Gary Bunt: the joy of simple pleasures

~ jama
“Life is But a Dream” by Gary Bunt.

Today, a little sampler of quintessential British charm with paintings + poems by beloved artist Gary Bunt.

You may remember my featuring his work a couple of years ago, when I mentioned that he usually includes a short poem on the back of his paintings. His ‘old man with dog’ pictures have made his work instantly recognizable and highly accessible.

His scenes of country life are comforting and reassuring, just what the doctor ordered in these troubling times. There’s just something so endearing about hearing the little dog’s point of view. 

See if these pictures + short poems — by the sea, on the farm, and in the garden — don’t tug at your heartstrings. All were created in 2021-2022.

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THE SEA WALL

Down by the beach
By the sea wall
Across the sea
The east wind whips
But I don’t care
I am just happy to share
My Master’s fish and chips

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DOGGY PADDLE

I’m having a paddle
With my Master
But it’s hard to concentrate
I’m trying to be good
Like I know that I should
But there are biscuits over
There on that plate

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THE HOUSE UPON THE DOWNS

In the studio the artist paints
The authors write their books
The potter at the potter's wheel
In the kitchen the housekeeper cooks.
Amongst the cauliflowers
Hollyhocks the purple thistle crowns
The gardener is busy hoeing
At this house upon the downs

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CHEESE & HAM

It’s been busy this morning
Down on the farm,
So he’s having his lunch on a bale in the barn,
I’m trying to look as sad as I can,
Then I might get a bit of his cheese and ham

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3 PIGS

My Master has been to the market
He bought himself 3 pigs
A little one A medium one
And one that’s very big

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A COW

We’ve been to the barn
To milk the cow
But it didn’t go as planned
The cow was not very happy
My Master had cold hands

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THE SUNFLOWER

The gardener planted a sunflower seed
Now his work is done.
Everyday he watered it
And God gave him the sun

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THE OLD DOG

As the evening draws in
Church bells ring.
Time to put his tools away
Watched by his dog,
The old man thanked God
For another beautiful day

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♥️ Visit Gary Bunt’s Official Website to see more of his work, including his sculptures, short animations, and paintings featuring other subjects. At this time, he sells only originals (oil on canvas), no prints.

♥️ Click here to read my original post on Gary Bunt, which includes lots more art, a few more poems, and interesting details about his life and work.

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The lovely and talented Buffy Silverman is hosting the Roundup this week. Be sure to drop by her blog to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being served up around the blogosphere. Have a good weekend!

*Copyright © 2023 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

15 thoughts on “Gary Bunt: the joy of simple pleasures”

  1. Yep, my heartstrings were duly tugged, Jama. Bunt’s painting and words have such an accessible tenderness. And his wee dog’s markings look just like my Smidgey! His poem, “Cheese & Ham” could have been written by her…”I’m trying to look as sad as I can…” she does this trick all the time! 🙂

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  2. Thank you for this poetic blog. I think it is adorable that Gary includes a poem for each of his paintings. I especially like the one about the cow. Cold hands, brr!!!

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  3. “And God gave him the sun.” Each of these offerings is a small sun…such a lovely expression of companionship and the love we share with our pets. Thanks for bringing Gary back to us, Jama! xo

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  7. Oh, I remember his work from before. I am inspired, Jama. And I love that very patient dog recording his own thoughts! Thanks for the reminder!

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  8. I had never seen or heard of Gary Bunt and now am completely enamored! He had me at dog and master! Thank you, Jama. I’m off to gaze longingly at his original work.

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  11. Bunt’s work is utterly charming and bewitching. I could spend hours in the company of his paintings. I somehow missed your first post about him (I do remember that in Feb. 2021 I was getting my parents moved back into their home after their months of recovering from Covid in the hospital/nursing home, so, gee, that may be the reason! 🙂 Okay, cutting myself some slack. :)) At any rate, I’m so glad to know Gary Bunt now. What a treasure!

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  15. Oh, Jama, you made my morning with this lovely array of Gary Bunt artwork and poems. They are all delightful but the ones that I especially like are Doggy Paddle, The Sunflower, and Cheese and Ham. “Life is But a Dream” at your blog today!

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