Inspired by Dogs

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I love your work and philosophy. I also love dogs and we always have a rescue, one or two, living with us!

Jacqui (UK)

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A love of dogs

Portuguese Water Dog | The Enlightened Hound

The unshakeable bond between humans and dogs is timeless and will always be the inspiration behind The Enlightened Hound. I was totally blindsided for the amazing bond that I would have with my dog, Figo, a Portuguese Water Dog. He is loyal, funny, uplifting, incredibly calming and very difficult to be anything but happy in his company. I do a lot of ‘dog watching”. Observing how they react and adapt to life in a human world is a constant source of interest to me.

Printmaker Debbie Kendall and her dog Figo | The Enlightened Hound

Purchasers of my work often contact me to tell me how much my prints mean to them and I love to hear such feedback and find it enormously motivating. People love to talk about their dogs and their stories are endlessly funny, heart-breaking, surprising, wonderful and moving. I am continually heartened, encouraged and honoured to produce work that dog lovers can identify with.

Hand Lettering & Language

Pen & Ink drawing materials | The Enlightened Hound

Hand drawn letters are a constant feature of my work. Hand-lettering is the the art of drawing letters. No two letters will be the same, unlike a typeface where any given letter will always be identical. I am particularly inspired by the decorative American typefaces of the 18th and 19th centuries.

I love the quirks and colloquialisms of the English language with its curious idioms and turns of phrase and enjoy finding ways that these can be incorporated into my prints.

You can see more of my hand lettering work over on my blog.

Vintage & Hand-Made

Vitnage Dog Ephemera | The Enlightened Hound

I am also influenced by my growing collection of ephemera ~ old labels, handbills, tickets, show posters, hand-painted signs and vintage packaging ~ designed and printed before the digital age.

As a counterpoint to today’s fast paced, technological world, I like things that have been produced by hand, with simple tools or with the aid of vintage, clanking, cast iron, hand-operated machines. I celebrate the imperfect, the wonky lines and inherent character of the homespun.