“Pop ARF by Nathan Janes: Dog Art Unleashed”
Article by Melissa Bayer
What makes Nathan Janes’ animal art so appealing? Perhaps it’s his use of vivid color and extremely controlled line work. Or maybe it is the variety of novel ways Janes portrays the family pet: from dogs with disabilities to the cosmopolitan canines of the big city. It could even be the way he seems to capture the true character of each tail waggin’ subject. In reality, we find its a combination of all these appealing traits that have made Janes’ paintings a favorite among dog enthusiasts.
Janes began his art career upon graduation from the Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio. At the beginning stage of his career Nathan concentrated on painting wildlife. Among his main subjects were ducks and other waterfowl, of which he was inspired by their wide array of color and design. The beauty of these creatures kept Nathan busy constantly finding new ways to capture their range of colors in paint. It was in the rendering of wildlife that Nathan developed his mastery of color he know uses to capture the spirit of his canine friends.
In time, Janes made his migration from the world of waterfowl to rendering man’s best friend. His dogs, Button and Zipper, were the original models for his Pop ARF paintings and serve as a constant source of inspiration for Janes. Janes tells us he also inspired by the personalities of dogs who were once housed in shelters. Having rescued his two pets, Janes is particularly touched by dogs that were once neglected or abused but now lead healthy and happy lives with loving families.
In the years since his graduation from art school, Janes’ style has developed into something parallel to his own personality: fun, bright, comical and sometimes loud. Nathan is constantly thinking of how his next painting can be different from the last. He loves to portray dogs in uncommon ways while sending messages that sometimes go deeper than what may be expected from dog art. Among his works with such a profound message is “Rosie”; a painting that Janes hopes communicates a message of tolerance, respect and care for both the human race and animals as well.
Although Nathan hopes to bring important messages across in his work he stresses that his paintings will always occupy a lighter side as well for “the world can be too serious at times. Dogs remind us to live with a sense of humor and to look at things like we did when we were kids.” Among Janes’ paintings that evoke such a response of child-like delight are “Foot Long Elegance” and his most recently completed work, “A Dog Day of Summer.”
Besides being a creative dog artist, Janes is also a strong supporter of animal welfare. Through his art, Nathan Janes hopes to inspire others to donate to local shelters and to consider pet adoption as a way to find a new best friend. Additionally, Janes has produced some limited edition prints with proceeds going to selected charities, which benefit dogs.
Janes’ flair for painting four legged friends has made him an emerging figure in the realm of art. In fact, Janes was recently named “Emerging Artist and Trendsetter” by Art Business News, the largest trade publication in the U.S. Janes and his art have also been recently featured in a variety of national animal publications including Paw Luxuries and Animal Fair Magazine of New York City. We find that Janes’ signature work differs greatly from that of other dog artists and is quickly growing in popularity. He certainly has a style that barks loudly to the observer and it is this uniqueness that tells us Janes will surely mark his territory within the world of animal art.
To learn more about Pop ARF and Nathan Janes, you can visit his online gallery of originals and prints at www.poparf.com or email him at Nathan@poparf.com. If you would like a Pop ARF portrait of your pooch, commission information is also available on Janes’ website.