Selected Welsh Springer Spaniel Artwork
One of the challenges in finding artwork of Welshies is the propensity for 19th century artists to label the dogs as generic spaniels or cockers, and not specify the actual breed. Welshies were often entered in the same class as Springers or Cockers in dog shows of the time. There are many very nice works of red/white dogs where it is difficult to determine if these are old-style Springers, Clumbers, English Cockers, or Welshies. You should review the artwork by these artists, including John Emms, Reuben Ward Binks, and Arthur Wardle, and see if anything strikes you as particularly Welsh Springer Spaniel-like. Encore Editions is a good place to browse to see if you'd like to see these historical prints from the late 18th and 19th century, and their prices are reasonable.
I've highlighted the 20th and 21st century artists below because I think they capture representative aspects of Welshies and they appeal to me. There are many other artists who have produced WSS artwork but I have not listed them here. This is not intended to be an exhaustive accounting of all artists who have ever painted a Welsh Springer Spaniel. I think the discovery process is half the fun, and the sites that I've recommended have hidden gems for you to review. I should also mention that I am neither endorsing nor soliciting for these artists or web sites-I just feel their work is worth a mention and hope you agree.
I've highlighted the 20th and 21st century artists below because I think they capture representative aspects of Welshies and they appeal to me. There are many other artists who have produced WSS artwork but I have not listed them here. This is not intended to be an exhaustive accounting of all artists who have ever painted a Welsh Springer Spaniel. I think the discovery process is half the fun, and the sites that I've recommended have hidden gems for you to review. I should also mention that I am neither endorsing nor soliciting for these artists or web sites-I just feel their work is worth a mention and hope you agree.
Eirene Hunter, Scotland UK
Eirene Hunter is a Scottish artist with her own website used to showcase her portraiture of livestock, horses, and dogs. She is now in her eighties, and did own a Welshie, Polly, who she used as the model for some of her paintings. Polly passed away in 2012, and I gave the last limited edition Wendy print a good home here at Rysan. That print is now listed on the web site under 'Past Work', and features a Welshie standing over a bird it has retrieved. The print is now available only as an unnumbered work, along with several other very nice WSS prints of dogs and puppies lounging in the garden, also unnumbered. She still has a limited edition Welshie print of a dog by a woodland stream that is quite lovely. She responds to emails and ships her packages promptly, and the prints are very reasonably priced. I enjoy emailing her and check her web site regularly for updated works. Oh, and she did agree to sign the prints I purchased!
Alexandra Churchill, Gloucestershire UK
My favorite print from Alex Churchill is a limited edition titled 'Rusty', and shows the Welsh Springer Spaniel sitting next to a crock overflowing with apples. I just imagine him using his inquisitive nose to sniff around the apples piled high in the container, proceeding to knock a few onto the tiles and assuming the look of 'Who, me? when his human asks what he's doing. The print is not currently found on her eponymous fine arts web site, but I did locate it in an online store run by Paul Keevil, a reputable seller I have dealt with in the past . You can see and purchase the 'Rusty' print at Paul's online store.
Steven Nesbitt, Norfolk UK
Steven Nesbitt has a realistic, almost photographic painting style, and while I may not care for all his Welshie representations, there are a few pieces I really like. I am most fond of the one titled 'Waiting To Show', since it depicts a more relaxed and candid set of Welshies 'vignettes'. The print is available in a very limited edition of 250, and can be found at his website, along with six additional WSS prints you may like.
Henry Wilkinson, Kent UK
Henry Wilkinson passed away in 2011, but he was a master engraver and etcher and produced several lovely drypoint prints of Welsh Springers, mostly in outdoor or hunting motifs. Limited edition artwork is still available from this online seller, and I have purchased some of these for my own enjoyment. To me, Wilkinson 'got' the Welshie-he was able to capture body language, expression, and working style with economy of effort.
Lynn Patterson, Staffordshire UK
Artist Lynn Patterson has a lovely miniature Welshie head study on her web site that is available framed. I've offered it as an award at previous ASC shows, and love the kind expression and correct stop, ear length and proportion that she's captured. The price is very reasonable, and even though it's only about 4" square, it is a wonderful example of the breed.
Hannah Bliss, Sarasota FL USA
Hannah has a series of cute WSS prints, some of which are viewable on her FB page. I acquired several very nice ones from Carla Vooris at Nationals at a reasonable price. You can contact Hannah at her business email address for information on Welshie prints and costs.