Cuthbert

Cuthbert by Paul Compton
Cuthbert by Paul Compton

Cuthbert

Ink on paper drawing from my 2005 series The Dead Dog Project. This body of work focused on how children cope with the subject of death.
This drawing is of a “taxidermy soft toy” I made and named Cuthbert.

  • kossimarsalsa

    kossimarsalsa, 2 months ago

    it’s rather cute, nice idea by the way, very intereesting.

    lovely drawing, you have a very good feel about all your lovely pictures.

    xx
    s-a

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to kossimarsalsa’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thank you for appreciating this and commenting kossimarsalsa : )

  • Nicole Ryan

    Nicole Ryan, 2 months ago

    oh you’re the sweetest !

    a ‘taxidermy soft toy’ !!!

    Fabulous drawing .. you know how much i love the way your ink translates.

    The topic is beautifully translated .. sad .. but beautiful .. and such a part of the circle of life no matter how much it breaks your heart.

    xx

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Nicole Ryan’s comment, 2 months ago

    Ah thank you dear Nicole! Your comments and support mean a great deal to me. Hope you’re peachy. xo

  • John Douglas

    John Douglas, 2 months ago

    I want to play with Cuthbert

  • pinkyjain

    pinkyjain, 2 months ago

    Cuthbert is so adorable, your ink drawing in this is magnificent Paul, looks so much like a vintage photograph, with all the fine exquisite details, the lighting, a Paul Masterpiece. And the idea is remarkable & such a sweet way to teach children about death

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to John Douglas’s comment, 2 months ago

    Oh I’d love for you to see an animation I made called Dead Dogs Can’t (Play Ball) John. I think you’d like it. I don’t have Cuthbert anymore because I set up a free adoption service for my taxidermy soft toys at the exhibition of this series. Cuthbert went to a good home though. x

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to pinkyjain’s comment, 2 months ago

    Oh, thank you so much pinkyjain! I’m so glad you like this. Thank you for the support. xo

  • John Douglas

    John Douglas, 2 months ago

    I sure hope he did. And yes you KNOW I’d love to see your Dead Dogs Can’t (Play Ball)! I think I have a voodoo powder for dead dog ball playing

  • purelydecorative

    purelydecorative, 2 months ago

    So sweet and sad- it’s his dark eyes that get me. And how do you think children cope with death?

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to purelydecorative’s comment, 2 months ago

    Generally they don’t because it is often shielded from them. This was the case in my family at least now look at me – I’m obsessed with death and melancholy. LOL! I think children find it impossible to comprehend the idea that someone they knew simply doesn’t exist anymore. That’s why a lot of parents chose to tell their kids that Fido has gone to heaven. I think it’s best to take the time to help kids adjust to life without their loved one just as much as this is the case with adults. Gosh I do waffle on don’t I. Thank you for commenting purelydecorative. It means a lot to me.

  • Robert Knapman

    Robert Knapman, 2 months ago

    Well hi there Cuthbert. Gorgeous drawing Paul. Glad he went to a good home. A place where all dogs should go .)

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Robert Knapman’s comment, 2 months ago

    I completely agree. Thank you so much for your kindness and support Robert : )

  • butchart

    butchart, 2 months ago

    cuthbert and his story has touched me this morning…. thank you paul…........b

  • Firedrake

    Firedrake, 2 months ago

    Aw, he has seen better days! He is gorgeous!

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to butchart’s comment, 2 months ago

    Have a wonderful day Butch. Thank you. xo

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Firedrake’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thank you Firedrake. Best wishes to you.

  • hilarydougill

    hilarydougill, 2 months ago

    fantastic artwork, beautifully rendered, great character. hugs

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to hilarydougill’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thank you so much Hilary. That’s incredibly kind of you. I’m sending a big hug right back to you. XO

  • Karin  Taylor

    Karin Taylor, 2 months ago

    gosh! you’re so clever Paul!!
    wonderully done, the writing too, you’ve thought of everything :D

  • meltaylor

    meltaylor, 2 months ago

    What a beautiful work, Paul!!
    I love your techniques and your style!! Poor Cuthbert!!
    mel

  • darkestartist

    darkestartist, 2 months ago

    excellent! You have a soft way with Death, I like your treatment here with Cuthbert. I think it’s great to get on a child’s level about it, and you seem to know how to do it well.

  • SANCHEZISDEAD

    SANCHEZISDEAD, 2 months ago

    another great work Paul cheers for it always glad to check your artwork

  • Tine  Wiggens

    Tine Wiggens, 2 months ago

    Wonderful Paul!!

  • Tina Hogg

    Tina Hogg, 2 months ago

    Cuthbert is gorgeous – and I’m sure, had he not died, he would have loved your portrait of him.
    At least he’s resting peacefully in a good home!

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 2 months ago

    Oh you’re such a sweetheart Karin. Thank you so much : )

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to meltaylor’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thank you so much Mel. Indeed, poor Cuthbert. xo

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to darkestartist’s comment, 2 months ago

    I really appreciate that darkestartist. Thank you for your wonderful support : )

  • darkestartist

    darkestartist, 2 months ago

    very welcome :) as someone who deals with death a lot, we have to make light of it somehow, or make it less harsh at any rate.

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to SANCHEZISDEAD’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thank you for stopping by and for the lovely comment SANCHEZ. Best wishes to you.

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Tine Wiggens’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thank you Tine!!

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Tina Hogg’s comment, 2 months ago

    Exactly. Thank you so much Tambala. All the best to you.

  • wynity2

    wynity2, 2 months ago

    Paul, Cuthbert is so cute, and your artistic talent has made him so beautifully soft and loveable!!

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to wynity2’s comment, 2 months ago

    Aw, thank you Beth. I appreciate that very much. x

  • GLAMAZON

    GLAMAZON, 2 months ago

    Lov’n Cuthbert.

  • Sylvia Karall

    Sylvia Karall, 2 months ago

    Wonderful, Paul. You have such a way with pen and ink. Your work stirs up emotion.

  • Mui-Ling Teh

    Mui-Ling Teh, 2 months ago

    It’s an irony that this dog still smiles despite it being ruffed up and abandoned, but can’t help it because that smile is stitched. I just read your “Dead Dogs Can’t….” poem, and it helps me draw out more ideas. “The truth is that dogs do die with the fact you cannot vie”. Dead dogs don’t smile either. One can be in denial by getting a fake dog that will always smile, and smiles are meant to please, but they cause more grief if forced in order to conceal sadness. While a stuff toy can last forever, seeing it in this state, I can’t help but feel sorrow for it (though I hope Cuthbert is smiling for real in his new home now!)

    Amazing how these contrary combinations create such striking images – though admittedly it isn’t that alone that makes this so striking; the detailed hatching along your drawing style and washes is also incredible.

  • BLYTHART

    BLYTHART, 2 months ago

    Maybe I am being stupid here, but do you mean “taxidermy” in the strict sense of the word, as in stuffing the corpses of animals? This was very popular in Victorian times, but I’d never heard of making them into cuddly toys. The drawing is, as always, excellent.

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Sylvia Karall’s comment, 2 months ago

    A wonderful compliment Sylvia, I can’t thank you enough. xo

  • Kimberley Sutherland

    Kimberley Suth..., about 1 month ago

    wow, brings back memories of not quite understanding the concept of death when i was young….

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to Kimberley Sutherland’s comment, about 1 month ago

    Thank you Kimberly. I’m still having trouble understanding the concept of death – and dealing with it is a whole other kettle of fish. Thank you for commenting and for adding me to your watchlist! Yay : )

  • LasTBreatH

    LasTBreatH, 1 day ago

    Brilliant work once again paul!!

  • Paul Compton

    Paul Compton in reply to LasTBreatH’s comment, about 10 hours ago

    Thanks mate. Hope you’re smilin’.

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Available for sale as Cards and Matted Prints