SF Artist Bringing Dog's World To Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, CA — If indeed, to an artist, the world is his or her canvas, then it's definitely a dog's world in Samuel Price's mind.

The San Francisco artist who's been commissioned as one of four artists on the Cal Ave Parking Garage project by the city of Palo Alto has made a living and lifestyle out of making man's best friend come to life as artwork out of tiny squares of paper. Each canvas contains hundreds of tiny magazine squares, with the finished piece based on a photograph.

"I'm so thrilled to be included in this exciting new public art project in Palo Alto. It's the first time that I have exhibited my artwork to the public in such a large scale, and am thrilled to share my art with the community. I have spent 20 years creating custom dog art from tiny paper magazines squares for clients all over the U.S.," dog collage artist Sam Price told Patch. "What is really fun about my work is the ability to view it from a different vantage, either up close or from across the street to see all the small squares that make up the larger image."

Whatever the particular vantage point, Palo Alto is considered a scenic doggy destination, and Price has picked up on that character of the city.

"I hope animal lovers from all over the Bay Area will stop by to sneak a peek and share a photo with their four-legged friends," he said.

His dog portrait collages have been featured at some of the San Francisco Bay Area’s largest art events from the Sausalito Art Festival in the North Bay to the Kings Mountain Art Festival on the Peninsula.

Here's a sample in a time lapse video.

Price will be joined by artists Phillip Hua, Allison Kunath and Oree Originol for the Cal Ave art project on California Avenue southeast of Stanford University as a way to beautify the temporary barricade during the construction of the garage, which is expected to last about a year.

His artwork may be seen https://www.mydogcollage.com/.

"We thought it would be fantastic for the artists and a good way to beautify our city," said Palo Alto Public Art Program coordinator Nadya Chuprina.

The artists paid $4,000 each will have a 40-inch-by-100+-foot plywood canvas to work off of, and the installation will take place in October. When the wall comes down, the artwork will be printed on vinyl.

The art program established to enhance civic pride and sense of place is intended as a commitment to contributing to the intellectual, emotional, and creative life of the Palo Alto community by creating engaging art experiences and dynamic public spaces for Palo Alto residents and visitors to view.