Dog owners understand the devotion between people and their pets, but even people who don’t own a dog can share the emotion in the artwork of John Weiss. “Life can be rough on anybody,” the artist says, “so if I can create something that makes people feel better, then that’s what I’ll do.” Weiss’ paintings are much more than portraits: they convey the deep and loyal bond between dogs and their owners. No matter what a person’s problems, one look at the obvious warmth, friendship, dedication, and playfulness between John’s subjects can hardly help but lift your spirits.

Weiss attributes his own loyalty to his subject to his love of dogs himself. “I am currently owned by a yellow lab named Maggie and a yorkie named Mollie,” he joked. Primarily self-taught, John’s skill in depicting them, and many others, came from years of study of both of canines and art. His father was a draftsman to whom Weiss credits his disciplined approach. His grandfather, skilled at creating duck decoys, gave him lessons in carving -- which were invaluable in creating a feeling of depth in his own paintings.

Then came ample study of artists he admired, learning technique by experience. “I explored color theory by studying a color wheel and mixing paints, ” he said. “Experience is the best teacher.” Eventually one of his dog portraits was presented to Queen Elizabeth by Lady Barlow and he won the “Cover of the Year” award from the National Dog Writers Association. His work is now sold all over the world.

Eastern Ohio

Published by
The Greenwich Workshop
since 1982

Preferred medium: oil

Our Favorite Place

“I enjoy painting simple scenes which convey the deep and loyal bond between dogs and people, because I can relate to them myself. They're familiar moments -- part of an everyday life we can understand and enjoy.”

Domestic Animals