Artist Biography
Bulldogs and Bulldog people have been an important part of my life since I was a young child.. My first Bulldog, “Duke,” was a birthday present from my parents shortly following my father’s return from active navy service in World War II. I suspect he always dreamed of owning a Bulldog. Duke and I became familiar sights in local Boston pet shows, and we usually walked off with top honors. Unlike today with the breed’s increased popularity, Bulldogs in those days were quite a novelty. My parents subsequently did a small amount of breeding and showing, and my first AKC dog show was sponsored by The Eastern Dog Club at Mechanics’ Building in Boston. It was here, coincidentally, where “on April l, 1890, a group of dedicated Bulldoggers assembled together to establish what we now know as The Bulldog Club of America.”
Shortly after our marriage, Jim and I purchased our first Bulldog, and when Chumley went Best in Match at a Bulldog Club of New England match show, I was completely and irrevocably hooked. I became an active member of the New England club and served for many years as President, as well as chairman of numerous committees and member of just about every conceivable committee known to the dog show world. In the l980’s I became co-editor of the Division I Newsletter and later served on the Advisory Board of The Bulldogger, official publication of the Bulldog Club of America. Many of my articles, relating primarily to the Standard, have appeared in this outstanding publication. In the mid 90’s I introduced the idea for an Illustrated Guide to the Standard which has since been successfully implemented. Under the Satuit prefix, my tiny kennel flourished, and I was inducted into The Bulldog Club of America’s Breeders’ Hall of Fame.
Although largely self-taught, I attended classes as the Boston Museum of Fine Art and Vesper George School of Art. In the l950’s I became a staff artist at Rust Craft, one of the country’s leading publishers of greeting cards. I have since free-lanced for numerous well known greeting companies here and in England. My early Bulldog drawings were primarily offered for trophies and fundraisers for The Bulldog Club of New England., including a calendar featuring sepia-toned head studies of top-winning champions. Many of my paintings are included in the very prestigious Bulldog Club of America National Gallery.
I still treasure my memories of “Duke” and the numerous other Bulldogs and Bulldog people who have been such important parts of my life. To this day, Bulldoggers are among my closest and dearest friends. The house where I live near the sea close to my children and grandchildren is, once more coincidentally, on land once owned by early 20th century Bulldog breeder-exhibitor, Thomas Lawson, whose renowned Dreamwold kennels housed many of the top-winning American and English champions of his day. It seems only fitting.
Thank you so much for visiting my website. By the way, in case you were wondering, “Seawyx” in mythology refers to an Irish water fairy. This too seems only fitting.
With warm regards,
Betty Davey
Shortly after our marriage, Jim and I purchased our first Bulldog, and when Chumley went Best in Match at a Bulldog Club of New England match show, I was completely and irrevocably hooked. I became an active member of the New England club and served for many years as President, as well as chairman of numerous committees and member of just about every conceivable committee known to the dog show world. In the l980’s I became co-editor of the Division I Newsletter and later served on the Advisory Board of The Bulldogger, official publication of the Bulldog Club of America. Many of my articles, relating primarily to the Standard, have appeared in this outstanding publication. In the mid 90’s I introduced the idea for an Illustrated Guide to the Standard which has since been successfully implemented. Under the Satuit prefix, my tiny kennel flourished, and I was inducted into The Bulldog Club of America’s Breeders’ Hall of Fame.
Although largely self-taught, I attended classes as the Boston Museum of Fine Art and Vesper George School of Art. In the l950’s I became a staff artist at Rust Craft, one of the country’s leading publishers of greeting cards. I have since free-lanced for numerous well known greeting companies here and in England. My early Bulldog drawings were primarily offered for trophies and fundraisers for The Bulldog Club of New England., including a calendar featuring sepia-toned head studies of top-winning champions. Many of my paintings are included in the very prestigious Bulldog Club of America National Gallery.
I still treasure my memories of “Duke” and the numerous other Bulldogs and Bulldog people who have been such important parts of my life. To this day, Bulldoggers are among my closest and dearest friends. The house where I live near the sea close to my children and grandchildren is, once more coincidentally, on land once owned by early 20th century Bulldog breeder-exhibitor, Thomas Lawson, whose renowned Dreamwold kennels housed many of the top-winning American and English champions of his day. It seems only fitting.
Thank you so much for visiting my website. By the way, in case you were wondering, “Seawyx” in mythology refers to an Irish water fairy. This too seems only fitting.
With warm regards,
Betty Davey
