Kindred Tales | Joy, Henry & Ned | London Pooch
Joy Fitzsimmons is the artist behind London Pooch who will shortly be launching her first book A Dog’s guide to Art. Mixing a combination of her two favourite topics (art and dogs), Joy has redrawn well known painting. Choosing to add a small dachshund or two, she found the artwork acquired a totally new direction. Joining Joy in her studio are her two dachshunds Ned & Henry, who choose to spend their days snoozing on the sofa patiently waiting to become guard dogs whenever anyone rings the door-bell.
Tell us a bit about your book and the inspiration behind it
I worked in publishing for many years as a book designer. During this time I wrote and illustrated two books for children and had hoped to produce more books.
When we acquired our first two wonderful dachshunds it prompted me to play with the combination of two of my favourite favourite topics. Art and dogs. By redrawing a well known painting and adding a small dachshund the drawing acquired a totally new direction. In homage to the original work it became humorous.
Originally all the artworks were designed as cards selling as London Pooch and then they became larger prints. It was a further delight to see them printed on fabric as tea towels then as ceramics mugs and various stationery.
I had long considered putting together a book version of the dachshund artworks and it was a good to encompass more breeds, always looking for a strong image and a good pun.
I am really not sure why I took so long to gather myself to make a book proposal but sometimes you just have to wait until the time is right.
To see all the work gathered together as A Dog’s Guide to Art has been so exciting and I can’t wait for it to be published by Portico Books on 12th November. It has certainly brought me cheer in these bleak Covid 19 times
When we acquired our first two wonderful dachshunds it prompted me to play with the combination of two of my favourite favourite topics. Art and dogs. By redrawing a well known painting and adding a small dachshund the drawing acquired a totally new direction. In homage to the original work it became humorous.
Originally all the artworks were designed as cards selling as London Pooch and then they became larger prints. It was a further delight to see them printed on fabric as tea towels then as ceramics mugs and various stationery.
I had long considered putting together a book version of the dachshund artworks and it was a good to encompass more breeds, always looking for a strong image and a good pun.
I am really not sure why I took so long to gather myself to make a book proposal but sometimes you just have to wait until the time is right.
To see all the work gathered together as A Dog’s Guide to Art has been so exciting and I can’t wait for it to be published by Portico Books on 12th November. It has certainly brought me cheer in these bleak Covid 19 times
Tell us about your dogs and how they came into your life.
Our first two dachshunds Archie and Doug came into our lives when I had the misfortune to need treatment for breast cancer. So, I suddenly had time for the wonderful distraction of two unruly puppies to aid my cure. And they did! We have one son and it was a lively addition to family life to give him the experience of the responsibility and attention which all dogs require.
Of course, dachshunds are biased to one owner and all the responsibility promptly fell on my shoulders. But they were terrific companions.
We had owned a dachshund Harvey when I was growing up, so I knew of their quirky nature. And they certainly were the adorable busybodies with the elegant proportions which prompted me to start drawing dogs in more detail.
After the last dachshund Archie died Ned joined us. Shaded red and very handsome. When he was 3yrs old we brought his nephew Henry into the family. Smaller black and tan and very loving. Two dogs are double the pleasure.
Of course, dachshunds are biased to one owner and all the responsibility promptly fell on my shoulders. But they were terrific companions.
We had owned a dachshund Harvey when I was growing up, so I knew of their quirky nature. And they certainly were the adorable busybodies with the elegant proportions which prompted me to start drawing dogs in more detail.
After the last dachshund Archie died Ned joined us. Shaded red and very handsome. When he was 3yrs old we brought his nephew Henry into the family. Smaller black and tan and very loving. Two dogs are double the pleasure.
How does having dogs fit into your general working day?
Being based in Herne Hill we are lucky to be in easy walk or short drive of a choice of green open spaces. Brockwell Park is a close stroll from us here and a delight to walk up the hill and view the spires of London then follow a varying route round. I am fortunate as most days of the working week my three dachshund owning pal picks me up and we chose between leafy Dulwich Park or the charm of Belair Park.
I am usually back in the house by 9.15am with the dogs walked and ready to take watch for any unsuspecting folk waiting at the bus stop beyond our front garden. I too feel energised and ready for breakfast before sitting at a laptop for some time to come. They take up guard at the front window for anyone daring to ring the door-bell.
I am usually back in the house by 9.15am with the dogs walked and ready to take watch for any unsuspecting folk waiting at the bus stop beyond our front garden. I too feel energised and ready for breakfast before sitting at a laptop for some time to come. They take up guard at the front window for anyone daring to ring the door-bell.
When you’re not working where do you like to head out to with the dog?
At the weekend we may venture further into Kent where we have friends near Faversham or north to Rutland to other dog loving pals. Both with lovely houses and gardens, we chose wisely. We are fond of taking rented cottages for a break where the dogs can be with us. We are both from Yorkshire and have a regular trip north for a dose of West Riding moors which does everyone the world of good. Then over to the Yorkshire and Whitby and the beach. We do also have our annual Easter pilgrimage to North Pembrokeshire where the dogs small legs happily achieve the circuit of craggy Dinas Head and many a stretch of the fabulous Pembrokeshire Coastal path.
What essentials do you always have on you when heading out for a dog walk, and what do you carry them in?
Most of my coat pockets are usually stuffed with biodegradable poo bags. Since Ned had suffered the complications of ivdd in his spine he has a slightly weakened back left leg. So I acquired a beautiful Harris tweed dog carrier from the extremely talented Lilly Shahravesh at Lish. It proved its worth at the time of his recovery from surgery as he slowly gained full use of his back legs.
What adventures do you have planned with the dogs for later this year?
Sadly not only the Covid 19 crisis scuppered our holiday plans this summer but I found I was to need further treatment once again for a new breast cancer. Now I am almost through it but only too aware that I will be classed as vulnerable for some time beyond. As a result, I feel cautious about booking anything for this year. Hopefully once the book has launched we might sneak away to lovely Rutland and knock on the door of our pal’s charming house and escape to their lovely home and garden for the weekend.
