Syracuse Poster Project | Artist's Comment Archive

Katie Hampton
Artist

Art Poster, Syracuse, Dog, Friend, Loyal, Joy, Winter

Old and loyal friend,
waking to find pure fresh snow,
leaps like a puppy.

This haiku stood out to me because I imagined a happy older dog with the spirit and energy of a puppy, excited to find a fresh pile of snow. It reminded me of my Cocker Spaniel, Buddy, who had recently passed away. I kept Buddy’s happy face in mind as I drew the dog. My style is lighthearted and cartoony, so I wanted to build on that. I took it on as a challenge to make the dog look like a puppy as well as elderly at the same time.

I had hoped so much that my poster would be chosen to be downtown, and I’m thrilled that it will be! I’ve wanted to be a part of the Poster Project since I first heard of it. As a young art student, I would see prints in the hallways. I thought, “Wow! That’s what you do when you’re a senior? That’s amazing.” When I saw the large prints downtown, I thought to myself, “I want my work to be here someday.”