When we moved to Monmouth, IL a few years ago, we didn’t know a single person, but we noticed that there was a lovely “dog-walking culture” in town, and we quickly started to get to know people by associating them with their distinguishable dogs. Even during the current pandemic and subsequent need for social distancing, the dogs of Monmouth must still be walked. So, there continues to be a steady stream of friendly neighbors out taking their spectacular dogs on walks each day, and this has given us a sense of community and a tiny bit of normalcy despite the challenging times. We are getting to know both the fantastic dogs and the wonderful people of Monmouth, IL, and this painting celebrates just how much animals can personify and amplify human relationships.

I painted this in conjunction with The Buchanan Center of The Art’s Plein Air Event, and asked Monmouth residents to send me images of their dogs so that I could include them. I was so pleased to receive so many absolutely adorable photos, and had so much fun including all of them in the finished painting. The background is the County Courthouse and Patton-Block Building, two beautiful historic buildings in downtown Monmouth.

    - Janis Mars Wunderlich