Fresh Paint
Sally Muir
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but you can paint an
old dog using new tricks. Artist Sally Muir’s latest collection
of characterful canine portraits focuses on mature mutts,
yet despite it being her second such book devoted solely
to this subject, her fascination is undimmed.
“I’m always excited to paint a new dog,” she explains.
“I find them endlessly interesting to paint, each one is quite
unique in their own way and sets their own furry challenge.”
The resulting book – Old Dogs – is a delight; not only
page after page of adorable pets with heart-warming
stories, but also a succession of endlessly inventive
compositions rendered with an expressive yet economical
set of brushstrokes. According to Sally, there are several
keys when it comes to capturing the character of a beloved
pet with paint. While the eyes are an “obvious” one, it is
also important, she says, to look at the way dogs hold
themselves. “Their stance is very important, that’s why
I like to see the dog, or lots of photos, if possible.”
Despite such a natural facility with the brush, Sally only
turned to fine art later in life during a successful career as
a knitwear designer and author. In 1979, she began the
company Warm and Wonderful with her partner Joanne
Osborne and within a year Princess Diana was wearing one
of the couple’s jumpers. An innuendo-avoiding name
change to Muir & Osborne followed as the couple co-wrote
seven popular knitting pattern books and saw their designs
featured in Hollywood films and collected by the V&A.
She took time out to study a BA at Bath School of Art
and Design, graduating in 2003. “I’d highly recommend it,
I loved being a mature student, there were a small group
of us and we were very focused.”
It wasn’t an easy experience, but one that has clearly
shaped her practice. “I found it hard, particularly the crits,
never having had to explain or defend my work before,”
she says. “It gave me confidence in what I was doing and I
learnt as much from my fellow students as from the tutors.”
Appearances in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
and ING Discerning Eye followed, while a commitment to
paint 365 dogs in a year resulted in her first book of pet
portraits, A Dog A Day. Last year, Muir & Osborne ceased
making knitwear too, giving Sally more time for her
painting. Fashion’s loss is clearly fine art’s gain.
Old Dogs is published by Pavilion. http://www.sallymuir.co.ukFresh
Paint
Inspiring new artworks, straight off the easel