A dog is man’s best friend, but sometimes he is an artist’s best model.

Dogs large and small—together with giraffes, birds, and felines—are the stars of the Sacramento Fine Arts Center’s most popular annual exhibition. The “Animal House” show runs at the center from Jan. 5th to the 30th.

Animal art has been around since cavemen first finger-painted on walls. Beasts inspired hieroglyphic devotion in Egypt. Leonardo sketched dogs as eagerly as he dissected them. Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney dashed off dachshunds with delight.

So what is it about pets and painters? “It’s instinctive for artists to have their friends pose,” said SFAC spokesman David Peterson. “It creates a record of important people in their lives. Pets are part of that. Many artists take their dogs out plein air painting. You reach for them when you need reassurance. They are never critical of technique.” Artists agree that animal portraits are no easier than human likenesses. Disinclined to be still, pets are often painted from photos. Peterson prefers live models. “If you love your dog, your emotion allows his likeness to come through,” said the watercolorist.

Aficionado attendance makes the annual animal show among SFAC’s most popular events. “It attracts around 300 art entries, from which we select 125 for exhibition,” said Peterson. “Senior homes send buses of people to view it; we also have school tours. Animal art has an emotional appeal for all ages. We started doing this show eleven years ago. Since then, galleries as far away as Santa Cruz have copied the idea.”

A painting by Loomis artist Marianne Harris is among exhibits in the juried collection. Her mixed-breed puppy Dakota Sage modeled at two-months-old. After nearly 100 dog commissions, the painter is authoritative on the genre’s challenges. “Pets are unique individuals,” she said. “Defining that uniqueness is your aim. When you get it, it’s exciting.”

The exhibition also includes junior entrants. “Family members often buy their work,” reported Peterson. “But selling a painting is a kick, whatever your age.” Penned by Cameron Ranch Elementary School pupils, animal-theme poetry will be displayed with the art.

The Animal House exhibit includes more related events: on Jan. 8th, an open mike art-fest will showcase local performers; the 2nd Saturday reception (Jan. 9th) will feature piano player Larry Lowe; a Jan. 23rd poetry and jazz presentation turns a spotlight on Sacramento Poetry Center readers and the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quartet. Tickets for this event are $25.

The SFAC gallery is at 5330 B Gibbons Drive. To learn more about this event, visit www.SacFineArts.org.

Learn about animal portraits by Marianne Harris at www.mebsart.com.