Wally Dugs at the Tiny Travelling Gallery

 

Back when I was poking around the Auckland Museum looking for something to paint I noticed these weird brown ceramic dogs in the bottom of a cabinet, there was something about their strange stylised faces, wiggly fur and chains with lockets which I found quite captivating, thus began my latest obsession. They are known as wally dogs/ wally dugs/ mantle dogs/ hearth spaniels/ fireside dogs/ Staffordshire dog figurines. They always have the lock and chain draped over their back. They are the perfect vehicle for my wiggly gouache paintings. 

 
 
Studio pic

Studio pic

I made these cardboard frames with gold chains to match their gold chains. This was actually the third one I did, it's hard to tell but the black is slightly bluish.

I made these cardboard frames with gold chains to match their gold chains. This was actually the third one I did, it's hard to tell but the black is slightly bluish.

This was my second painting, the first didn't make it into the exhibition.

This was my second painting, the first didn't make it into the exhibition.

Here they are on the wall amongst some other Tiny Travelling Gallery arts. This photo was by the excellent Emmeline Bailey, check out her stuff here: http://baileysalchemy.bigcartel.com/

Here they are on the wall amongst some other Tiny Travelling Gallery arts. This photo was by the excellent Emmeline Bailey, check out her stuff here: http://baileysalchemy.bigcartel.com/

 

The Tiny Travelling Gallery

 
tttgposter-scout

I'm totally thrilled to be part of this epic exhibition (50 artists!) which opens this Saturday at 2pm. I'm also delighted that my painting of Scout, my friend's cat was chosen for the artwork on one of the posters, knock em dead Scout!

However my artworks for the show are all dog related, I've become enamoured of Wally Dugs (a.k.a. Wally Dogs a.k.a mantle dogs a.k.a. Staffordshire dog figurines) and have put 2 paintings and a riso print in the exhibition, pics to come soon.

http://tinygallerynz.com/