Tuesday, August 05, 2008

The "Dogs Rule" Fat Book - An amazing art project...

Here is a big bone that several members of the "Sisterhood of the Pet Portrait Artists" have sunk our teeth into! (...And - great news everyone -- YOU can, too!)

These are photos of my own individual copy of the dogs Rule Fat Book. Each book is different and unique.
Left:
Jill Beninato's beautiful story and artwork. (This was the flip-side of her art page. The other side contained another beautifiul art piece.)
Right: Anne Leuck Feldhaus' photo. (Each artists' page section begins with a photo and a unique message or quote.)


Very recently, eleven pet portrait artists / photographers and myself were invited to partake in an art project that has left me feeling completely honored and totally humbled at the same time.

The project: The "Dogs Rule" Fat Book, a beautiful altered-book style original art book containing the artwork of 13 extremely talented (and generous!! oh, and gorgeous!! We are all gorgeous, too!!;) ;) ;) ) pet portrait artists/photogs. The idea for the book (as well as the organization, execution, and everything in-between) was the brainchild of Jill Beninato of Sit Stay Smile photography.

Jill had the brilliant idea to create handmade art books featuring the art of 13 pet portrait artists. Under the theme of "Dogs Rule", each artist would contribute 14 pages - one page for each book assembled, for a total of 14 individual, unique art books.

Thirteen of the pages from each artist would be earmarked for books to be assembled (by Jill) given to each of the project members as a keepsake work of art. But the last page (created by each artist to be somehow unique and spacial from the other 13 pages we each created) would be used for the assembly of a VERY SPECIAL copy of the book to be auctioned off with proceeds to benefit artist Bernie Berlin's incredible dog sanctuary A Place To Bark. The auction of this extremely special and unique book work of art will take place on November 15th on EBay. Please, mark your calendars!!!!!

NOW if THAT is not the icing on the proverbial dog bone (and YES, HOWcan it get better than THIS???) Bark Magazine (Yes, folks -- THE one, THE only, the magazine that has rightly earned praise as "The New Yorker" for dog lovers) will be granting some ink to the fantastic "Dogs Rule Fat Book" project in the September 2008 issue!! Hurray!!! This will NO DOUBT give the "Dogs Rule Fat Book 2008 " auction for A Place To Bark the PR is so richly deserves!


Anne Leuck Feldhaus' artwork (an original Anne piece!!! Gorgeous!!)

This project is THE COOLEST group art project I have ever taken part in, hands down!! Jill has propelled creativity, inspired us, and has been a major propeller for positivity and goodwill! Jill, I salute you, my pet portrait sister!!! And I know 2008 auction has not even begun yet, but I'm 1000% game for 2009, if you decide to bark up the tree once more and invite me back into the 'dog house'! :) Plus I am willing to help bake the biscuits, lick stamps, whatever! ;)

Please check Sit Stay Smile, A Place To Bark, my blog, and the blogs of the other participating Dogs Rule Fat Book pet artists for more information as the time draws nearer!!

Manon Doyle of Hoochie Poochie Studios
Jill Beninato of Sit Stay Smile Photography
Jamie Pflughoeft of Cowbelly Photography
Leigh Jackson of Noisy Dog Studio
Moira McLaughlin of Dream Dogs Art
Melissa Langer of Pug Notes
Linda O'Neill of Abby Creek Studios
Rebecca Lansdowne of Art Paw
Nicole Mlakar-Livingston of Nicole Mlakar Photography
Wendy from 2 Dog Studio
Bernie Berlin from A Place To Bark
Anne Leuck Feldhaus of Anne Leuck Feldhaus Studio Ltd.

Nicole Mlakar-Livingston's whimsical, charming and funny collage!

See some really gorgeous photography of the Fat Book here, courtesy of Jill Beninato's blog
.

Every piece in the book is unique and beautiful! Please visit the artists' above and check their blogs, where they will likely post artwork from their own individual copies of the Dogs Rule Fat Books (remember, no two books are alike!)

Remember the date and place: Ebay on November 15th!!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooooo, congrats Kathy!!
I can't wait to see yours when it's ready!

Manon said...

Hi Kathy,
Your page was very cool! I loved it! It was a honor to participate with all these very talented women! By the way... your blog and website are awesome!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the shout out!

artpaw said...

Loved your page my dear! It was such a treat to be involved in this fun project with so many talented gals.

Archie and Melissa said...

hi kathy!
i loved your page! what special book we all created.
i cannot believe I have one!
xo
melissa

Moira said...

Great post about an awesome project! I was honored to be a part of it. All the pages were wonderful.

Bearded Lady said...

Kathy, What a great idea. Are you going to do the much wanted sequel of "cat's rule"? I love the dogs!

Anonymous said...

Kathy, thanks for the great post and your fabulous page. This is such a treasure, an inspiration from the cover right down to "the end".

Jill Beninato said...

Thanks Kathy for the beautiful summary of the book...I loved your page!