Title: “The Dog House”

Artist: Marieke Davis

Medium:  Watercolor

Size:  13″ x 19″ x 0.1″

Price:  $700.00

Artist’s Thoughts:  My goal for “The Dog House” illustration was for it to be playful, fun, and informative. I was inspired by magazines like The New Yorker and Highlights, and wanted my piece to tell the story of an elderly woman who has lived a rich life with her canine companions. The pictures on her walls show the places she and her dogs have traveled and jobs she has held like police officer, firefighter, dog sled racer, and sheepherder. She is commissioning a new portrait of her and her dog family, but things go awry. Using information from the AKC’s website, I drew 11 dogs to represent the nine recognized breed groups: German Shepherd (Working), Dalmatian (Non-Sporting), Scottish Terrier (Terrier), Klee Kai (FSS), Pomeranian (Toy), Golden Retriever (Sporting), Cocker Spaniel (Sporting), Dachshund (Hound), Border Collie (Herding), French Bulldog (Non-Sporting), and an Akita Inu (Miscellaneous). I chose fairly recognizable breeds and matched each one with a distinct occupation, personality, or trait.