Artwork copyright Cheri O'Brien. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Larry's Dreams, 2001

Cheri O'Brien
American (born 1958)

Location: Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia

About the Artwork

Larry's Dreams is a painting by artist Cheri O'Brien. It is part the artist’s series of dog portraits that she did of her beloved Collie-Labrador mix named Larry, who lived to the old age of fifteen. This series shows the love, joy, and happiness that is shared between people and their pets. O'Brien notes, “In this painting, he is dreaming about all the things he loves to do such as chase cats, pee on bushes, rolling in a good, stinky fish, singing at the train that goes by our house 26 times a day, watching the neighborhood and sleeping.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State Arts Commission.

About the Artist

Northwest artist Cheri O'Brien creates quirky and humorous narrative folk-compositions. She uses many different materials, including oil painting, paper-mache sculpture, and painted glass. In her own words, "My paintings are reflections of my life as an artist, mother, and observer. I attempt to understand my world with finding humor in beauty and the beauty of humor."