Toby the Black Dog, Marvin's 1984 Painted Relief Carving cyanotype photos But the crossing of the

But the crossing of the two blooms and intertwining of their delicately painted stems and leaves also makes it feel like a love token--a happy wedding of two two different sorts

looking a bit forlorn perhaps

and there is surely some softening to the tip of the beak

I believe they were/are practice efforts in advance of making theorem paintings or decorating tinware (tole painting) and incorporate a combination of painting done with stencils and by hand

with these bared fangs open at us

Toby the Black Dog, Marvin's 1984 Painted Relief Carving cyanotype photos But the crossing of theHandwritten at the very center of the back of the wood panel from which this sweet black dog was carved is TOBY and what a dear and loyal friend Toby must have been. No words necessary to explain the appeal of this one, just a charmer of a painted folk art relief carving and completely winning companion. 11 3 4" t (not including hook) x 5 1 2" wide. Excellent vintage condition. Signed Marvin plus initialed MPF and dated 1984 on reverse.