Artwork copyright Cheri O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2016.

Artwork copyright Cheri O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Larry and the Coyotes, 1989

Cheri O'Brien
American (born 1958)

Location: Office of the Attorney General - Natural Resources Division (Olympia), Olympia

About the Artwork

Artist Cheri O'Brien created Larry and the Coyotes as part of a series of paintings about dogs. It is a portrait of the artist's family dog, Larry. The setting is inspired by the Cascade Range mountains and the family of coyotes she could hear howling at night and in the early morning.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Office of the Attorney General.

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."