Meet Abigail Gahnstrom: The Artist Behind @Poodlism.Art

Some pieces of art make you smile. Others make you think. And every now and then, one quietly changes the way you see the world.

When I first discovered Poodlism Art, I was instantly captivated.

Inspired by Jeff Koons’ iconic Balloon Dog sculptures, each piece transforms our four-legged companions into colourful, playful works of contemporary art. But these aren’t simply copies of Koons’ famous sculptures. Every portrait is lovingly personalised, turning each dog into a joyful celebration of their own unique personality.

As many of you know, I have collected rather a lot of artwork of Darcy, George and Lulu over the years.

Watercolours. Oils. Pencil sketches. Digital illustrations. Ceramics.

In fact, I’ve reached the point where I have far more portraits than I have walls. So whenever I commission something new, it has to feel genuinely different.

Poodlism Art certainly did.

Instead of recreating my dogs realistically, the artwork captures them through the playful language of balloon art, bright, contemporary and instantly recognisable.

I knew I wanted one. Actually…I wanted three.

I asked whether Darcy, George and Lulu could all be in one portrait. 

Then came the fun part. Choosing their little accessories. Some dogs carried balloons. Others held hearts. Some played with balls.

For Darcy, I briefly wondered about giving her a halo. But then another thought appeared.

A butterfly.

Oddly enough, butterflies have never been part of my story with Darcy. I’ve never associated them with her. So I simply accepted the idea without thinking very much about why.

The artwork arrived. It was beautiful.

But what happened afterwards surprised me far more.

Over the following days, I seemed to see more butterflies than I remember any other time.

Perhaps they had always been there. Perhaps I was simply noticing them for the first time. Or perhaps… something else.

A few months ago I wrote about Signs, after reading Laura Lynne Jackson’s remarkable book. I wanted so desperately to know that Darcy was safe. That somehow, somewhere, she was still with me.

There had been moments that made me wonder. The advert on the side of a London taxi. Unexpected encounters. Little coincidences that felt almost too perfect. Yet nothing ever felt quite definitive.

Then I mentioned the butterfly to my friend Nadine. She smiled.

“Maybe you’re looking at it the wrong way. Perhaps it wasn’t you who chose the butterfly.”

“Maybe Darcy did.”

I stopped. Because I’d genuinely never considered that possibility.

Could a thought simply appear? Could inspiration itself be the sign? I honestly don’t know.

Perhaps butterflies are simply butterflies. Perhaps our hearts notice what they most long to see. Or perhaps signs are gentler than we imagine.

Not dramatic. Not unmistakable. Just quiet little whispers that make us stop for a moment.

Whatever the answer, every butterfly now makes me think of Darcy.

And somehow…that feels like a rather lovely gift from a piece of art.

Which brings me to the wonderfully talented artist behind Poodlism Art.

Today I’d love to introduce the creative mind who brought my three little balloon dogs to life.

Meet Abi Gahnstrom of Poodlism Art.