Dogs I 2007

Carmen Delaco made this painting, "Dogs I," in oil with forceful brushstrokes. You can almost see her wrestling with the paint, pushing and pulling it across the surface to conjure these figures. I imagine Delaco was thinking about something primal, maybe even a little scary, as she made this work. The dogs are rendered in such an expressive way, especially the snarling canine to the left. You can feel the energy, right? The intensity of the brushstrokes seems to mirror the raw emotion of the scene. And look at the colours! That wild combination of reds, browns, and blues creates a mood that’s both unsettling and strangely beautiful. It reminds me of how artists throughout history have used animals to explore our own human nature, our fears, and desires. It's all connected, isn't it?