TANIA MELNYCZUK

Milkhound

LAST UPDATED: 22 April 2024
Inspired by the theme ‘milk’, I drew a dog, preferring the elegance of sighthounds to the ploddiness of cows. I wanted to utilise every available teat, but I didn’t want to make the scene sad, so I ensured that those drawing milk from the milkhound are also providing it with sustenance in the form of […]

Inspired by the theme ‘milk’, I drew a dog, preferring the elegance of sighthounds to the ploddiness of cows. I wanted to utilise every available teat, but I didn’t want to make the scene sad, so I ensured that those drawing milk from the milkhound are also providing it with sustenance in the form of noodlegrass. The result is an ongoing conversation about dependence, codependence and interdependence.

I noticed the similarity between the classical depictions of Romulus and Remus and their lupine adoptive mother, but I can’t remember whether that image appeared in my mind before the image appeared on the paper.

Milkhound 1 (seen below) is on exhibition and available to buy for R15,500 at the Kingsbridge Art gallery in Bellville from 25 April to 25 May 2024.

Ballpoint drawing of a phantastical robot dog with many humanoid and other beings drinking from its teats.
Milkhound 1 – AVAILABLE TO BUY

Milkhound 2 – SOLD

Initial Sketches and Progress Pictures

My Process

An artwork begins with a ballpoint drawing on acid-free paper. Occasionally I may also use pencil construction lines and reference photos.

Once this base drawing is complete, it is professionally scanned at high resolution and then cleaned up to remove stray spots or finger marks before being turned into a museum-quality print on off-white German etching paper. The process enhances the original work, creating greater contrast and presence. The paper size is usually bigger than the original, to allow for better positioning during framing.

I then draw in additional unique elements such as additional figures, botanical elements or embellishments, once again using ballpoint. The Hahnemuhle paper has a blackening effect on the ballpoint additions, so the transitions between the print and the new marks are not easily apparent to the viewer, even by close examination. The final artwork is a unique numbered variant of the base drawing.

Sometimes the base drawing is also available to buyers. While the scale is typically the same, the paper size is usually smaller, and the drawing itself is dark grey on white paper rather than solid black on off-white textured paper.

I sign my work on the back.

Framing

I regard presentation as an important part f the buyer's experience, and therefore prefer to present and sell my work framed where possible. I collaborate with expert framers who are either artists or art consultants, and will usually choose art glass and aluminium with off-white mounting.