Larry Chandler in Pointing Dog Journal (2/2)
"As a youth, I had various ways of relating to my dad, such
as hunting, fishing, or an occasional drawing lesson.
Another way we related was through watching great movies. I
remember one Sunday afternoon in 1956 - I was six years old
then - my dad telling my older brother Gene and I to come
and watch this movie that was coming on TV. The movie was
the 1940 black and white version of a film called "the Biscuit Eater".
The film took place in south Georgia and opened with some
incredible scenes of several setters and pointers on point in the
great looking pine tree backgrounds. The film was filled with
wonderful moral lessons for a young boy to pattern his life
after. It was the classic boy-to-man story that always ended
with the boy learning a hard lesson that usually only a man can
handle. This was my first look at setters working in the field. They
were beautiful...even in black and white.
The setter that I selected to use in this painting belonged to
a good friend of mine and a hunting buddy of my brother's, Matt
Stewart from Decatur, Alabama. The great - looking dog of Matt's was named
Luke. Matt told me recently that he thought Luke had the most spirited
heart of any pointing dog he had encountered. I can usually tell this also by
looking in the eyes of the dog. The ones that are destined to be great have
a special light and magic in their eyes.
Down through history, the setter, as a subject in paintings, has been
received as easily as landscapes, still lifes, and nudes. A painting that portrays
a setter at work has a very regal and classical feel to it. Almost an Old World
look to them. Even the setters in paintings by modern day artist seem to have this
same nobility.
It is always easier to do a good painting if you have a good- looking model,
dogs or humans. That is why I try hard to select models that I know
will flatter the canvas and make my job easier. The long flowing hair of the
setter lends itself to painting very nicely. This gives the dog a very soft
look and brings the focus more into the eyes and nose, which is the effect
you want to achieve.
Yes, the setter is definately one of the more beautiful subjects one can place
in a painting - or a bird field - and add grace and style."
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