Canine Artistry and A New Puppy Love Birthday Club Member

Hi 'Reeses' Fans!!

I have a couple of things to write about today.

First, I want you to see this great action shot of my Newest Puppy Love Birthday Club Member Mr Wookie Snuggles. Mr Wookie loves to get out and run, here you can see him having fun at Wekiva Springs State Park. Such fun!!!

And also, another puppy is getting famous as an artist. Check out the story below!!

Sniffs & Tail Wags

Tyreese.

People may argue over “What is art?” but no one can deny that this sweet-faced, four-legged prodigy is a smash hit with her creations. The Art Newspaper named her “the most successful living animal painter in the world.”

Tillamook Cheddar, named for her favorite type of cheese, is an adorable little Jack Russell Terrier who became a self-taught artist at the tender age of six months. Her owner, and now assistant, Bowman Hastie, was writing on a legal pad one day, when Tillie jumped up and started scratching on the paper. Surprised and curious, Hastie helped her along by placing a piece of carbon paper under the top sheet. Tillamook Cheddar scratched at it again, thus creating her first drawing.

Now, before you think that this is some kind of doggie trick, like fetch, consider this. Tillie takes her work very seriously. She loves to draw. When Hastie asks her “Do you want to work?” Tillie goes wild with anticipation waiting for him to get the drawing materials ready. Without opposable thumbs, Tillie still needs Hastie to place her pigment-coated vellum on lithograph paper backed by a matte board and tapes the edges securely. Once the materials are prepared, Tillie snatches it out of his hands and runs off to attack her work.

Tillie’s creations are made by licking, chewing and scratching. Scratching is often punctuated by a bite. The work session is passionate and uninhibited.

“She works with shocking intensity,” her owner/assistant marvels, “sometimes to the point of destroying her creations.”

Some may question whether what Tillie does is art. Bowman Hastie can answer that without hesitation. “Of course it is art,” he says. “It’s hanging on walls in galleries. It’s hanging in people’s homes. It’s purchased as art. People enjoy it.”

Tillamook Cheddar paintings sell for anything from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and they are going up in value. She has sold over 100 pieces in her eight-year career.

Most artists Tillie meets are very supportive of her work. She has even collaborated with a few human artists, such as Tom Sachs from New York. And Wim Delvoye helped find her a gallery in Belgium. Hastie says Tillie enjoys her art shows and seems to understand the exhibitions are about her. She appreciates the attention, though she prefers staying close to the cheese table to meeting her public.

“She’s a bit snooty sometimes,” Hastie says of his famous dog. “She’s somewhat aloof around people she doesn’t know. She has a circle of friends she cares about. Other than that, she’s pretty much a regular dog. Goes to the park, chases squirrels, chews on sticks.”

Tillie is sometimes recognized when out in public, but doesn’t sign autographs.

Tillie had six puppies in July 2005, but none of them have shown any artistic interest. One of her sons, Doc Chinook Strongheart Cheddar, lives with her and is quite sweet, but hasn’t found a job yet. Hastie jokes, “We may get him into public relations or something.”

Tillamook Cheddar’s story has appeared in numerous publications, including National Geographic.com, New York Post, Parade and of course, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! She has also appeared on Conan O’Brien. Tillamook Cheddar has shown her work in 17 solo exhibits, and has been featured in 14 group exhibits shared with human artists. She also has her own online gallery, Tillamook Cheddar.com and a book, Portrait of a Dog as a Young Artist. Signed copies are available.