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When someone tells you “you shouldn’t” do something, do you say “oh, ok’? OR, do you ponder the statement and take it as a challenge and do what you want? Personally, I ponder. I was having a conversation with an established artist about social media and what is appropriate for an artist to post. He insists that all posts should only be about the art and not anything else, like posting pictures of your dog.

Being an artist can be a very solitary activity. If it is your career, and you paint every day, it’s nice to have a companion. If you are a woman, and you like to paint plein-air, it’s easy to feel vulnerable painting by yourself whether it is in the city or in the country. If you are like me, and can get so focused on your work that you tune out things around you, you may not hear someone approaching, therefore putting yourself in a vulnerable situation.

My dog Ringo is my painting companion and I am officially titling him as my mascot. He can’t hear anyone approaching, not just because he is so focused on his bone, but because he is deaf. While he looks adorable, he can also look imposing enough to keep me feeling secure on isolated country roads or on the corner in the city while painting plein-air. He is loyal and would protect me.

I found Ringo in the country when I was painting plein-air. Actually, he found me. He was about seven months old, had a broken leg, couldn’t eat with a belly full of worms, malnourished and filthy. He had no collar, no chip and hadn’t been neutered. I went in to the local grocery store to get him food and inquire about him. They had just called the pound on him. The pound arrived five minutes later. I decided on the spot he was mine. I knew he was smart. I knew he was sweet. I also knew he was wild and out of control. I did not know he was deaf until five months later. Once I learned that, I was able to train him properly.

Ringo is the best painting buddy. He is my #1 Mascot!

Here we are at the Sainte Genevieve Plein-Air event 2016!