The Story of the "A Golden Retriever at the Museum" Series

 Pittsburgh artist Tom Mosser never anticipated that a simple painting he created in 2012, featuring his golden retriever Lucas gazing at a large tennis ball, would profoundly change his life.

As a full-time artist based in Pittsburgh, Mosser reflects on how it all began. At the time, he was working on his “Museum Series,” which aimed to capture the thoughts and emotions of art museum visitors. “The goal was to explore what goes through someone’s mind when they view a piece of art. I depict the subjects from behind as they observe a painting, inviting viewers to imagine the emotions of their unseen faces. It’s all about juxtaposition and storytelling,” he explains.

On a cold December afternoon in 2012, seeking a break from a tedious commission, Mosser looked at Lucas, who was sprawled on the floor. “It was a gloomy day, and I was stuck on a boring car painting. I wondered, what would a dog be excited to see in a museum painting?”

He considered options: a stick, a squirrel, a frisbee... then it hit him—tennis balls.

Recognizing the idea's potential, Mosser quickly set up his camera, using treats to position Lucas for the perfect shot. After capturing the ideal reference photo on his second try, he sketched the 30” x 40” canvas and completed the painting within a week. In March 2013, it went viral after being featured on a New York art gallery's website and showcased at the New York Art Expo.

Mosser recalls, “My phone and social media blew up with messages. I got a text from my cousin in Los Angeles saying, ‘Dude, your painting is all over Facebook!’ The buzz was incredible.”

The image of the painting spread rapidly, drawing attention from local media, and soon, Tom's high-quality prints, initially priced at $495, sold out in just five weeks. He and his publisher donated $10,000 to the Pittsburgh Human Rescue. “I was stunned. I was making money, but it was so much fun too,” he says.

The painting also caught the eye of the tennis community, landing on the cover of USTA’s NetPlay Magazine in 2014, and earning Mosser the 2016 Tennis Industry Initiative Award. “A Golden Retriever at the Museum” was later exhibited at New York’s AKC Museum of the Dog in February 2020.

Throughout, Mosser has generously donated prints to various fundraising events. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he witnessed cars lined up for hours at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and felt compelled to act. He auctioned two artist-proof prints on Facebook, raising $8,100. “I stopped counting funds raised in 2020, but it’s well over $40,000 now. I love donating prints to fundraisers,” he shares.

Since then, he has expanded the series to include other breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Doodles, with new paintings celebrating French Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, and Boston Terriers nearly finished.

His connection to the golden retriever community continues to deepen. In December 2022, he was invited to create a piece honoring Spencer, the iconic golden retriever known for proudly carrying a Boston Strong flag during the 2018 Boston Marathon. Mosser spoke at the unveiling of his 5-foot tall painting, “Celebrating Spencer,” on January 4, 2022.

In February 2023, he traveled to Atlanta as the keynote speaker for the Happy Tails Pet Therapy organization, where he again donated prints.

Fast forward nearly 12 years, and Lucas's image remains prevalent online. A post by the Facebook art promotion page “EYE” on July 3, 2024, garnered 50,000 likes and 8,300 shares. From July 18, an 18” x 24” print of the painting appeared behind host Tony Kornheiser on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption, marking its third feature on the show. “Each time Tony displays it, my inbox fills with photos from viewers across the country. It’s just so cool,” he says.

Thanks to social media and features like these, Mosser’s work continues to thrive. In the past ten days, he has sold prints to dog lovers from countries including Poland, Scotland, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, England, South Africa, and the Philippines.

For Mosser, the key to his success lies in the personal touch he offers. He often requests photos of customers' dogs. “I love seeing the faces of the dogs that the prints celebrate. Many emails share emotional stories about pets that have passed. To honor their memories, I offer to custom paint their dog’s collar for free, transforming the print into a cherished tribute.”

Sadly, Lucas passed away in Tom's arms on a snowy night in March 2022, after battling a lung tumor. “It was heartbreaking but also beautiful... he loved the snow,” Tom reflects.

Now, his new muse is Franco, an eight-month-old golden retriever, who will be featured in an upcoming piece, “Cream Golden Retriever at the Museum.”

“I am surrounded by Lucas every day, with prints adorning my studio walls,” Mosser concludes. “As artists, we strive for themes that resonate emotionally with others. It’s gratifying that this series, inspired by my beloved Lucas, continues to bring joy.”

To explore Tom Mosser’s “Museum Series” and mo