Humor In Art

Anyone who has owned a dog knows that although they lack verbal communication skills (besides barking, of course), dogs have a unique way of expressing emotions through their faces and eyes. A dog owner can easily recognize when his dog is happy, sad or begging for a treat. And every dog certainly has a classic face – a signature expression that is so quintessentially him.

Unfortunately, most owners outlive their dogs, and many like to remember their beloved pets by their unique, adorable faces and expressions. Dog sculptures can capture those expressions in greater detail than photographs can; these personalized collectibles are priceless when it comes to remembering your beloved dog’s playful nature. If you’d like to own a timeless memorial of your dog, look into commissioning a sculpture from a talented artist who specializes in dog sculptures.

Clay has long been used as a material for creating sculptures, and because of its malleable nature, can be crafted into a wide range of shapes.  Clay becomes malleable when mixed with water in certain proportions, and while the clay remains wet, it can be shaped and sculpted with ease.  When the clay dries out, it can crack and become rigid.  When fired in a kiln, there are permanent chemical reactions that occur within the clay to prevent it from becoming soft and malleable again.  In ancient times, clay was used for making pottery in various cultures.  Clay is distributed throughout the world, and most often there are numerous layers of clay right below the ground’s surface.  Because of its wide distribution, clay was used to create bowls, dishes, tools, and all kinds of living essentials in ancient cultures.  Clay was also used in art to create clay sculptures and other pieces.

When clay dries, it becomes near impermeable to water, and because of this it was often used in bricks to create structures such as houses.  We still use clay in modern times to create barriers in dams or landfills to prevent toxic substances from seeping into the ground.

Close-up of subject

Mr. Finnegan reposes. ceramic sculpture portrait, 2009.

What’s the purpose of art?  To decorate?  To inform? To give meaning?  Sometimes all three.  This artwork was commissioned as a way of honoring and remembering a great dog. This client came brought in her beloved dog, Mr. Finnegan on the day the commission was initiated.  Mr. Finnegan was ailing, and his owners had informed me he did not have much time left.  Since he had been brought into the studio,  I thought it would be great if we could get an imprint of his paw,  I was sure I could incorporate it somehow into the piece.  The client took home a few small slabs of clay, and the next day brought back the imprints, along with some sad news that Mr. Finnegan had passed away during the night.  This imprint became a pillow in the piece, and gave even more meaning to a loving companion who brought so much love and light to his owners.

I’ve always thought that my Auntie Jan was a little bit odd.  Scattered around her house, she has a huge collection of animal sculptures.  From what my mom has told me, she’s never had pets, but her collection of dog sculptures probably weighs more than a Great Dane!  While I’ve always wondered where Auntie Jan’s fascination with sculptures came from, I’ve also recognized that my mom seems to share some of the same fascination (though to a much lesser extent). 

While I was in high school, I took a class on making ceramics and found that I wasn’t half bad at it.  In the first couple weeks, I made a sculpture of my dog, Ludo, and the teacher praised me for the detail of it.  After recognizing I had a particular passion for sculpture, I talked to Auntie Jan and she told me that all of her sculptures were made by a professional sculptor.  I didn’t even know there was such a thing, but professional sculptors are not all that uncommon.  I think I even dreamed of becoming one for a time!

It’s inevitable that pets will pass on before their masters, however, for those truly special pets that touch our lives like no others have, you might consider immortalizing them in a pet sculpture.  Though custom sculptors aren’t all that common, if you can find one, having pet sculptures made of your lifelong animal friends will preserve their memories forever.  You can display pet sculptures on the mantle, a bedside table, or even on the Christmas tree, no matter where you put them they’re sure to keep watch over you and your family.  They’re also great for pet enthusiasts who just love to show off their pets!

Don’t let your pets pass on without having something to remember them by, pet sculptures are an ideal way to stay connected with your animals even after they pass.