- Every breed of dog has its own special traits.
- Artist Grace Gogarty creates "intentionally unpolished" illustrations to depict the personality types of different breeds, and the results are hilarious and charming.
- From identifying a husky as a "distinguished vocalist" to a pug as a "functioning mess," Gogarty reminds us what it is we love about our quirky pets.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
Whether or not you're a dog lover, you've probably noticed that each breed has its own personality and quirks.
Through her playful illustrations, Grace Gogarty, who goes by the name Little Tunny on Instagram and Tumblr, explores the distinct characters that comprise the canine kingdom — from socially anxious Bernese mountain dogs to attention-grabbing golden retrievers. Insider spoke to her about her illustrations in 2018.
Keep reading to see examples of Gogarty's hilarious cartoons and learn more about her creative process.
A self-taught artist, Grace Gogarty began drawing seriously when she was 9 years old.
As with many budding artists, her first foray into illustration was through Microsoft Paint.
"My illustration style arose organically, taking art I loved apart and rebuilding it," Gogarty told Insider.
"I really spent a lot of time trying to draw realistically and studying life before I realized I'd rather just break the rules on purpose," said Gogarty.
Gogarty describes her style as intentionally unpolished.
"I think things that are 'wrong' and unpolished are a bit more interesting, personable, and fun," she said. "I'm a messy person and I try to reflect that in my cartoons."
Gogarty says she likes drawing animals because of how emotionally honest they are.
"I like their honest emotions and how different they are from me, while still having way more in common than I'd care to admit," said Gogarty.
Gogarty was introduced to a variety of dog breeds while working as a supervisor at a doggy daycare.
That's when she got the idea to illustrate descriptions of each breed's characteristics.
Gogarty's art reiterates some canine stereotypes — and dispels others.
She says she enjoys drawing all breeds.
From long-faced borzois to the squished-up snouts of bulldogs, the diversity of each breed makes drawing dogs "a unique challenge."
Gogarty is a life-long vegetarian whose first word was "dog."
But whenever she thinks of drawing a dog, the first breed that pops in her head is the yellow Lab.
She says she loves the happy look of yellow Labs.
"I also love any dog with a bit of chub and some good neck folds," she said.
Gogarty's drawings are both hilarious and charming.
Above all, Gogarty says her art is about having fun.
"I've found the idea matters more than the material," she said.
She uses inexpensive materials such as printer paper and watercolors.
She buys them from dollar stores.
"I’ve had a lot of people tell me my art is ugly in a charming way, and that’s great because that’s how I see life," she said.
"I love giving attention to the beauty in ugliness."
Gogarty's illustrations capture canines big and small, from the husky ...
... to the Yorkshire terrier.
Gogarty adopted her own dog, Huey, from a shelter.
"I adopted him [from] a shelter when he was a pup and have no clue what breed he is," she said. "I also have a three-legged cat and a tarantula, although I'm too scared to hold it."
- Read more:
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- 16 before and after photos of adopted dogs that will make you melt
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