Artists put on the dog at Sisters reception

Big, brightly painted dog paintings by Sandy Melchiori and Cathy Warner are covering the walls at the Sisters Movie House (SMH) through February. An artists' reception and open house for the "Dog Arft Show" will be on Sunday, February 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Sisters Movie House. The public is invited to come and talk to the artists about their work.

Melchiori and Warner, who are both Sisters business owners (Response to Nature and Central Bark, respectively), have been creating their dog interpretations for this lively show at SMH. Both artists work independently and collaboratively, giving each other feedback on their work. They are both passionate about painting, especially the dogs of Sisters and other places they have visited.

"I paint with expressive color; all of my paintings have lots of life in the landscape," says Melchiori. "I paint things from my imagination and subjects that make me laugh. Currently, I am painting Traveling Dogs from Sayulita, Mexico to Lucca, Italy to Paris, France and back to my yard in Sisters. This series began after I did a pastel illustration of my dog Jagger, who was intently anticipating to play ball. Then Christmas of 2008, while on vacation in Sayulita, Mexico, I painted the tough but kind homeless dogs: Sayulita Guard Dog, Just Like my Owner, and Beach Twins.

"Then Yelapa Charlie, an endearing Basset Hound, who showed my husband and I the way to our hotel while on vacation one late night, became my breaking point. I made the commitment to continue the dog series."

Warner makes her living with dogs, and only recently turned her hand to artistic expression.

"I am eternally grateful to have been inspired by my friend Sandy Melchiori and my family members, Hogan (daughter age 12) and Sam, to start creating," she says. "Hogan and Sam are tremendously talented in the arts and got me on board to try new things last year.

"With my love and passion for dogs, it seemed like an easy fit to paint my favorite subjects. I am fortunate to have so many wonderful furry faces to draw inspiration from while I am at work. I have occasionally tried to branch out and paint other subjects - but I always come back to dogs!"