Series
Surfdog & Artbird
Vibrant characters born from childhood imagination, now bringing joyful, creative spirit and boundless possibilities to art collectors around the world.
Surfdog and Artbird started when Dallas was painting characters as a child, and Phil Taylor Studios were publishing her work on their greeting cards. From those early years, everything revolved around art for Dallas. From her quirky Surfing Dog and his painting and surfing Cockatoo companion, through to her vibrant and contemporary paintings, Dallas is fully immersed in her visions of how art transports us to a place of joy and discovery.
After training in Art and Design followed by her adventures in art studios and advertising agencies, her next step was to follow her heart and paint full time in her artist's career as Dallas Lesley, whilst also further developing her characters of Surfdog & Artbird. Their love of travel, sun, surf and their many furred and feathered friends reflect Dallas' love of life, and these two spirited characters have grown into their own place in the contemporary art world.
Art has taken them on new adventures beyond the shores of Australia, and has brought their colourful, joyful spirit to art collectors around the world. Surfdog and Artbird continue to inspire and delight, capturing the essence of freedom, creativity, and the boundless possibilities that life and art can offer.
The Collection
Surf's Up - Manly
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Sunrise Surf
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Let's Go Surfing - Little Cove
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Sunset Surf - Coogee
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Surf Trip
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Holidays with Friends
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Surf School
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Boardwalking
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Surf's Up - Bondi
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Sunrise Swim
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Surf's Up at the Pass
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Gone Fishing
420gsm Satin Canvas
Prints from A$599
Artist's Statement
Surfdog and Artbird's interests are in "man's best friends", beach culture and their passion for the coastal life. They use dogs and animals to symbolise the people they characterise in their artworks, and paint them coming together to enjoy fun and adventures in the great outdoors.
Paintings start with sketches when they are out engaged in nature or travelling, and then fleshed out in the studio with a loose and thick impasto style. Their art is quirky and brings a smile to everyone's face, and their funky interpretations are of everything from holidays with friends to meeting the locals at favourite surf spots.
Surfdog and Artbird have become gallery and collectors' favourites, with a gallery director's comment on these works "The enormous energy, gaiety and presence that the artist exudes is also encapsulated in these works. Well-travelled and with a probing interest in local cultures and people, the bold background and quirky characters is a reflection of her light and playful nature."
