Designer Dogs

My seriously peak office decor.

Designer Dogs, 2026

This project came together spontaneously after learning that a hydro dipping workshop was being hosted at Columbus State University by artist Cooper Holoweski, who opened the session to students and faculty alike.

During class I ran a quick Adobe Illustrator demo for my students on how to create seamless repeat patterns. To make it memorable, I chose to recreate one of the most recognizable repeat patterns in the world: the Louis Vuitton monogram. It looks deceptively simple at first glance, but it is a complex and delightfully balanced design and in pop culture, it has become one of the most loaded symbols of luxury and status there is.

My student Rigby pictured with the perfect dip on the very first attempt!

When I heard about the hydro dipping demo, I was immediately inspired to do something completely ridiculous with it. The hotdog and other processed meats more broadly, are a long-running theme in my work, and I could think of few things funnier than applying this symbol of luxury to a hotdog in the same hydro dipping technique that is usually associated with the burly outdoorsmen men of the South who use it to customize their gun stocks and pickup trucks.

I modeled and 3D printed a series of 18 full-size hotdog beads for the occasion using Polymaker Panchroma PLA filament in pink. We printed the hydro film in my classroom, and together with my students applied the Louis Vuitton monogram to each one as a group demo.

The finished hotdogs were strung on pink macramé cord with hand-tied knots between each bead to space and secure them completing the piece as a fully linked chain of luxury glizzies.

Designer Dogs is equal parts absurdity and commentary on the nature of luxury goods.

I want to thank Cooper and my graphic design class for humoring me and collaborating on this project. It is easily one of my favorite memories from this year at Columbus State University. As a small thank you, I made a series of prints featuring the Designer Dogs to give to each student in appreciation of their contribution.

Thank you as well to Prof. Julianna Wells Cowsert for allowing me to crash the demo with my students, and to Columbus State University for bringing Cooper and his exhibition BOGO Mysticism to the CSU Department of Art.

Designer Dogs, Christie Cannon, 2026

Mural: The Children's Tree House at Twin Cedars of Columbus

Greetings!

I decided to begin blogging again and I discovered this blog post that I never published.

This piece is one of my favorite comissions. I completed this mural for The Children's Tree House Child Advocacy Center. I recorded the process and have an installation video that covers the inspiration for the project a bit of info on Twin Cedars and The Children's Tree House and the crucial work they do in the community.

It was such an honor and privilege to work on this project and I would like to start by saying thank you to the West Georgia Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia for commissioning and donating this mural. I am so grateful to contribute in this small way to the incredible work everyone involved here does to serve the children of our community!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMD_JmBJwE0

The Children’s Tree House serves child victims and witnesses and facilitates investigative, prosecuting, social services, medical, and mental health services. Additionally, trauma focused counseling is provided for all victims and/or non-offending caregivers. All of these crucial services are provided at no cost to the victim and their families in a child friendly environment.

If you would like to know more about The Children’s Tree House and how you can support them please visit their website at https://www.twincedars.org

Mobile Botanical Gardens

The Mobile Alabama Botanical Gardens is a lush, expansive garden located in Mobile, Alabama. Jon and I recently visited the garden.

As we walked through the gardens, we were surrounded by a diverse collection of flora, a small bog garden, a magnolia grove, a longleaf pine forest, a Japanese maple garden, and the most expansive collection of azaleas I have ever seen.

One of the highlights of our visit was the crimson bottle brush bush, which was full of hundreds of bees. It was amazing to see so many different types of bees together.

We also enjoyed learning about the history of the garden, which dates back to the 1970s when the once-private garden was donated to the city of Mobile. Since then, the garden has grown into a beloved landmark and cultural attraction for locals and visitors alike.

During our visit, we were lucky enough to attend their weekend plant sale. It was an exciting opportunity for us to purchase some unique plants and take a little piece of the garden home with us. I finally found a plant that had been on my wish list for years - a "big leaf magnolia tree". I was thrilled to finally be able to add it to my own garden. I also picked up an interesting hosta plant for my mom, and some heirloom tomato plants for my dad's garden.

Overall, our visit to the Mobile Alabama Botanical Gardens was a delightful experience that we would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Alabama and explore the incredible diversity of flora and fauna that the garden has to offer.