It's all about the dogs for new Sisters artist

Cathy Warner is best known in town for the business, Central Bark, she and her partner Sam run in Sisters. It's a common sight to see her and Sam doing a 14-dog walk with their clients.

Now she has another canine-related passion: painting.

On August 6, Dog Days of Sisters, sponsored by Sisters Art Works and the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, will kick off an art show at Sisters Art Works, 204 W. Adams Ave. For Warner the art show is a premier of her new labor of love.

"I'm not really an artist," she said. "I just really love painting dogs."

Under the tutelage of art teacher and fellow dog-lover Sandy Melchiori, Warner's skills as an artist have grown. Even Warner knows that it has gotten to the point that everyone else is calling her an artist, and she knows eventually she's going to have to admit that she really does deserve the title.

It all began when Melchiori offered an art class at her home and Cathy decided to give it a try. Since then Cathy has taken three of Sandy's classes and her art has blossomed.

"I was just hooked," she smiled. "Sandy's a terrific teacher."

An avid outdoorswoman, Warner loves enjoying all the sun Central Oregon offers. Her art gives her an alternative activity when it's too cold or too wet to be outside.

"I use it as a crummy-day activity," she said. "Now I love it when it's a bad-weather day."

Sometimes, Warner collaborates with her partner Sam. "He'll sketch an image, and then I paint it and really go to town. It's so refreshing!"

Warner now paints her customers' dogs.

Paintings start with photographs.

"Usually, I'll take a photograph and then live with it for a while, and then I start to notice things about the dog," she said. "I see new colors and so much more... I really see things more deeply."

Melchiori and Warner belong to a rescue group called "All for Dogs." Documenting and marketing the dogs for adoptions is what started all the picture-taking. The paintings Warner has in The Dog Show are all dogs that were rescues and have now found new homes.

"Sam and I volunteer with the rescue group," she said. "We've had 140 foster dogs in almost two years. You invite them into your life, and with our business it's the perfect environment to help the dogs learn skills to be a great pet."

When local humane society staff have dogs that need foster families, they know to call Cathy and Sam. Some of the dogs are puppies; others are special-needs dogs; both types require more supervision, which their business, Central Bark, can provide for them.

Central Bark is going on its fourth year in Sisters, and it has expanded. Recently, Sam and Cathy purchased the adjoining grooming business, Groomingdales.

"My favorite dog is the one who learned how to play well with others," Warner said. "It's so good to see dogs break out of their old behaviors and be happy. I like to see their demeanor change; you can spot it right away. There's a freedom in being balanced. All of our dogs are different, but they're all at peace, that's what makes a happy dog. It gives them confidence."

That same theme of happy, confident dogs comes through in Warner's art. All the dogs she paints have a playful serenity that makes any animal-lover smile. Dog owners know when their dogs are content; it's in the eyes and in their demeanor. Warner has captured that look in her paintings, and more importantly in the dogs that come to stay with her.

To see Warner's paintings and many others, the public is invited to come to an artists' reception at Sisters Art Works on August 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the main gallery. The show will remain at Sisters Art Works from August 1 through September 23.

A portion of the sales from The Dog Show will go to Furry Friends, a food bank for pet supplies, and spay and neuters for pets belonging to Sisters residents in need. For information on The Dog Show, contact Sisters Art Works at 541-420-9695 or visit http://www.sistersartworks.com.