Digital Dog Days
Different dog. Different vibe.
Each one deserving of a moment in the spotlight.
Art Can Change the Way We See Shelter Dogs
I’m working on a project to help Napa shelter dogs, rooted in a simple belief: art can change the way we see them.
As a creative director and designer, I think visually—through story, energy, and personality. Every dog has a presence: a mood, a spirit, a quiet intelligence. Through color, texture, and different painting styles, that energy can be felt before a single word is read.
I’m using art and AI tools to help tell these dogs’ stories in a way that feels joyful, vibrant, and full of life.
Shelter dogs don’t need to be presented as sad or depressing. They are hopeful, expressive, and ready to be seen—and art allows us to meet them that way.
It started simply—experimenting with AI artwork to create a calendar of my dog, Reba, as a Christmas gift. Then I created a digital portrait of a favorite shelter dog, Azula. It was fun, playful, and surprisingly moving. Soon after, I made another piece for Rayo, a husky with a completely different energy.
As I continued experimenting, I began to see how powerful this tool could be. This project has become an exploration of how digital tools—when used thoughtfully and creatively—can make a real emotional impact.
Seeing Shelter Dogs, Differently
Right now, this work exists as original artwork and early explorations—calendars, prints, and custom products. But the heart of the project is its openness. It’s designed to evolve, leaving space for collaboration, imagination, and new ways of honoring shelter dogs through art.
I imagine a future where every family who adopts a dog from the Napa County Animal Shelter receives a custom portrait—something joyful and lasting to mark that new beginning. Or where the volunteers who pour so much care into these animals are gifted a portrait in recognition of the quiet, meaningful work they do every day. A few volunteers have already asked for copies, and I’ve printed the first batch to give away.
Too often, once a dog is adopted, their story simply disappears from the shelter website. But adoption is not an ending—it’s a milestone. A portrait becomes more than visibility; it becomes a celebration. A way to honor a dog’s journey, the people who supported them, and the moment everything changes.
If you’re interested in collaborating—through custom products, storytelling, promotion, or another creative partnership—I’d love to explore what we could build together. This project is about visibility, celebration, and seeing shelter dogs for who they truly are: vibrant, expressive, and deeply worthy of being seen.
