Sofa Surfer - SOLD
By Denise Liebermann
Original artwork
Oil on canvas
Framed
This painting is the centrepiece of our Indulgence 2025 summer show. The languid sprawl of the dog across the boldly-striped red and white sofa says it all - no permission required to sit on the furniture!
A serene and intimate portrayal that captures a moment of quiet companionship. Human and canine residents are equally - and rightfully - indulged.
The greyhound's sleek silver body, draped across the plump cushion, contrasts strikingly with the vibrant upholstery. Seated beside the relaxed hound is a partially-depicted figure in casual pose, dressed in navy trousers, a crisp white blouse and a mustard yellow cardigan. One very trendy trainer-clad foot peeks from under the hem, adding a touch of whimsy and echoing Denise's signature detail of having a prominent shoed foot in the foreground of her paintings.
The painting’s composition perfectly balances bold colour with calm elegance, creating a visual harmony that speaks to comfort, loyalty and the simple pleasure of shared stillness nand trust.
Denise says: "I LOVED spending time on this painting!"
More broadly, Denise is an artist who tells stories in paint. Sometimes the narrative is complex and we catch a stolen moment from a drama unfolding. Other times, she focuses on a much simpler and perennial theme - the relationship between humans and their dog companions.... Or is that the other way round?
For 2025 we have four new large pieces on the dog-plus-human theme, covering a diverse range of moments that any dog lover will recognise. These are not portraits as such - they are not about likeness - but they are stylised observations based on capturing expressions and postures. They're striking statement pieces - for art and dog lovers who like to make their feelings clear on both topics.
Each one is charactertistic of her style: cleverly observed, carefully composed, playing with viewpoint and perspective, leanly applied paint and reflecting her own joy in living alongside our canine friends.
ABOUT DENISE LIEBERMANN
Denise is a Worcestershire-based artist who works closely with another of our artists, Wendi Weller, and who has become respected for her animal-with-human narrative paintings.
We were the first gallery to debut her work and have supported her worthy rise to fame in the last two years, focusing on her large narrative works that tell stories - or capture moments in an ongoing story where the viewer is left to fill in the gaps.
She creates large, impactful and intriguing statement paintings that appeal to confident and canny collectors who have wall spaces where they like to express their joie de vivre.
"My passion as an artist lies in the intricate dance between capturing a person or a dog's outer likeness and revealing their inner essence. Through each stroke of my brush or pencil, I aim to unveil the stories, emotions and unique character that make each individual personality, canine or human, a work of art in their own right.
"It's about deliving into a moment, a glimpse into emotions and lives and relationships."
"In my work, I embrace a blend of classical and contemporary techniques. Whether it's a detailed, realistic portrayal or a more interpretive and abstract representation, my goal is to elicit a sense of recognition and emotional resonance in the viewer."
Denise's love of dogs translates into her ability to paint dog portraits and we are happy to arrange commissions.