Its startling to see, but the artist is unfazed.
She walks around on all this stuffshe lives with it, says Martinez.
I work in a way that is very unprecious.
Photo: Mary Kang
Anybody could just walk all over the material, and thats fine.
And what they supply artists seems to equal or surpass the care or attention they demand.
Or as Brooklyn artistDominique Fungputs it of her dog: He breaks me out of my thought patterns.
Photo: Mary Kang
If I didnt have a dog, I would just spiral.
In fact, many say dogs bring them back to their humanity.
Los Angeles artistrafa esparzaadds: As artists, we can easily get absorbed into the studio.
Photo: Courtesy the artist
A dog that shows you unconditional love and needs that in return has been a humbling, grounding experience.
Many artists credit their dogs for instituting a healthier work-life balance.
After hour four or so, she starts whining, says Chicago artistYvette Mayorgaof her dog.
Photo: Courtesy the artist
Its actually helpful because I can be such a workaholic and not listen to my body.
She helps set the boundaries.
New Haven, Connecticut-based painterDominic Chambersagrees.
Photo: Courtesy the artist
Dogs can even become part of the work, in ways both direct and oblique.
It just made sense that the dog guarding these objects would be Chico.
Chamberss Shiba Inu sometimes lies on his canvases as theyre being stretched.
Photo: Courtesy the artist
If its a surface on the floor, in her mind its now a bed.
Itll just be a painting for me, to memorialize her.
Here, seven artists reflect on the art of living with dogs and art.
Photo: Courtesy the artist
He had been licking the walnut oil paint.
He probably ate half a tube.
I googled, Will dogs die after eating paint?
Photo: Peter Aaron, courtesy the artist and Olana State Historic Site, NY
And, yes, his poop was white.
Shes a Pisces, Mayorga notes.
Shes very caring, loves to cuddle, but she holds receipts and gives good side-eye.
Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Seoul, and London. Photo: Daniel Kukla
In the studio, Roco observes Mayorgas mark making.
Shell follow the brush or piping bag.
Shes curious about it.
Photo: Courtesy the artist
Twice shes scooted back into a work and Ive had to remake that part.
And then theres those adorable face folds, which demand upkeep.
Shes basically between a high-maintenance baby and a dog.
Photo: Courtesy the artist
I was looking for funky old broken this and that.
Then I was like, Ill search puppy.
Its hard to focus because I love being with her.
And my process is very physical, and you have to have energyshes just made me a calmer person.
A friends dogs loved sprawling out on the dirt-paved studio floorand got maybe a bit too comfortable.
Today he finds Chico a perfect studio companion, perceptive and adaptable.
And he totally got it.
He would still greet everyone but then retreat to his bed.
You know all the free art totes you get?
says artist Jean Shin.
Hes small enough I can put him in those.
Hes just delighted when he sees one of my bags open uphes ready to jump in.
It calms him, being right next to me, under my arm, and he loves being social.
He was like, Thats too much.
So he checks in and steps around to see whats going on.
But he loves the quietness of my apartment.
Hes literally in my bed, waiting for me all day.
Dominic Chambers
Painter Dominic Chambers quickly learned about the Shiba Inus noted intelligenceand mischievousness.
I came back, and all my erasers were chewed upnone of my pencils but specifically the erasers.
And while Mars doesnt interfere with his work at the studio, she makes her presence felt.
you’re able to sense that shes judging you, out of immense boredom.
Shell sometimes let out one of those passive-aggressive sighsOh my God!
Weve been here for hours on end.
I can only imagine watching a person watch paint dry for hours.
For months she lived on the back porch under a chair, until Martinezs parents rescued her.
My parents forced it on me, and its the best thing thats ever happened to me.
I was like, Training a puppy is not what I need right now.
But it was absolutely seamless.
She doesnt bother me when Im working, shes never ripped something off my paintings.
She, mysteriously, magically, is just a good girl.
We got her to safety.
Im very happy to provide these little moments of comfort for her.
