Dogs I 2007

Carmen Delaco paints this family of dogs with what looks like oil, in what feels like one big go. The paint application is thick and juicy, like frosting on a cake. The two main dogs are rendered in contrasting color schemes. The mama dog is all cool blues and teals, which gives her a solid, almost statue-like appearance. While the other dog, maybe the papa, is rendered in warm reds and browns. I love how Delaco isn't afraid to let the colors mix and mingle, creating a sense of depth and movement. I am drawn to the red marks around the mouth of the blue dog, and how this contrasts with the coolness of the blues. The expressive brushwork reminds me of Soutine, but with a contemporary twist. It's like she's channeling the energy of the dogs through the paint itself. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art is not just about what we see, but how we feel.