Endearing Companions

Collector's Focus: Pets–Wild at Heart

Introduction By John O’Hern

When wolves were brave enough to wander into human encampments to consume scraps of food perhaps 30,000 years ago, they began a chain of evolution in which wild animals became domesticated working animals and eventually pets—some were even bred to be, well, cute. Dogs evolved from the wolves, developing smaller jaws and teeth. Domesticated cats came along around 7,000 B.C. with the advent of agriculture—stored grain that attracted mice, that attracted cats.

Broadmoor Galleries, Companionship, oil on canvas, 24 x 20”, by Mian Situ.Pets have been subjects in paintings for thousands of years, but by the 18th-century they appeared as status symbols and as symbols themselves for other qualities. In 1787 to 88, Francisco Goya painted Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zuñiga, an elegantly dressed 3 or 4-year-old boy surrounded by pets—a magpie tethered to a string, finches in a cage and three wide-eyed cats gazing hungrily at the magpie which holds Goya’s calling card in its beak.

The animals have been burdened with various interpretations over the years and, certainly, they weren’t included in the composition by accident. The caged finches have been interpreted as the soul or the boy’s innocence; the cats as evil, the magpie with the calling card as gossip. Regardless, the pleasant first impression of the scene gives way to a sense of foreboding.

Evoke Contemporary, 8-bit Sacred Heart, oil on canvas, 40 x 30”, by Patrick McGrath Muñíz.

In Mian Situ’s Companionship, dogs play at the feet of a woman holding a child in maternal companionship. The dogs are companions to one another and, one day, will be companions to the child. Situ was brought up in the rural countryside of China, a place of simple living. With the advent of Mao Tse-Tung’s Cultural Revolution, however, all academic teaching came to an end. Some, like Situ, turned to art. In his paintings, he tells stories of the beauty in the day-to-day life of Chinese people—as he says, “the rhythms of their lives.”

Patrick McGrath Muñíz explains, “As an artist living in Texas, with a Roman Catholic background and growing up during the 1980s and 90s in the island of Puerto Rico, the oldest colony in the Western hemisphere, my work responds to our globalized neo-liberal consumer society and its environmental indifference by tracing its origins to the time of Columbus.”

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zuñiga, 1787-88, oil on canvas, 50 x 40”, by Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, 1746–1828); James Swanson, Cooling Off, oil, 20 x 16”; Olivia Willoughby, Bilbo, pastel, 16 x 12”

In 8-bit Sacred Heart he pixilates a traditional depiction of the heart of Christ, emulating the 8-bit electronic devices of his boyhood. As a boy he had no idea how electronics would take over our lives. In the foreground are two boys captured by a TV remote control and a smart phone. Behind them are two bewildered dogs which, he says, “seem to be ignored in favor of non-living objects that have seized total devotion of the young curious eyes.”

Despite their role in illustrative narratives, our pets are part of us. As the French Nobel Prize laureate Anatole France observed, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

Throughout this section, we hear from artists and galleries that share their unique perspective on the genre of domesticated animals we call pets.

Beth Parcell, Soft Spot, oil on canvas, 12 x 16”

Artist James Swanson believes that pets are more than just animals—they are family members that bring us joy, companionship and unconditional love. “When it comes to painting animals, I like to start by observing their behavior and personality when I can,” says Swanson. “I want to capture the essence of their personality in my painting, whether it is their playful nature, their loyalty or their calm demeanor. I also pay close attention to the animal’s physical features. In terms of technique, I like to use thick and thin paint to create depth and texture in my paintings. Oils allow me to build up layers of color, while giving a softness and transparency to the painting. At the end of the day, painting pets is not just about capturing their likeness on a canvas. It is about celebrating their spirit, their love and the special bond we share with them.” James Swanson, The Good Boy, oil, 18 x 24” Endearing, personal pet portraits are the hallmark of Fiona Purdy’s work. Her paintings celebrate each pet or animal, acknowledging and honoring all of the qualities their owners adore. “As a pet owner myself, I understand completely the deep bond and love that exists between us and the animals that share our lives,” says Purdy. “They are more than just animals we own; they are members of our families. A portrait keeps them close to us and will become a beautiful reminder of just how much their pure love and joy has enriched our lives.” Purdy’s talent in perfectly capturing each pet’s personality and best-loved qualities sets her portraits apart.

When collecting for the genre, Purdy’s advice is to “select a pet portrait artist whose style you feel best captures the personality of your pet. Also, it’s key to like the artist and enjoy and have fun during the entire project!”

Beth Parcell’s passion in life has always been to paint animals, domestic or wild, in oil. “I strive to convey the essence, the soul, of each one,” she explains. “My paintings are always filled with love for the animals, and it is an honor to bring joy to someone’s day with my art. I paint dogs, horses and cats, and then I switch to wild animals like foxes and waterfowl. Horses in sports such as racing and foxhunting are my specialty.”

Parcell notes that commissions are welcome. While meeting the animal in person is preferable, the artist can get a sense of them through photos supplied by the client.

Top: Raitman Art Galleries, Howard, bronze, 49 x 35 x 64”, by Marty Goldstein; James Swanson, Dozer, oil, 30 x 24”; Fiona Purdy, Portrait of Perry, ink and acrylic wash on watercolor paper, 7 x 5” . Bottom: Johanne Mangi, Luna Reflecting, oil on linen board, 14 x 18” ; Raitman Art Galleries, Doodle in a Teal VW Door, mixed media, 42 x 38 x 8”, by DD LaRue.

Art has always been part of Johanne Mangi’s life. Since she can remember, she tried to draw anything and everything. Copying greetings cards and cartoon characters were a main source. Today, dogs and horse are the artists main passion. “My pack of dogs have always been my muses,” Mangi shares. “They continue to provide inspiration, and since I am an avid proponent of painting from life, I heartily use them as reference. Whenever I get stuck working on a commission, I don’t have to look very far for real life references.”

Olivia Willoughby lives and works from her home in rural Dorset, England. Like other artists featured in this section, she has always had a strong relationship with animals, and feels blessed to combine her love of animals and art in her work. With a style rooted in both traditional tenets and contemporary interpretation, Willoughby is often described as a realist, demonstrating a close attention to detail. “I am a self-taught artist, working predominantly in oils and soft pastels,” she says. “Beauty is and always has been very important to me. My inspiration comes from an ever-increasing awe for the wonders of the natural world and love for the beauty of the animal kingdom.” Willoughby undertakes both human and animal portraiture, as well as wildlife—the big cats being a favorite subject.

Please contact the artist directly for information regarding pricing for originals and commissions.

Olivia Willoughby, Blue and Gold, pastel, 19½ x 13½”

Showing pet-themed art has been a staple at Raitman Art Galleries since the business’s founding in 2007. The gallery found its footing through making people smile. Nearly 16 years later, spreading joy has been integral to the gallery’s mission. “Pets are a part of the American fabric. They are a source of constant love and affection and finding ways to bring them into an art collection is exciting,” says gallery owner Brian Raitman.

Raitman Art Galleries represents two iconic dog sculpture artists, both depicting the joyful state of the coveted pet. DD LaRue developed a way to capture pure, unbridled happiness and innocence in dogs by sculpting them in VW Beetle windows.

Marty Goldstein’s art is “whimsical and elegant,” says Raitman reps. “His understanding of how simply tilting his subject’s head slightly or increasing the size of the dog’s eyes as he sculpts their fun faces is necessary in his heartening art. Round forms and exaggerated features brighten nearly every piece that he creates.”

Fiona Purdy, Portrait of Tehya, acrylic on canvas, 8 x 8”

When collecting, Raitman says, “With a multitude of artists depicting pets as a subject, it becomes important to find artists whose works are as distinctive as every dog’s or cat’s personality. When executed successfully, pet-themed art becomes a unique addition to an art collection. Often, it will be the most talked about work in a collector’s home, gallery or museum.” —