Furocious
There’s nothing like cold weather to turn one’s thoughts toward the Philadelphia Flower Show which takes place every March - just in time pull you out of the winter doldrums. Flowers, frothing over at exhibit after exhibit, formed into life-size dioramas or into petite forms of shoes, purses or in vases—it certainly awakens the senses and the spirit. Spectacular though the flowers may be, and they are, I found a hidden treasure among the artisans at the show a few years ago that everyone can enjoy without ever having to travel to the show.
The irrepressibly adorable Topiary Art by upstate New York-based artist Michelle Masters (http://michellemasters.com/ ) captured my penchant for whimsy immediately, but it was also her creative application of dog portraits within the topiary art theme that made me stop at her booth. Of course, I picked up a linen towel with her portrait of a Westie in a wing chair topiary and ordered another for my mother, the original Westie fan in the family.
Her booth was buzzing with Westie and other dog breed-fans and, so, when she could take a breath, I asked if she had any Scottish terrier images. She replied “no” and, at the time, was not sure if she would get to a Scottie in her repertoire. [Sad face]. But FUROCIOUS is nothing if not doggedly determined and has stayed in touch with the artist over the last three or four years to track her progress on adding a Scottie to her collection. More on that later.
A curious FUROCIOUS wanted to know: why topiaries? A graduate in studio art and former graphic artist, Masters says she has always been attracted to their “structure, whimsy and the living sculptural quality.”
“In the beginning I decided not to do designs that I had ever seen before in actual topiary…I wanted to do clever illustrations that surprised the viewer and appealed to their sense of humor.”
As someone who has always been around horses, dogs and cats it is clear of their influence in Michelle’s illustrations. Her first foray into ‘dog art’ was with a retriever in a pot – it was a customer favorite, but the artist wanted to use “more color and combine whimsical topiary furniture with actual dog portraiture.”
Her first was a Golden Retriever lying on a topiary couch cut into a hedge titled Shear Bliss. “It gave me the opportunity to play with portraiture in a garden setting and just have fun with it. I try to research the breed and introduce elements specific to that particular breed’s character or history,” she says. Her adopted Gracie, and Black Lab Oliver have also served as models for Michelle’s work.
FUROCIOUS already knows that dog-people are special, but Michelle admits to “intimate, tearful, joyful discussions with complete strangers about their favorite dog or a heart-breaking loss of a special friend. The companionship of a faithful dog is different than children, or even grandchildren, and I am honored by the stories that people have shared with me. I try to bring honor to each portrait that I make.”
So, when I contacted Michelle a year ago, to find out if she’d made any progress on her Scottish Terrier portrait, she mentioned that she might be working on one and if I had any photos to share as inspiration, to email her.
Much to my surprise, Michelle immortalized my Doughall “Dugan” MacLeod, using his likeness (a photo of him sitting on a sofa) and a second one of him lying down with a soccer ball stuffed toy, in her illustration Scottie Garden Portrait! We are all just bursting with pride and are delighted to have helped, in any small way, to bring a Scottie to Michelle’s topiary garden to play with the other dogs!
Of course, the masterful Michelle is not limited to dogs, or animals, but her delightful topiary gardens are full of everything from hats and music notes and fleur de lis to seasonal favorites for Valentine’s Day, Easter and Halloween – as well as Christmas! Best wishes for a happy holiday season from FUROCIOUS! I hope your days will be filled with comfort, peace and the warmth of a dog (or two) at your feet…and, remember, if you’re looking for a companion dog, please consider a homeless pet from your local area shelter. High-paw!
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