The title says it all!
I stumbled on this utterly delightful painting at the Kingston Gallery in Boston’s South End. The artist, Joan Baldwin, has captured a “decisive moment” in the tradition of Henri Cartier-Bresson. She told me it was inspired by a visit to a park in Eastham on outer Cape Cod with her son’s dog, Lucy (a rescue dog). I love the way the composition conveys the unalloyed joy and athleticism of the dog’s upward leap, and how the sinuous line of the loose leash pulls the viewer’s eye back down to the ground, anticipating the dog’s imminent descent. The bright red accents of the leash and the ball inject a dash of canine-cayenne to the cool greens of the marsh grass.
The painting is part of Baldwin’s “Sit & Be” exhibit, on view through Sunday, April 29. The gallery will hold a closing reception on Saturday, April 28, from 4-6 pm. The Kingston Gallery is located at 450 Harrison Avenue #43, and is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5 pm.
Please note: The image here is from a photo I took on my iPhone, so please allow for slight variations from the original artwork. Better yet, go see the original and other charming paintings by Baldwin in her show at the Kingston Gallery!
