Big Oscar 

Julie Bell's 'Big Oscar', a painting with no specified creation date, immediately strikes one with its monumental scale and the intimacy of its subject. The dog's face fills the square canvas, rendered with an attention to detail that invites a close, almost tactile, examination. Bell masterfully manipulates light and shadow across Oscar's fur, creating a sense of volume and texture that is almost palpable. The brushstrokes, though visible, blend seamlessly to form the contours of the dog’s face, emphasizing its gentle expression and inviting gaze. The use of color is subtle yet effective, with warm yellows and browns contrasting against the cool blues and pinks of the background. The composition centers the dog, thereby elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary. This formal choice reflects a broader artistic trend that challenges traditional hierarchies in art, suggesting that beauty and meaning can be found in the everyday. 'Big Oscar' invites us to reconsider our relationship with animals and the value we place on the seemingly mundane aspects of life, thus opening up endless possibilities for interpretation.