The Newsmagazine of Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County

By Victoria Ford | on August 11, 2022

WELCOME TO THE CLUB: Last week at the dog park, Ferguson’s latest portrait was unveiled. The new addition to the gallery depicts two Barnegat Light Councildogs, Emmie and Reilly. (Supplied Photo)

On the fencing that encircles the Barnegat Light Dog Park are “ruffly” 16 commissioned pet portraits on 4-by-4-foot wooden panels.

“I’ve lost count,” said Houston, Texas-based artist, illustrator and muralist Bill Ferguson, who painted all but a couple of them. (Two were done by Barnegat Light fine and graphic artist Jordan Rich.) Ferguson is originally from New Jersey, and his family has always had a vacation home in Barnegat Light.

“Our tradition is to go the beach and have a nice summer,” he said. The Island is “such a part of me.”

His latest pet portrait, commissioned by Barnegat Light Councilwoman Mary Ellen Foley to immortalize two West Highland White Terriers, Emmie and Reilly, was unveiled Thursday, Aug. 4 at a “Yappy Hour” event held at the park, located on 10th Street. Attendees reported goodies, lemonade, extra shade for hot dogs and humans. In attendance were about 20 local residents and officials and 10 dogs.

MAN AT WORK: Artist Bill Ferguson painted Foley’s pet portrait in one day. (Source: Instagram)

The pet portrait project at the dog park was conceived about 10 years ago by Cricket Luker, proprietor of Wildflowers by the Lighthouse boutique and Wildflowers Too! gallery.

“I owe it all to Cricket,” Ferguson said, calling it kismet that their paths crossed. “She’s become a voice of Barnegat Light, and she really cares about the community.”

As Ferguson recalled, his aunt had heard Luker was looking for an artist, so she volunteered him for the job – “Billy can do it.”

Luker is passionate about many things, but public art and animal welfare are two of the biggies. Driven to get art out into the community, she took her idea to the borough and got Ferguson on board: A patron sponsors/commissions a portrait for $500, which covers supplies and gets divided between the artist and the Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter. The project ultimately brings awareness to the causes of supporting local artists and helping animals in need.

Luker said Ferguson is underappreciated as a painter. His artistic voice, like that of so many other artists she gathers and represents in her galleries, is one she wants to elevate and amplify.

“This was the project we created,” Luker said, “but I would like to see him do murals.”

SCARY GOOD: Bill Ferguson is also a mural artist. Last year he did one at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. (Source: Facebook)

In his work as a freelance artist, Ferguson illustrates children’s book covers – recently, Susan McCauley’s Ghost Hunters: Bones in the Wall and Swamp Witch. He has also done large-scale murals, including one at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

For the dog park paintings, he uses exterior paint and brushes provided by Wildflowers.

“I love that you really have to slap paint on there,” he said, given he has a short time in which to complete the pet portraits while he’s visiting from Texas. Foley’s was painted in one day.

The time crunch makes the portraits more expressive, lending a certain vitality as Ferguson utilizes the textures of thickly applied exterior paint on the wood substrate to achieve the effect of fur. In the moment, in the zone, he is free to act on creative impulse.

However, he explained, while about 40% of the process is “fun, energetic brush work,” the rest is about getting it right. Ferguson’s mother is his go-to for honest feedback; she’ll critique the proportions or expression.

PATRONS SOUGHT: Call the gallery to sponsor a commission. (Image source: Instagram reel @wildflowerstoolbi)

The eyes are most important, he said, because that’s the part the client connects with most. He waits for the all-important moment of recognition, when they say, “That’s my pup.”

As with many other artists, Ferguson’s artistic talent was apparent from an early age.

“I have Asperger’s (syndrome), so I don’t know if that has something to do with it,” he said. He graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida in 2006. His siblings are also in creative fields, as a theater actor and architect.

To inquire about commissioning a pet portrait to add to the outdoor gallery, call Wildflowers Too! at 609-361-1101.

“Our goal is to fill the dog park,” Luker said.

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