His name is Tucker and he's approximately 11 years old.
Tucker wandered as a stray, dragging a large bolt and chain for weeks before an animal control office was able to catch him and take him to safety. This beautiful shepherd weighed just 49 pounds and was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, the canine equivalent of multiple sclerosis.
Since Tucker cannot “lift his leg” in the usual manner in order to pee, he walks and waggles his way down the sidewalk leaving elaborate streams in his wake. His foster mom saw beauty in these elaborate patterns and began photographing the unique and unusual configurations. Her lens captured the compositions as they spontaneously occurred in the natural course of their daily strolls through the neighborhood.
Tucker had his first one dog show exhibiting these PEE-ces of Art last weekend at a local gallery. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of his PEE-ces of art goes to two local rescue groups, The Cleveland Animal Protective League and The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs.
Here's an excerpt of his interview with local reporter, John Campanelli:
How did you discover that relieving yourself physically could also mean relieving yourself artistically?
It was clearly a spontaneous discovery. I guess you could say it arose out of a "stream of consciousness."
"Tinkle trails" seems a bit unsophisticated; what's the proper name that describes your artwork?
"PEE-ces of Art, by Tucker," although I do like "tinkle trails." Can I use that?
How do you want people to view your artwork?
Completely subjectively and not too seriously. I hope it inspires people to see art in the everyday occurrences of their own lives. Beauty can be found in everything, in everyone, and everywhere. You just have to "paws" long enough to see it.
Who or what is your muse?
You know, there is this cute little poodle down the street . . . Other times, it's just too much water.
Click here to buy one of the PEE-ces below.
Twilight
Golden
Slate
My Beating Heart
Pee Horse
Artists, through and through.
ReplyDeleteThis is a piss-take, right?
ReplyDeleteI'll take a walk in the park and look for the new spring flowers and blooms.
ReplyDeleteSecretia
I had done that, but of course, I was drunk at the time!
ReplyDeleteI just love this story! What a sweet face! I hope some art dealer declares this the newest, greatest thing in modern art and they all become hideously wealthy! Yay for dogs!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this!!
Hmmm, yesterday's post is suddenly making more sense...
ReplyDeletei was wonderin when u'd run out of places...
ReplyDeletePEE-ces? Cool name. I'm just grateful it wasn't FAE-ces. That would just be crappy.
ReplyDeleteI never knew there was so much class & culture in Cleveland!!! You must be proud! (((HUGS)))
ReplyDelete@Christine Macdonald,
ReplyDeleteYou know it.
@Cogitator,
not shittin' you.
@Secretia,
They're on their way. :-)
@R. Jacob,
Ha! Maybe you should frame them.
@Anything fits a naked man,
I thought the same thing! The poor thing's medical bills are probably really high.
@Dreamfarm Girl,
Touche!
@Anonymous,
I didn't run out. Cleveland is as much about the people (animals) as it is about the places. :-)
@IndigoWrath,
Ew...good point!
@Collette,
I am, Collette, I am! :-)
OMG...what an ADORABLE post!
ReplyDeleteAnd how ingenious..."PEE-ces of Art!"
..."It was clearly a spontaneous discovery. I guess you could say it arose out of a "stream of consciousness."....
Bwhahahahahahahahaha!
What a sweet little face Tucker has. And such TALENT!
Growing up, my family always had sheperds. They're loving, smart, and tremendously loyal.
Great post, girl!
Woof!
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