Sunday, October 5, 2008

Show & Tell Sunday

So here's another way to get rid of "Bloggers Block"......Show and Tell Sunday. What a great prompt! Think I'll try it!! Today's offering is the art of
Thierry Poncelet.
I came across this print about 10 years ago and fell in love with it. Never had I seen anything like it before. And while he's not a Scottish Terrier (we'll save that subject for another Sunday) this gentleman's handsome, bearded face and elegant pose just captured my heart. Big Daddy even liked him! We bought a wooden easel to display this dapper chap in our home and lovingly named him "Dogman".
One day, I stumbled on some photos in a catalog of other prints that were done in the same theme.....classic paintings with canine heads instead of human heads. The artist responsible for these canine aristocrats is Thierry Poncelet.
Thierry Poncelet was born in Brussels in 1946. He studied Fine Arts at the St. Luc Academy and then joined Max Masot's workshop to learn the art of painting in the traditional way and restoration. However, his love of painting soon outgrew his interest in restoration, and he decided to become a full time oil painter, specializing in whimsical dog portraits. Mr. Poncelet calls his portraits "aristochiens".This morning, I decided to look around the internet to see if there was anything new about Thierry Poncelet since I last researched him. What is this?! There's a book with a collection of his art work and a humorous, biographical sketch of each of the portrait "sitters" is written by Bruce McCall. On the back of the book cover it says, "The fetching result is a vision of a society gone to the dogs.". Santa, I would like this book! (Thank you Alisa, for the tutorial on using links in my posts. I think it worked!)
Mr. Poncelet's art suits me to a "T". And thank you to my friends and Big Daddy for indulging me and contributing to two of my passions.......dogs and laughing. This was a LONG show and tell......thanks for staying with me to the end.
HAPPY SUNDAY!
~Allie

9 comments:

Alisa Noble said...

Great show and tell! The paintings are so fun. I can see why you love them!
I was worried my tutorial didn't make sense! lol
Email me with how you are doing it and I'll try to figure out where you are going wrong.

Allie said...

Alisa~
I got it figured out.....it was my error. Thank you again for the tutorial. It makes COMPLETE sense if you read with comprehension...which I didn't. Wouldn't my students be proud of me :) ? Oh well, I at least practiced the fine art of self correction.....I've been in school too long! Thank goodness for Fair Day on Monday!
~Allie

Sherry said...

I love learning new things and about new people...this guy sounds intriguing and his art is certainly unique. They say owners look like their dogs and vice versa..he's just taken it to a new and humorous level!!

Anonymous said...

How interesting & funny. Funny the things we ponder isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Alisa... isn't she great! I just love her. :)

I've seen photos/paintings similar to this. And I have to admit, I think they are cute. But I have never been able to figure out just where I would hang them. So for now, I just admire from afar. xoxo, Joanna

Leslie said...

These are great pictures, Allie. Dogs and laughing are right up there on my list too! Of course the two just go together.

Anonymous said...

Dear Allie,
Thank you for taking the time to support me during our move. It has meant so much!!

Thierry Poncelets work is great!! Thank you for sharing this.

Hope all is well at school for you and also for the CC Princess.

See you Under the Texas Sun!

xox
Constance

Fete et Fleur said...

These are great! I'm glad you decided to break through the bloggers block.

Nancy

Merisi said...

Can't wait to hear that you and Constance have actually met!

How is fall coming along in your parts?

I am leaving for Italy tomorrow. ;-)