Bettina Strauss

As an artist, I've always focussed on exploring the relation between light, shapes, structures and colours. My series of clean, vivid, playful canine studio portraits is an ongoing project photographed at Happy Hound Photography in Vancouver. Created to celebrate our furry companions, it is a reminder of the joy, delight and wisdom dogs add to our lives.

These sessions often resemble a dance between photographer and model. With the camera between them, both sides are watching each other, constantly exchanging looks as a way to anticipate the next move. Not surprisingly, I'm especially fascinated by the depth of these animal eyes: expressions to get lost in, glances that connect, and calm gazes inviting us to pause and reflect. Each dog photography is presented on large-format wall art pieces.

To accentuate the painterly quality of the images, they are printed on archival gallery canvas, each piece skillfully wrapped and stretched on 1.5'' bars.