Canine Art
Wolves - Sled Dogs - Northern & working breeds
Canines have been a recurring subject throughout my career, particularly wolves. More recently my work has expended to sled dogs and northern working breeds.
After decades of studying and painting wolves, I have developed an intimate understanding of canine anatomy, structure and expression. That knowledge naturally carries into my drawings and paintings of dogs. Having also worked with sled dogs, I am fascinated by the subtle differences between individuals — the shape of a head, the set of the ears, a particular expression or gesture that immediately reveals personality.
I find myself especially drawn to Northern dogs that still carry something ancient and wild in their appearance. Powerful structure, heavy coats, rugged individuality, and that slightly primitive quality that seems to place them somewhere between the domestic dog and the wild canid.
Canines in My Fine Art
Canines hold a natural place within my larger body of work exploring Alaska and the North. Wolves have long been part of my work, and sled dogs and northern working breeds extend that fascination into the relationship between the wild and the domestic.
What interests me is not simply the dog as a subject, but its presence within the northern world: its character, physicality, history and enduring connection to a life shaped by wilderness and climate. For me, these animals belong naturally within the same artistic world as the wildlife, landscapes and atmosphere of the North.
I am drawn to the place where the domestic dog still carries something of the wild.
Commissions
I accept a limited number of private commissions each year, with a particular focus on canine portraits.
Each portrait is created as an original work of art, with particular attention to the anatomy, expression and subtle characteristics that make an individual dog immediately recognizable, while bringing the same sensitivity and painterly approach that I use in my wildlife work.
I particularly enjoy working with northern and larger working breeds, although commissions are considered individually.
Selected wildlife and other subjects may also be considered.
Small original oil portraits start at $1,000. This starting price applies to a single dog, generally in sizes up to approximately 9 × 12 inches, with a simple background. The exact dimensions may vary depending on the composition and proportions best suited to the individual dog.
Portraits are painted from photographs provided by the client. I will review several images with you to select the reference best suited to a painting. Larger paintings, multiple dogs and more complex compositions are quoted individually.
Inquire about a Commission
Please use the form below to tell me a little about the commission you have in mind, including the subject, whether you are interested in a drawing or an oil painting, and the approximate size. I will reply with availability, pricing and the next steps.