Bella and the Bug

Louise Peterson, born in 1962 in Darlington, England, developed her love and understanding of the human form during her early career as a ballerina and then as a massage therapist. After studying clay modeling at Santa Monica College, she moved to the rural mountains of Colorado in 1998. Not having a human model in her studio to work from, she turned to her Great Dane. The result? Fine classical renderings of dogs that are often both humorous and elegant. She works from her ranch studio near Guffey, Colorado, inspired by vistas of the surrounding high country. She walks dogs at the local animal shelter, plans to create a retirement home for senior Great Danes, and lives with two Great Danes, Bella and Rigel. Husband Chris and cats Adora, Ilana, and Kaz get to live there, too!

Bella and the Bug was purchased by Community Ventures and donated to the City of Colorado Springs.