By Emily Williams
When artist Linda Ellen Price prepares her annual auction submission for Hand in Paw’s Picasso Pets event, being held Aug. 13, she has to tweak her process a little bit.
Instead of creating her piece alone, Price has created an original piece with the help of a dog.
Luckily, Price’s creative work is heavily influenced by nature and her commissioned work includes pet portraiture.
Her affinity for animals and the natural world was fostered by a childhood battle with extreme myopia. According to Price, after receiving her first pair of eyeglasses in her early teens, one of the first clear images that captured her was the shape of leaves and rocks in nature.
“I enjoy both creating paintings depicting dogs in action that are purely imaginative as well as pet portraits done on commission,” she said. “Dogs are very special creatures that bring much joy to the world.”
When she works in her studio, she is often accompanied by her two dogs, but her standard poodle, Nick, and miniature poodle Francois rarely join in. For the annual event’s live auction in the past six years, however, she has been entering canine-collaborative works of art, and she says the final product always is a surprise.
“I usually have a spontaneous idea when painting for Picasso Pets. I do not plan ahead,” she said. “The color and strokes created by the dog are always inspirational for the final composition.”
She begins her work as usual, faced with a blank canvas, and what happens next is up to a golden Labrador named Scout. A Mountain Brook native, Scout resides with his owner, Joe Medori of Iberiabank.
“I only spend a brief amount of time with Scout, but enough to see his beautiful demeanor,” Price said.
Once Scout has created a background design using his tail and paws as paintbrushes, Price then begins her work. This year’s piece features a portrait of Scout jaunting across a lawn dotted with his colorful brushstrokes.
The artwork will be auctioned off at the event along with other works created by local artists collaborating with pets of prominent members of the Birmingham community. Animal artists include any artistically inclined pet, including goats, parrots and horses.
To make up for Scout’s lack of opposable thumbs, Medori will accompany his canine to the stage during the live auction portion of the event to present Scout and Price’s painting. Other items up for auction include trips, dining packages, jewelry and more.
The funds raised at Picasso Pets will benefit the organization’s mission to improve the health and well-being of humans through the aid of trained therapy dogs.
Price, a registered nurse, hasn’t seen a therapy dog in action firsthand, but she is quick to note the emotional support a pet provides.
“I have seen how much (my) dog can help relieve stress and grief in my own life,” Price said. “Whoever thought up the idea of using dogs for therapy created a bundle of happiness for millions of people in need.”
The 16th annual fundraiser will be held Aug. 13 at the Harbert Center and begins at 6 p.m. Guests will be joined by some of Hand in Paw’s star therapy animals. The evening will begin with craft beers, wine, specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served alongside a silent auction. A seated dinner of Southern cuisine and the live auction will follow. Tickets are $175.
For more information, visit picassopets.com.
