PSYCHEDELIC BEST FRIENDS

    In 1991 a Louisiana born artist named George Rodrique opened a little gallery in Carmel By The Sea, and unintentionally started an art movement. I will call it the Psychedelic Pet Movement. He painted homages in blue to his dearly departed dog, Tiffany. The following year Absolut Vodka used one of his paintings in its print ad campaign, and the funny blue dogs became an industry.

    Ever since then there have been psychedelic pets, predominantly dogs, filling galleries across the country. I totally enjoy these works, but what's the deal? Yes, we love our pets, but why do we need to see them as from the height of an acid trip? These artworks are fun indeed, but our pets make us smile all the time anyway! We love and cherish our children, but do you see lots of psychedelic portraits of them? What is it?

    Local artists participating in this happy movement are Lauri Luck, seen at James Snidle Fine Arts in San Francisco, and Mylette Welch, who shows at Graton Gallery.

    Christine Kierstead's works can be found at Riverfront Gallery in Petaluma.

     Angela Bond and Rachel Fisher are represented by galleries in Canada.

    The ancient Egyptians had it right!  Bow wow, Man!