Meat Max, Nathan Janes

Why paint dogs?

It wasn't long after I adopted my dogs, Button & Zipper, that canines became my creative subject of choice. It was my own dogs that convinced me my calling lay in painting four legged friends that said ARF. My dogs were the original models for my Pop ARF paintings and serve as a constant source of inspiration. The unique character of my dogs lend well to painting ideas and concepts.

Are your subjects always 'real' dogs?

Some of my subjects are not people's pets at all but merely characters I create and then put to canvas. I often notice certain distinct quirks about dogs I meet and later blend them into a Pop ARF pooch. I love to portray dogs in uncommon ways while sending messages that sometimes go deeper than what is expected from dog art. Among my works with such a message is 'Rosie', a painting that communicates tolerance, respect and care for both the human race and animals as well. One of my missions is to give new light to dog art and make it just as main-stream as art of flowers, landscapes, people, and wildlife.

How many pet portraits do you create in a year?

Twelve or more, depending on the size and complexity. It can take from 3 weeks to over a month and a half to complete. My paintings consist of very opaque flat colors with no wash to them and extremely controlled line work. For every color I use in my painting, I must premix it in containers with enough to last me for the entire painting. When I finish a painting I will have mixed anywhere from eighty to over one hundred paint colors.