Van Gogh The One-Eared Dog Sells Off Painting For $10K

By Mikelle Leow, 07 Mar 2023

Van Gogh the painting dog has gotten animal lovers around the world starry, starry-eyed with his moving story and artistic pawtential. Now, his work is getting buyers to the tune of thousands of dollars.

The boxer-pitbull mix lost his ear after being forced into a dog fighting ring as a stray, and it left him so wounded that his left ear had to be amputated. The Happily Furever After Rescue in Bethel, Connecticut, took him in and gave him a safe space, and then lovingly nurtured his artistic talents. Van Gogh finally found his new family in December, and he continues to paint in his forever home and studio.

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Van Gogh remains a fur-vent painter in his new crib, and he’s created over 150 artworks since moving in. For his latest gig, he’s been commissioned by his old shelter to paint for a dedicated charity auction. The event, entitled Van Gogh Reimagined, features 10 barking-good impressions of the Post-Impressionist’s masterpieces. The auction kicked off on March 3—Van Gogh the pooch’s eighth birthday—and is set to run through March 30, Van Gogh the human’s 170th birthday.

In contrast with Van Gogh the dog’s first art show, which sadly only drew two guests, his current sale is off to a tail-wagging start. His version of The Starry Night has caught the eye of pet food brand Pedigree, whose nonprofit has purchased the work for US$10,000 to help the organization bring an end to pet homelessness.

Abstract renditions of Sunflowers and his namesake’s self-portrait remain available. Each work is signed with Van Gogh’s paw print, and all proceeds will help fund Happily Furever After Rescue’s efforts to find homes for lost dogs, especially the oft-misunderstood pitbulls.

To draw out Van Gogh’s artistic side, caregivers apply peanut butter on top of a plastic bag with a canvas and paint inside. This prompts the talented pup to get creating with his tongue.

These days, his palate is being piqued further with an extended palette of dog-friendly treats like pumpkin purée, ground-up liverwurst, and goat whip.

You can view some of Van Gogh’s delightful works that are on offer below.

Sunflowers