It’s My Nose…An Interview With the Artist

Gizmo here…Momz is still working on the new site, but I have to share something very exciting and I can’t wait till she’s done. Here it is…My Nose!

Isn’t that wonderful? And it really does look just like me…Momz sez she’d know it anywhere.

So how did my nose get painted? A couple of weeks ago I saw a post on my pal Molly the Wally’s blog that Sheila Wedegis, an artist from Palm Bay, Florida,  had started a project called 30 Dog Noses in 30 Days . Molly said that if we sent a photo to the artist she would paint our nose. Momz sent my photo off right away and yesterday there I was on Sheila’s blog, Dog Nose #27.

Momz was so excited she decided we should learn a bit more about Sheila. First, we visited her online art gallery, Palm Spirit Gallery.  There we were able to read a short biography:

Born in Boston, Sheila Wedegis has spent most of her life in the New England area. Sheila relocated to Palm Bay, FL from Portsmouth, NH with her husband, Roger, three cats and her black Labs, Sophie and Sammy and chocolate Lab, Fergus. Art has been her passion and expression since she was a child. Her formal training was at Butera School of Art in Boston, however her greatest growth has been in the actual “doing” …painting what she knows and loves. Her work reflects the upbringing of her adopted parents, her search for and finally her reunion with her biological mother. Her earliest work consisted of strict, detailed landscapes and still lives, using oil as her medium of choice. However, it wasn’t long before the need to reflect herself, her healing process became evident in her work. Through on going studies and workshops, observations and experimentation, there has been in constant rebirth with herself and her work. While grounding themselves in the realities of her life, Ms. Wedegis’ pieces contain an unmistakable spiritual essence. Often using herself as the central figure, she incorporates symbols and colors to reflect the world as she sees it. “To touch the soul of one other person, to know they are not alone on this journey” is the dedication of her work and the reflection of her life’s journey. Sheila continuing to paint her love of the Caribbean and her three Labrador Retrievers… stay tuned!!!

A visit to the gallery reveals that Sheila has a love for the colors and moods of Florida and the Caribbean, as well as an ongoing passion for dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers. Sheila maintains a separate gallery for her Labrador paintings, Labrador Retriever Art.  She has authored a number of books, most about the Labradors she has known and loved. A collection of her Labrador paintings, “The Small Book of Lab Art”, is available on Amazon. There’s also a Zazzle store where Lab lovers and others can purchase merchandise displaying some of  Sheila’s art.

Digging a little deeper, Momz found that many of Sheila’s Labrador paintings can be purchased from her Labrador Art gallery on the Fine Art America website. Her profile there tells us even more about her love of the breed:

As you see I specialize in painting Labrador Retrievers. Shortly after moving to Florida 11 years ago, my husband Roger gave me a small black Lab puppy. Sophie became my Muse, healing me after the death of my parents 6 days apart. Since painting is my lively hood, my life, I decided to draw and paint her. Soon there were three Labs living with us. I know their moods, their subtle moves, nuances. I know their soul.
Drawing, painting as a child, art school then continuous studying and ‘doing’. I paint everyday and have two blogs that you can see as well as my website.
Since I do have Labradors and they have such incredible spirits, I also donate to many Lab Rescues. http://www.savingalabaday.blogspot.com has my artwork for Lab Rescues.
Other art may be seen at http://www.sheilawedegis.blogspot.com
I am happy and honored to say my Lab art is collected worldwide as well as commissioned.
If there’s anything you’d like to see painted as an original and a print please let me know.

Following the links we finally came to Sheila’s Saving a Lab a Day project.  For over three years Sheila painted Labradors, offering the paintings for auction at the Daily Paintworks site, and donating a percentage of the sale price to a Labrador rescue group. What amazing commitment to her breed! Sheila’s work is appreciated and honored by many. This past Summer Sheila was invited by the Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, Ormond Beach, FL to be one of 12 artists participating in their Dog Days of Summer show .

I had the privilege of interviewing Sheila today, and am very happy to share her thoughts with you.

How long have you been in Florida? What brought you here?

We moved here in 1999.   First the cold weather in the north got to me..lol..but I wanted to do outdoor shows all year round and was able to in this part of the country.

How did you come upon the idea of painting 30 dogs noses in 30 days? Have you enjoyed this project? What will you take away from it?

I saw the information from a friend on FB. Leslie Saeta was offering a 30 day challenge. We would choose a subject and do thirty days. The subject would be different then what we usually do. (sort of) lol…So I chose dog noses. I have absolutely loved painting them, working small and really concentrating on the form , lines, patterns.  Having ADHD, the project has held me to the everyday painting so I will be such an accomplishment.

Tell me about the books…why did you decide to write them? 

My Book, I WAS SICK AND NOW I’m NOT was written right after our chocolate Lab Fergus died last year from a brain tumor. It’s on Blurb.com   I lost my Muse, Sophie this past Sept 11 to malignant melanoma in her mouth. She has now become my Spirit Muse. (I was devastated)

When do you plan to begin traveling full time? Any goal destinations? Will you maintain a Florida connection?

Our hope is this year for travel.  We are still in search of the perfect RV for Roger and I and two large Labradors. First we plan on traveling up the eastern coast spending a few weeks at a time at different  places. In NC there is an RV park solely for adults and their dogs!!  Then we would spend the summer at a park in NH visiting our daughter and family. We would maintain a Florida connection. Many friends and our son and his family are here.

After dog noses, what next? Do you have a new series in the works?

I started a series called Water Dogs. Not just Labs but all dogs and I’m asking people to send me photos. Dogs in water, around water. I will be making a book.

Momz & I urge you all to check out Sheila’s art and consider having her paint a special keepsake of your beloved fur friends.

Time for our 30/30 Challenge Ticker Update. You’ll notice that though today is the 29th, we’re only on Day 27 in the ticker. There’s been a few bumps recently, so we missed two days, but made up a bit with some extra long outdoor fun on Sunday.

We’re joining our friend Lulu today at her weekly Florida Bloggers Blog Hop.