Three puppies remind me to bark

On a recent visit to MOMA I was able to visit one of my favorite paintings - "Three Puppies" by Paul Gauguin.  I have always loved this painting, and for so many different reasons.
First of all - I love puppies!! and all things dog related!!! ok, and it does also match the couch....
In all seriousness, I really love the linework around the puppies, and the composition of the painting.  The application of paint is also quite amazing.   This painting feels so contemporary to me, and just so right on so many levels.
the text under the painting at MOMA reads as follows:
When Gauguin painted Still Life with Three Puppies he was living in Brittany among a group of experimental painters. He abandoned naturalistic depictions and colors, declaring that “art is an abstraction” to be derived “from nature while dreaming before it.” The puppies’ bodies, for example, are outlined in bold blue, and the patterning of their coats mirrors the botanical print of the tablecloth. It is thought that Gauguin drew stylistic inspiration for this painting from children’s-book illustrations and from Japanese prints, which were introduced to him by his friend and fellow artist Vincent van Gogh that year.

I think, reading this statement now in the year 2012, it is a far reaching thought that abandoning naturalistic depictions is anything beyond normal for artists today.  In fact it is probably rare to see an artist who does depict something naturalistic.  I kind of love that at that time, this painting was ground breaking, influenced by Japanese prints and Van Gogh.  

Imagine in art today, if there were such rules that could be broken so easily? (although I am sure at the time it was not easy)

When we think of art right now, so much has been done - materials, content, subject, style - I wonder where we go from here? 

I am trying to put myself in Gauguin's place at that time, that he made a conscious decision to follow some new influence, and not rely on old habits or patterns.  He went beyond what was expected of him, and I would guess that he painted with true integrity, hence so much of his work. 

For my art, I am hoping and praying in my non religous way that I may be able to think beyond my pattern and habit, to let something else influence me and guide me, and to create something that is completely mine and completely true.  

Now, go to your life, how many patterns and habits do we have? and how well do they serve us?  how often do you take time to examine if this habit or patter is really helping you - let alone taking you to the next level in your life - as puppies did for Gauguin?

I challenge you and me, in your life and in your art, to truly examine your norm, and ask yourself if you can let some change come in, and perhaps it is that change that will take you to the next phase in your life and in your art. 

Three Puppies by Paul Gauguin