Martine’s Dogs

Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it. – Danny Kaye

Martine’s dogs are colourful! She interprets them the way she feels like it. Here are some of her works.

May’s comments: We met Martine and Rusty because of our cockapoos – and they were one of the early members of our Hyde Park Doodles group. We have seen her develop her dog art over the years and todays she is an Artist in Residence at the Dandie doggy cafe.

We asked Martine how she got started painting dogs and why.

I am probably better known for designing and planting window boxes under the name The Balcombe Street Window Box Company (www.window-box.co.uk) . However, more recently  I have branched out into the world of art.  

I have always loved art from as far back as I can remember. It was the only subject in school I was any good at really. I have gone through phases of painting a lot to not painting at all. However, a few years ago I decided to take an adult course in painting at the Hampstead School of Art, one day I was inspired to paint my cockapoo Rusty to and I haven’t looked back since.  

I have painted so many breeds of dogs, some all in one colour, others in several. My work is more pop art than fine art and I love to paint in bright colours, the more outrageous the better. I like to have fun with my paintings and have created some funny takes on fine art pieces such as Dog with Pearl Earing and a version of a Klimt mother and child painting too.

I have also done a few music based paintings with an ode to David Bowie with Ziggy Poo. Sometimes the ideas just pop in my head. I am sure what I see walking around during the day or on TV somehow influences my thoughts and trickles down into painting ideas. To get the essence of the dog though, I think you need to feature on one part and get it right, it could be they eyes or their fur so when you see it, you’ll instantly recognise the dog. Its imperative to get the personality into the painting. With Rusty he has always had a round bouffant hair do, so I exaggerate that when painting him. He features heavily in my collection, of course!

I love using colour and will decide on what colours depending on the subject. Sometimes the colour comes to me as its in the photo I am working from and sometimes I just have a feeling. When painting for clients the colours are usually chosen by them as they will have a favourite in mind or want it to match in with some furnishings

I take commissions and paint from photos and like to include things that are meaningful to the owner, it could be a tennis ball, a football club, flowers or just a colour.

My work is currently on display at Dandie Dog Café in Hampstead until the 18^th July so come and have a look and also enjoy this great café where humans and dogs can both dine together. There is a human and dog menu on offer.

If you are interested a commission, get in touch with Martine on her Instagram account @fabulousand or email her at info@window-box.co.uk.