October 12, 2026

The Little Things

An old man, his dog, and the little world of Gary Bunt.

In Gary Bunt’s paintings, an old man named Bert wanders through the English countryside with a dog. Sometimes they're out fishing, sometimes they're gardening, and sometimes they're just chilling by the sea. There are little cottages, winding paths, gardens bursting with flowers, and typical British weather.

Bert is the consistent part of the scene, but the dog isn't always the same. Bunt deliberately changed its breed and color from painting to painting, so people could picture their own dogs in his art.

Bunt grew up in Kent and worked as a builder, but he always made time for music and painting. After he was diagnosed with cancer in his 40s, he began pursuing painting more seriously. He was initially inspired by his dad, but over time he really developed his own style as an artist.

There's a whole little world to explore. Bert has his coat, scarf, braces, and a cottage with a view. He's got gardens to take care of, animals to feed, and seaside trips to enjoy. Sometimes very little seems to be happening, just simple life filled with little things.

Bunt also wrote poems to go along with his paintings, often giving the dog a voice.

There's a little humor throughout Bunt's work, and plenty of things you might recognize, like a mug of tea, a pair of Wellington boots, an old shed full of tools, or a dog waiting patiently while Bert finishes whatever he's doing.

Gary Bunt passed away in 2025, leaving behind an amazing collection of paintings and poems about Bert, his dog, and everything around them. And in that world, there are still vegetables to pick, fish to catch, and a dog who wouldn't mind another piece of toast.

Poems and paintings © Estate of Gary Bunt · garybuntart.com

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