Artist – Renay Shaffer
Renay Shaffer (Canadian, b. 1973) illustrates nature and animals in a detailed representational style that reflects a deep reverence for her subjects. Born in White
DROOL: How did you discover your voice in art?
Hannah Koslosky: I went to a small college in the very small town of Natchitoches, LA. Sometimes I felt like I was being homeschooled because I was close with my professors, and they gave their students a lot of freedom to create the things we wanted to create. One time, my friends and I were laughing about the idea of doing an entire art show about this weird friend we had. Our professor was like “Why not?”, and set-up the gallery space for us. It was absolutely absurd, but I think about this experience a lot, especially when I start overthinking things. It reminds me to follow through with an idea if it makes me happy, and to not worry about who’s going to like it or not. (Also, don’t worry, our friend gave us permission to do an art show about him.)
DROOL: What compels you to keep driving forward as an artist? How do you aspire to grow as an artist this year?
Hannah: Being honest with myself has helped me grow so much as an artist, and as a person in general. It’s exciting when you’re doing something you love. People can sense it, too, and it makes them want to support you. So I guess I’d like to keep growing more honest with myself, and see what opportunities come my way. I also have an idea for a children’s book about a dog that I would like to start working on.
Hannah: Being honest with myself has helped me grow so much as an artist, and as a person in general. It’s exciting when you’re doing something you love. People can sense it, too, and it makes them want to support you. So I guess I’d like to keep growing more honest with myself, and see what opportunities come my way. I also have an idea for a children’s book about a dog that I would like to start working on.
DROOL: What about dogs attracts you to them as subjects for your artwork?
Hannah: I was recently introduced to the word “familect”, which is the secret language used within a family. It can be gibberish you all know the meaning of, or just inside jokes you share. My family always had voices for our dogs. We would speak for them, and have full conversations and arguments with them. Our dogs had personalities, interests, dislikes, catch phrases-all things we made up, and we were the only ones who could really BE our dogs. Then I found out that my dog-loving friends kind of had a similar thing going on in their houses. A lot of my fondest memories with them involve us laughing about something dumb that our dog said. This is what I like to focus on in my portraits, so I’ll ask clients, “Tell me anything your dog does, or says, that’s dumb. Something quirky they do. Their favorite band, etc.” And they do! The fact that we build characters and stories out of these animals who have no clue what’s going on is so funny to me.
Hannah: I was recently introduced to the word “familect”, which is the secret language used within a family. It can be gibberish you all know the meaning of, or just inside jokes you share. My family always had voices for our dogs. We would speak for them, and have full conversations and arguments with them. Our dogs had personalities, interests, dislikes, catch phrases-all things we made up, and we were the only ones who could really BE our dogs. Then I found out that my dog-loving friends kind of had a similar thing going on in their houses. A lot of my fondest memories with them involve us laughing about something dumb that our dog said. This is what I like to focus on in my portraits, so I’ll ask clients, “Tell me anything your dog does, or says, that’s dumb. Something quirky they do. Their favorite band, etc.” And they do! The fact that we build characters and stories out of these animals who have no clue what’s going on is so funny to me.
"Have you guys ever wondered if dogs get songs stuck in their heads? I feel like they do."
DROOL: Which do you prefer: dogs or people, and why?
Hannah: Whichever one that isn’t digging holes in my yard at the time.
Hannah: Whichever one that isn’t digging holes in my yard at the time.
DROOL: If you had to choose one dog breed to characterize who you are, what breed would it be and why?
Hannah: I really like drawing old yellow labs with lots of fat rolls, so maybe that’s my inner dog. Specifically one who is sunbathing in her yard on a weekend. And her whole family is home, so there’s no stress and no kenneling. That’s the life. Also maybe she’s wearing sunglasses too, because that’s funny.
Hannah: I really like drawing old yellow labs with lots of fat rolls, so maybe that’s my inner dog. Specifically one who is sunbathing in her yard on a weekend. And her whole family is home, so there’s no stress and no kenneling. That’s the life. Also maybe she’s wearing sunglasses too, because that’s funny.
DROOL: Anything else you want to share with the dog-loving humans of the Earth?
Hannah: Have you guys ever wondered if dogs get songs stuck in their heads? I feel like they do.
Hannah: Have you guys ever wondered if dogs get songs stuck in their heads? I feel like they do.
Give Hannah a follow @olddogink
GET DROOL IN YOUR HANDS
GET A FREE COPY OF DROOL WITH ANY PURCHASE OVER $15
USE THE CODE: DROOLME
More From
Handmade with Tim Racer
“Think twice about taking on dog carvings,” was the advice that Tim Racer’s mentor passed on 17 years ago, when Racer started his career as
Talking Dogs
The first time Bunny spoke, it was like a light bulb turned on in her furry head. The two-year-old, black-and-white sheepadoodle didn’t speak in the
Artist – Steve Feldman
Steve Feldman works as a freelance illustrator and artist from his studio/home overlooking the old Oregon Trail in scenic northeast Oregon. Working both traditionally with
