This series has been such a labour of love as well as learning so much as an artist about drawing. It kicked off when a student asked me if I could help them learn to draw. I said that I'd love to, immediately thinking that I would need to practice myself! I came across a black and white image of my dad. He was a Spitfire pilot during WW2. It portrayed him with the squadron, outside a wooden hut on the airfield. He was holding a dog. Sadly, I never asked him about it, but as a mother of children the same age as he would have been, I can only hope that this connection with something familiar helped him pass the time.

I started looking at articles about how animals have helped during times of war, and came across an image of War dog Antis, which lead me to Maria Dickin. She was a philanthropist, living in London in the early 1900's. She realised that there were people living in such poor conditions, they could barely afford medical attention for themselves, let alone their animals. So she set up a free dispensary in the east end of London. The vets at the time said it was unsavoury and unsanitary and how dare she, but she stood her ground and basically told them to give her better equipment, find her somewhere to set up a proper clinic and to offer their services!!

What a woman! This was the beginning of the PDSA, a charity still running throughout the UK. By the time the Second World War came, she created the Dickin Medal - the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross or Purple Heart. It was to highlight the significant contribution animals were making to the war effort (it is still being awarded today). The first recipients were pigeons, and there have been dogs, horses and one cat! 

I feel I have more dogs to draw. In particular, the only Australian dog to be awarded the Dickin Medal. The SAS have commissioned me to draw Kuga. I now have to wait patiently to hear back from his handler (still on active duty) to discuss the backstory.

There are signed and editioned fine art prints of the dogs available to purchase in two sizes. 

If you would like to know more about the Dickin Medal, Maria Dickin or donate to the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals, please get in touch or visit their website.

To enquire about the dog originals, please contact me via the website or directly on 0447 979262. 🐾