WAITING PATIENTLY
Big things come in little packages, and the same can be said about Noel McKenna’s art. Using a tile as a canvas, these paintings barely reach 15cm high. Each piece reflects the hazy humdrum of a dog’s life, uncluttered and unfettered, with its subject at the centre. Whether humorous and forlorn, these ceramics tread the fine line of whimsy.
McKenna started off studying architecture at university, but soon dropped out for art school instead. After frequenting a paint-it-yourself ceramic shop for ten years, he eventually purchased his own kiln and now he paints in his studio instead of amongst gossiping ladies who lunch. His previous collections include copies of lost dog posters, detailed down to the correct phone number for retrieval. Dogs tied up, waiting for their owners return, are also a recurring theme. His most recent exhibition, Tied Up Dogs Rose Bay, featured a few oils on plywood, lending a warmth and depth of colour to the expectant dogs.
McKenna sees the beautiful in the mundane, making the onlooker pause for a moment at an unremarkable scene made remarkable. An old and fat Jack Russell, a gangly greyhound, a poodle in a jumper. Although affection-inducing, these pictures highlight the quiet sadness and dependency of dogs. McKenna lived in Sydney, along with Melman, a greyhound, and Rosie, a Yorkshire terrier cross.
DOG-FRIENDLY: TAKE THE LEAD
We are thrilled to introduce Dog-Friendly, a collection of city guides for dog-loving people, created together with our long-time contributor, photographer Winnie Au, and fellow enthusiasts, indie publisher Hoxton Mini Press. Available for purchase here.
August 25, 2021
PACK OF DOGS
Have you ever imagined Amy Winehouse or Nick Cave as a Chihuahua, Neil Young as a Vizsla, or PJ Harvey as an Afghan hound? That’s exactly what San Francisco-based artist Michael Gillette has done through his unique illustration project, blending beloved, iconic music legends, both past and present, with their dog counterparts. Pack of Dogs, our first foray into book publishing, is a celebration of pup and pop culture for music and dog lovers alike.
August 25, 2020
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Spanish photographer Sara Monsalve strives to ‘capture your memories’—to immortalise the beauty, innocence and wisdom of our pets.
November 8, 2023
BETWEEN THE LINES
French artist Jochen Gerner distils the magic and energy of dogs using disarmingly simple techniques, relying on felt pens and school notebooks.
November 3, 2023
JUMP FOR JOY
Photographer Rebecca Rinaldi knows that to capture a dog’s true essence, play is the key ingredient.
July 13, 2023
PLAY DATE
An antidote to mass-produced dog accessories, MiaCara’s range of carefully crafted toys are designed to surprise, endure and delight.
July 12, 2023
REALLY GOOD DOGS
Photographer Randal Ford’s fierce clarity draws dogs’ personality to the fore to reveal each animal’s “true essence”.
June 8, 2023
JET SET PET
Moving your buddy from A to be B becomes an exercise in style, comfort and convenience with Cloud7’s Travel Collection.
June 2, 2023
NATURAL INSTINCT
In his series ‘Kinetic’, San Diego-based photographer James Lee celebrates dogs at full speed.
May 7, 2023
POODLE ELITE
Jouk Oosterhof photographs Amsterdam’s beloved family members (with a dash of lifestyle accessory).
May 3, 2023
TEAM EFFORT
What started as a fundraising effort to save photographer Kristoffer Paulsen’s beloved dog Josie, morphed into Melbourne’s most in-demand pet portraits.
March 31, 2023
KINGDOM OF HOUNDS
For decades, legendary Irish documentary photographer Tony O’Shea has captured the country’s annual drag hunt, and a country’s rich history along with it.
March 24, 2023
