About Marianne Dorn
My great appetite for drawing and looking at pictures came, seemingly out of nowhere, at just a few years old. To begin with, my fascination with picture-making came as quite a surprise both to my scientifically-minded father and to my mother, an English teacher who has always chosen to express her many ideas verbally rather than visually.
From the start, animals were my other great obsession. I drew them, painted them, read about them and then went on to become first a veterinary surgeon and eventually also an animal physiotherapist. My formal art training therefore ended on completion of art A-level. However, throughout my time at university and into my working life, I have sketched relentlessly and sought out every opportunity to improve my artistic skills and way of seeing, from life drawing groups to visiting galleries and reading widely around the subject.
My interest in art soon expanded far beyond the simple representation of animals. I became fascinated by the process of looking at any subject and converting it into a visual image on paper or canvas, whether using tone or line or colour. Beyond this, I am now more interested in how we can represent what we do not directly see, i.e. the visual representation of abstract concepts such as fear or joy.
A few years ago, when my children were younger, I took a break from full-time veterinary work and focused on art, starting this website and teaching some art classes locally for a while. However, art can no longer fill my day: I am now busy through the week working as The Rehab Vet (providing vet assessment and physiotherapy for lame or painful dogs and cats), plus also work part-time as a regular vet at a local clinic and perform music now and again with my group, Kleztopia.
However busy my day becomes, I continue to look at the world with curiosity and you will rarely find me without at least one sketchbook in my bag.
This website was set up as a place to share ideas now and again in blog form. I have not had the chance to add to the blog for a while, but my artistic mind is still switched on and I keep an eye on the website. You are most welcome to share comments on any of the blog pages with further suggestions, questions or discussion.
hi Marianne,
l am now the proud carer for the Pig on the Pear painting. Thank you so much for your wonderful quirky take on life.
Julia
Hi Julia
Really glad you like it and lovely to hear from you. We were fond of that picture and were just wondering where it had ended up. I’ve just spent some of the proceeds on some yummy new oil colours so watch this space…
Best wishes
Marianne
Marianne,
well done last night, winner of the HAS members vote. respect.
best wishes
Chris B
Thanks, Chris! Am looking forward to your own exhibition opening this week at the Hertford Theatre Gallery.
dear Marianne
the picture of the galloping horse drew my attention. It looks like an x-ray but given the motion that doesn’t seem to be the case. I wonder how this photo has been made. Could you give me some more details …?
thank you so much
Hello, It is possible to create both x-ray video footage and still x-ray images of smaller animals moving on a treadmill. For example, Prof Dr Martin S.Fischer and Dr Karin E.Lilje have recorded radiographic “videos” of various dog breeds walking and running on treadmills. However, the resulting images that I’ve come across are focused in on just one part of the animal at a time. In the moving dog x-rays, there is also not quite the resolution/focus/contrast throughout the image as there is with the horse image. So, in short, I don’t know the answer to this. If you come across further information then please do share it as I’d love to know more.
Hello Marianne! I just wanted to express my gratitude for your incredible wisdom and sharing (I know you are busy!) on this blog. As a new painter I will be returning often, and am grateful for all your insights and depth of references; I love (and understand) your ‘language’.
Thanks again! Stay healthy & happy while sketching!