Loving Witness

As a former clinical psychologist, I often felt my role was to simply witness—standing beside others through their stories, honoring their experiences, and believing in their healing. In 2017, I began the “Loving Witness” series in response to children being separated from their families at the border. I wanted to bear witness to their pain, to surround them in love, and to ensure they were not forgotten.

This dog is part of that series. Our dogs are often our most loyal witnesses—loving us unconditionally, standing by us through every chapter, and reminding us of our better angels. Loving Witness is a celebration of that love—quiet, present, and powerful. May this dog remind you that you are seen, loved, and watched over with gentle wisdom.

About the artist, Patricia Qualls:

Born in Manchester, Tennessee, Patricia Qualls moved to Carmel in 1980 after a varied career that included farming, finance, and clinical psychology. An intuitive painting class led her to a full-time art practice in 2008. Known for her expressive, layered abstractions, Qualls paints daily in her Carmel Valley studio and is represented in collections across the U.S. and internationally, including the George Blair permanent collection at the Crocker Art Museum.

More at patriciaqualls.com.