Laura Benjamin

Canine Fantasy

Artist Comments
"No bad days with a dog, a ball, and a beach!" states artist Jeff Fleming. He describes his painting style as kinetic impressionism, embodying action, color and fun. "I started with a pencil sketch, then with gloved hands, applied oil paint using my fingers. Later, I added details using brushes and string. Once dried, I moved the piece to my studio floor where I whisked paint in authoritative strokes - a technique that replicates splashing."

About the Artist
Artist Jeff Fleming uses fingerpainting to create exuberant portraits of dogs. Growing up in Southern California, Jeff was first introduced to fingerpainting in kindergarten. He painted through high school and college and won several art awards, including Best of Show in a city wide student competition. After graduating with a degree in journalism and advertising, he went to work as an art director. For the next 40 years, he created print, radio and television ads for a number of top agencies. "After retiring in 2019, the clouds of stress and pressure cleared and allowed me to set my creative energy free," says Jeff. He began developing new techniques focused on the excitement and energy of painting. Today, he uses a variety of methods and tools, including fingerpainting wearing nitrile gloves, traditional paint brushes, bamboo shish kebab sticks, kite string, spraypaint and splattering. While working, Jeff always listens to music, including Broadway musicals, dance music and rhythmic Hawaiian tunes.

Words that describe this painting: dog, animal, impressionism, Iris Scott...