Please allow me one more quick departure from food…
If you saw my post from last night, you know that our beloved canine Webster,
“The Veggie Dog,” passed away this month. But, he has been immortalized in art…
Last Monday, Norfolk-based artist, printmaker and adjunct professor, Heather Bryant, gave an engaging presentation to my school’s National Art Honor Society, which I sponsor. She was immensely generous with her time and talent, showing a powerpoint that explained the process of lithography and bringing a large portfolio of original lithographs and her sketchbooks for the students and me to actually handle.
During the Q&A, one of my students asked her if she created pieces by request. In response, she picked up the print that you see in the photo and explained how it was created for a friend whose dog, Cookie, had passed away. My breath caught in my throat, and I knew then that I would have to purchase it. So, I told everyone the story, which they all warmly embraced, and I purchased the print which Heather inscribed “In Memory of Webster.”
I love how peaceful “Cookie” looks, how the sunflowers set over her, how gentle and joyful the little skeletal-ghost creatures are, and how she is survived by another member of her pack. (Webster, too, is survived by pack members.) And I also love how Heather included the tools of her trade–her grease pencils–in the composition.
To see more of Heather’s art, including her “Sketch a Day,” visit her blog at heathermbryant.wordpress.com.
Art Credit: “Cookie” by Heather Bryant, lithograph, 2009
November 23, 2009 at 1:26 pm
That's a very beautiful picture.
November 23, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Oh this is beautiful, what a wonderful tribute to Webster!
November 23, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Isn't it? Heather is so talented and it was just such a coincidence that she had this piece with her and that one of the students inquired about it. My husband got tears in his eyes when I told him about it. I can't wait to get it back from the framer's.
November 23, 2009 at 9:22 pm
fabo fabo…how wonderfully serendipitous…very cool piece!!
November 23, 2009 at 9:45 pm
wonderful story, beautiful image!
November 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I knew two of my very favorite artists would love it. Thanks for letting me know!
November 24, 2009 at 3:47 am
How beautiful, it's a breath-taking piece and with how it all worked out you know it was ment for you.
November 24, 2009 at 7:30 am
Don't you think so? The synchronicity was a bit uncanny!