Own the Parched March PUP-UP!

For the very first time, some unique artworks specially created for Parched March have made their own tour of Sydney bars - and now YOU can own them! 

ED'S NOTE: AUCTION IS NOW CLOSED

You might have spotted them while sipping a Cointreau Poodle or Disaronno Sour in one of our Parched March participating bars; four one-off dog statuettes and a spectacularly painted surfboard - all designed by celebrity artists.

These works are our Parched March PUP-UP and appeared throughout the month in bars including Gazebo Wine Garden, Li'l Darlin, NameThisBar, Kaya, O Bar and Dining, Cohibar and Bondi Social.

The PUP-UP was specially created for us by artist Tanya Dobble, celebrity gardening expert Jamie Durie and Mambo artists, and has been a major hit with everyone who's encountered them while enjoying Sydney's brilliant bars.

Just like the animals helped by our partner charity, Animal Welfare League NSW, these artworks need a permanent home. So we're auctioning them, and of course all the proceeds go to AWL NSW.

Mambo artists Lee McConnell and Ben Brown with their work

Imagine displaying one of these beautiful pieces at home or work as a permanent reminder of your generosity and of the bonds we share with our animal friends. There's one for every taste, from Jamie Durie's Bodhi, with her rusty finish and little flower pot, to cheeky Neil, a colourful and very well-embellished Farting Dog from our mates at Mambo. Modogliani the greyhound is an elegant tribute to rescue dogs, symbolizing the Parched March cause. And if you love the ocean and animals, how could you go past the spectacular surfboard Vincent Van Hump, painted by Mambo artist Ben Brown as a tribute to his labrador?

The works are now available for sale with a final auction at our wrap party this Wednesday 3 April. You can bid on this page, using the comments section at the bottom of this story. Simply post your bid there, or any questions you have about the works. The highest bid for each work in this pre-auction wins a ticket to the wrap party to bid in the live auction.

Meet the PUP-UP:

Vincent van Hump by Ben Brown

Bodhi by Jamie Durie and Modogliani by Tanya Dobble

Neil by Lee McConnell

Snoop Doggy Rod by Julie Hong

Vincent Van Hump, by Ben Brown, Mambo

This highbrow, culture-defining piece of work is devoted to all those faithful companions who show undying love and dedication to their masters - as only they know how. It is based on the true-life relationship I share with my white labrador - he is always happy and overly affectionate.
He originally came to us as a guide dog puppy and we raised him to the age and standard where he was sent off to guide dog school. Alas, he didn't quite make the grade, his career was curtailed and luckily for all involved, he came back home.
Now every day is a holiday. He is very happy. A true 'dog of love.' 
The styles used in this drawing are those of Richard Allen, the iconic designer who created the Mambo dog motif, and Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth, another personal favourite.


                                                                                 - Ben Brown, artist
Vincent Van Hump's reserve price is $900


BODHI, created by Tanya Dobble, design by Jamie Durie

Bodhi is a Rhodesian ridgeback, inspired by and named after TV garden design guru and Parched March ambassador Jamie Durie's own beloved ridgeback.

A collaboration with Jamie evolved into an outside garden concept after it was decided we all liked this dog's base wire sculpture to be left as it was, rather than apply any covering. The rust application gave our Bodhi the beautiful rust colour reflective of the real Bodhi’s coat, and her love of the outdoors is shown through her little growing pot. She even has her own JD dog tag. 

                                                                             - Tanya Dobble, artist

Bodhi's reserve price is $300

Modogliani, by Tanya Dobble


Modogliani is a dedication to all the rescued greys particularly the ex racers, his ear tattoos a testament to his former life. As his wire form took shape and I began to apply the papier mache, Patch and Sox my own rescue greys, started to investigate and with their innate curiosity tried to gauge if he was a friendly new member of our pack. Male greys often take on the nurturing role. 
His elongated, simplified form reminded me of Modigliani's work and so his sculptured face evolved. His pose is typical of my greys, dignified and regal, but always eager to know what's going on and not to miss out on anything.
He is now wearing a happy coat ready to be adopted into a loving household and be treated with the affection and respect he deserves.
                                                                             -Tanya Dobble, artist
Modogliani's reserve price is $250


Neil, constructed by Tanya Dobble, decorated by Lee McConnell, Mambo


Neil is a special breed of Farting Dog called 'The Holiday Dog,' found mostly along the coast of Far North Queensland and well-known for their tasteful choice in loud shirt and orchestral fart.  Neil has not been able to find a mate since he was photographed mounting his owner’s leg and having said photograph turned into a Mambo t-shirt, ruining Neil's reputation among the female 'Holiday Dog' population of his hometown, Port Douglas. Confused but still aroused, he made his way to Sydney where he is on the lookout for a caring owner looking to spice up their home. Neil is also aiming to raise a tonne of cash for other dogs in his situation, who hopefully will find their way to Animal Welfare League NSW.”   

                                                                            - Lee McConnell, artist

Neil's reserve price is $250

Snoop Doggy Rod

Made by Tanya Dobble, decorated by Julie Hong, Mambo

Blue Heeler/Box-Nose Griffon Vendeen (grand), cross

Rod is not just a much loved member of the Mambo family but also an enthusiastic retriever of sticks, golf balls and on occasion, ‘longnecks’ accidently dropped off the studio veranda. For most of the past 28 years, Rod’s coat has remained a luminescent white with only a rain-soaked music festival or a night spent under a bush sleeping off a hangover causing temporary damage to his gorgeous hair suit. That was until recently.

While visiting a shed out back of the studio (a storage facility for flammable solvents, print samples, financial statements and spare parts for the hot tub) Rod discovered that the power was out and so struck a match to illuminate the darkened interior. The flame caused an explosion that rattled the teeth of pensioners playing bingo in a bowling club across the Harbour. When Rod was eventually found - in a back yard, two suburbs away, he was barely conscious and covered in a heat fused ‘catalog’ of recent Mambo prints. After regaining consciousness Rod decided that he liked his new coat so much that he has decided to keep it. In addition to attracting the attention of local canine females the prints have an AVU rating of +45, giving Rod extra protection from the sun’s harmful rays.  

                                                                                           -  The Mambo Gang

Snoop Doggy Rod's reserve price is $100

Meet the Parched March Dogmother

Kimberly Wong goes behind the scenes with artist Tanya Dobble, creator of our Parched March PUP-UP dogs

This year, Parched March boasts a new, fun phenomenon: the PUP-UP. Around our participating bars you'll encounter four extraordinary canines. Their creator is Tanya Dobble, the dog-loving, greyhound-owning artist.

We met at Tanya's house in Sydney's west, where she was busy constructing the dog figures who later became Bodhi (designed by Jamie Durie), Neil (decorated by Mambo artist Lee McConnell), Snoop Doggy Rod (decorated by Mambo artist Julie Hong) and Modogliani, built and painted by Tanya.

Among Tanya's eclectic mix of Turkish rugs and modern pieces were the skeletons of the four faux canines - as well as two very real dogs: Tanya's rescue greyhounds, Patch and Sox. 

"Patch and Sox are inseparable brothers," said Tanya. "I remember the first time I saw them, when I picked them up from the airport. The way they looked at me was as if they were saying: 'Thanks for picking me.'" 

"That’s the best part about adopting rescue dogs. It’s almost like they know you’re giving them a second chance."

Tall, loping creatures with the grace of dancers, the two ex-racer Greyhounds immediately stole the hearts of the Dobble family.

"Animal welfare is a cause close to my heart, having adopted these two," said Tanya. "They were patiently waiting in foster care when I discovered them through the Friends of the Hound website."

The life-long dog-lover, who brings the ideal combination of artistic talent and devotion to animals to the Parched March PUP-UP, adopted the greys when they were four years old. Although very much retired, they have retained some of their racing habits.

"Patch refuses to walk up and down stairs," said Tanya. "And if they don’t want to do something, they’ll stay in the statue stance."

Speaking of statues, Patch and Sox have become rather fond of Modogliani, the greyhound PUP-UP inspired by Tanya's love of the breed. 

Modogliani in progress

Sox checks out Modogliani 

"Sox was enamoured with Modogliani," she said. "He saw me put him on the floor and bolted over to say hello, and was kissing and sniffing him. He did the same when I brought my babies home from hospital - such an earth mother! I'm going to have to make another one now to keep Sox company!"

Nearby, we discovered one of the Mambo pups, based on their famous Farting dog logo, ready to have his outer coat applied. This dog's secret was on display for the last time; beneath the wire and bamboo, Tanya has channelled the Wizard of Oz and popped a red heart in his ribcage. (If you rock the finished Snoop Doggy Rod gently, you can hear his heart beating.)

‘I can almost hear the barks!" laughed Tanya. "From drawing to 3D, I feel these dogs getting personalities as they take shape. There’s a different feeling for each one. There’s a lot of attitude in the Mambo dogs."

Snoop Doggy Rod and his beating heart Photo: Nikki To

Tanya’s passion lies in all things design, decoration and illustration. With a background in interior design and fashion and textile design, she manages her own design studio, Tanya Dobble, which focusses on sustainable Interior Design.

In between teaching Interior Design and VM Illustration at the Design Centre, Enmore, and Sydney Institute, Ultimo, running her  studio, managing three kids and two pups, Tanya is still able to devote her time to our great cause (and enjoy the occasional Mojito, too). 

"I love taking my designs on paper and translating them into 3D. It’s what I do," she said. "And I couldn't pass up the chance to create the model dogs for a good cause." 

We thank Tanya sincerely for lending her talents to Parched March 2013.