Man's Best Friend

Man’s Best Friend 2004

Acrylic on Canvas

60” x 68”

As a kid, while exploring the neighborhood with friends, the temptation to tease dogs in cars and behind fences was irresistible. To witness at very close range such absolute animal ferocity while remaining out of danger imparted a deep satisfaction. The same rush of adrenaline, no doubt explains the persistence of dog fighting and boxing as spectator sports.

I think dogs ability to go to this place, in addition to their softer attributes is one of the things that endears them to us.

As a self portrait I was inspired to do it as a way of expressing some of my frustrations with life with humor and in a way words might be unable to do. It ts also a spoof on the typical portrait with a dog showing a very calm, happy situation.

I thought it would be funny and interesting to juxtapose a man and a dog expressing the same emotions and to show our similarities in facial structure. Perhaps only primates are more similar to us than dogs in their ability to emote through facial expression.

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