog.
We will miss you when you go.
39 comments:
What a beautifully haunting painting...drew me right in & gave me little shivers before I even read the story.
I'm in awe of your artistry Don - you are a true Renaissance Man :)
Wow!
awesome painting
i know so well the love for a hound
in my corner we're hoping ours will last 'til christmas and beyond if there's a miracle up for grabs.
our much loved sydney pound hound recently celebrated his 18th bthdy with a walk on the beach... i suspect his last.
take care and keep on painting... truly beautiful
i'm about to start again after a few years apart
x Robyn
A lovely keepsake. Such sad news.
Our dear Cleo, a tiny stray puppy, that walked into the school yard where I was teaching, left us 5 years ago and I remember the tears. We now have Zulu, a Portuguese Water Dog, and he brings us much joy.
Ohhh, your love for your dog is clear in that beautifully rendered painting, and his eyes appear full of love looking back at you too. That is wonderful. You are a man of many talents.
Jilly Be. Thank you, it's nice to paint again.
Robyn.18! Now that is getting on. All the best with your new painting. It really is like riding a bike. Well, maybe not the first hour!)
Sylvia- Zulu- great name and I did have to google that type- they are very cute.
Carolyn- Thanks so much. I tried to capture his 'soft' side.
It must have been difficult painting this knowing that Baxter has little time left..... but what a beautiful painting with such soul!The bond between a dog who has started out badly and his new loving human parent is so very strong. I know this bond and feel for you and Grrl. Best of all Baxter knows he is loved. What better place to be.
Is there anything you aren't good at Don? this picture is incredible. Animals are funny how they transcend their status as 'pet' and become a member of your family. He's obviously had a wonderful life stealing chickens and such to live so long!
x
I love Baxter Dingo X even if he doesn't "do" petting. Kiss his paw for me though, if he lets you!!
Wonderful portrait of your hound- he's got such haunting eyes! I can't bear to think about being without my dog. I hope you have many, many more days of companionship with him x
i am so glad that something so meaningful pulled you back in to painting... and what parallel spirits you are, yes? two earth travelers brought together for a short while, enhancing each others' lives... beautiful...
you captured such a loving look!
It is beautiful.
I can see your H-art in this painting!!!
Truly heartwarming. I hope Baxter surprises you like one of our dogs, Pepper. She's going on 16 and we thought we would have lost her years ago at this point. Her once-black face is entirely white now, she's mostly deaf, hobbles a little, and sleeps a lot. But every once in a while she gets a spurt and chases one of our other dogs for a few minutes and you can see the puppy again. She also still barks as loud as ever at everyone and everything. She was never really a petting dog either, except for immediate family. ;-)
Great art - thanks for sharing & Happy Trails!
It's a great painting...like the composition and the colors used...so pleased you and grrl and baxter found each other...
The portrait is very poignant - I think you have captured him so well. I wish dogs could live forever. My Rex is also seeing out the Winter of his life ...
Your creativity knows no bounds Don. And enjoy every single second with Baxter.
Stealing chickens and dog bowls full ... i do love his spunk ! knowing how time and attention slowed his roaming free soul. Wonderful painting. I remember the beautiful quilt grrl made too. Hold tight .
A beautiful painting. I am impressed.
Robyn-I balled my eyes just writing this post.
Grant- I can't add numbers.
Beanie- you understand- not a kissing dog.
Dotty- he has such emotional eyes so it was easy.
Marie- funny, I actually never made that connection between our beginnings- too true. We both had such hard early years.
Peggy- thanks so much.
Debbie- Pepper sounds great- you know how im feeling.
DogpackMomma (great name)Thanks!
Chrissy- Thanks, we have some moments, sometimes he chews my arm. I have scars too.
Sue- Thanks and my love to Rex.
Seth- Thanks!
Mansuetude- Thanks - he had some amazing tricks.
Zom, thanks, very kind.
Oh, my heart! How can one ever fully recover from falling inlove with an animal. I don't believe we do, really. They are above all the most loyal friends we'll probably ever have. I'm sure he knows of this portrait and praises you for your talents (which ought to be praised), bless bless! :) xo
Totally get that he doesn't "do" soft and fluffy!!! An ear scratch would work equally as well though...! (Very well executed painting BTW...!)
What a very beautiful painting of Baxter - you are very talented. Enjoy the time you have with your lovely friend - and it may be longer than you are fearing - you are clearly giving him the best love and care.
Gosh, I love this painting of you beloved retainer, Don! There is nobody as true as ones dog. Greetings from sus and flossy!
I don't know what to say... Love the painting, love the pic... I hope his fate will be good to him... he certainly knows how loved he is...
Magda
Extraordinary painting. Loving story. Dogs mean so much to their family....He's been lucky to have you and vice-versa!
Your painting is wonderful, I don't know what else to say other than I'm incredibly sad for you.
Beautiful! Many more non-patting days ahead I hope!
Oh Darlibng, you've captured him in all his glory, there's a look of love there, you're all blessed to have had each other. xo.
Tears on reading this. I have come to 'know' your 'Baxter', through Grrl's blog.
Lovley painting Don. Enjoy your time with him. He was fortunate in finding both of you.
Beautiful. The painting and the sentiment behind it. Being a dog person also (as you know) I still sometimes have a hard time being so...that attachment and love which makes everything so *right* is also what makes it so hard at times.
But whacha gonna do? Keep on loving and enjoying!
"He is not a patting dog." 'Dog whisperers' included."
HA!
Don,thanks for the heads up on 'The Dog' by Goya. Wonderful painting. I shall have to hunt down a print of it.
oh my goodness!!!!
this is really amazing, i didnt know you paint, wow... he has wonderful eyes!
"Tears and oil paint don't mix"
love this.
Oh, makes me sad...wish they didn't have to get old....and us humans too for that matter :o) ....what a gorgeous painting....oh to be so multi-talented as you!
Louise. Thank you. we really do fall in love with pets.
Eugenia. Thank you. Yep, he is in good hands.
Susan. Thank you. Give my love to Foss and Sus.
Magdamagda. Thank you, not only does he know haw loved he is, he takes advantage of it with those big, hungry, feed-me eyes.
Chris, thanks.
Erica, Amanda, Cherie. Thanks so much. We love him dearly.
Herhimnbryn. I had many tears writing this post.
Judah. Thanks so much.
Illustration Poetry/ Mita. Thank you. Very kind coming from the Queen of poetry and art.
Cynthia. Thank you. I know what you mean. Bloody 'circle of life'.
That is such a wonderful painting. And I just love your phrase about the oil paint and the tears. You nailed it!
I read your post the day you posted it, I cried like a baby. Anything I would have written would have been totally incoherent. I needed to respond to your post. I want to say how talented I think you are and how lucky your dog is to have found you, and you both are in my prayers. Damn those lovely hairy things that don't live nearly long enough.
What a beautiful painting, it radiates a warmth and love that only a dog and can owner share, that deep heartfelt knowing.
Treasure your time with Baxter, he is lucky to have you and grrldog as his family.
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