About the Artist

Mary Pat Rice

As one who lives with chronic pain, I have felt at times profound isolation in my experience of a disability that is invisible to the world. Soon after I became unable to work, a friend gave me a dog named Goma. Living with a dog enhanced my well-being to a life-changing degree. When Goma passed away after our twelve years together, I felt compelled to lovingly memorialize him by creating art. To many of us with disabilities, dogs provide opportunities to have greater independence, social interaction, and a deeper connection to nature. Drawing dogs stripped away all pretentiousness of art for me and is simply what brings me joy. The challenge of conveying the colors and textures of fur, noses, and paws is like solving a puzzle for me. I do this with the pose I choose, the color I use, and the recreation of light and shadow. Trying to capture the spirit, personality, and mood of a dog that is loved deeply by someone feeds my soul.

Art on display at Courage Kenny and online gallery.