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WOOF Moniker: Jack
Canine Informant: Gail Rodney
What do we learn from our dogs? Patience. Simplicity. Jack has provided me the discipline of being direct; just “be”.
Artist Gail Rodney’s drawings and paintings celebrate her appreciation and observation of nature. She refers to the process of making art as mediation.
Gail Rodney: I work best when I do not think about the outcome but concentrate on seeing and capturing.
WOOF Patrol: Has Jack provided you with inspiration or with other ways of looking at things? If so, can you share that with us?
G.R.: When Jack came into our family he brought me to Central Park every morning. During our walks I found many scenes I had to paint. Many of the photographs taken during our walks together became sold canvases.
SIX DEGREES OF CANINE SEPARATION: Jo Umans, Executive Director, Behind the Book (introduced WOOF Patrol to Gail Rodney and Cathleen Schine. Umans, profiled last year, is the Kevin Bacon of dog owners. Her organization Behind the Book is a literary arts nonprofit that promotes literacy and a reading culture among low-income students in New York City public schools.
Whenever possible Umans creatively combines dogs alongside authors with unique and pet-friendly events. At the Fall 2007 Behind the Book benefit Schine read from The New Yorkers and Rodney contributed a private portrait session to the lucky winner. WOOF Patrol pulled the winning ticket!!!
Gail Rodney Oil Painting:
Pomo & Yvonne in Madison
Square Park - NYC
Best dog run advice given or provided: The most interesting tidbit I have heard is that acupuncture for dogs can relieve chronic pain.
Jack’s Hobby: His main talent is to look especially cute. Jack is 12 years old and he still manages to get appreciative looks and comments from passersby.
Neighborhood Status: Jack is the Mayor of our block!!! Everyone knows him!
Melissa Breese, Manager of Old Sculpin Gallery & Studio School chatted with WOOF Patrol and shared her thoughts on both Gail and Jack.
M.B. — on Gail: Gail has a wonderful sense of color. She works primarily in oils and pastels and captures a light-hearted tone to her compositions placed in a realistic setting. She sells very well in our gallery.
M.B. — on Jack: Jack has a colorful personality. He works primarily on the ‘BARK’ training technique which goes like this: People enter a room that he and Gail are both in. He barks, barks and barks. At one point he’ll take a moment to stop and pass Gail a particular glance expressing a well thought out: “Mom - if you want me to stop barking you know what to do.” (That means a treat.) Gail is very well trained.
Photo: Gail in training session
with her teacher Jack
Gail Rodney’s Artwork:
Q: Do you have a favorite place that you’re drawn to in regards to your painting?
A: I am drawn to water scenes and I find plenty of subject matter on Chappaquiddick and Martha’s Vineyard.
Likely Quote from Jack: Gail feeds me, and she is always good for some treat. Everyone in our pack gives good backrubs. I love it when we are all together.
W.P.: What made you decide to get a beagle?
Gail: Jack is my first dog ever. We wanted a breed that was not too small or delicate. And, it had to be a dog that we could trust and be reliable with the small children in our building. Jack has proven to be more than sweet.
Jack’s Arfstrology Sign: August 1, 1996
America’s Dog - "Ch K-Run's Park Me In First" a.k.a. "Uno" is the first beagle to win Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club. WOOF Patrol met Jack for the first time the day before Uno's victory. Kismet???