Jouney of Discovery:
Whimsical and abstract artwork inspired by nature.
Explore BARKLESS ART
Artist's Story
Patricia O’Reilly, creator of Barkless Art, is a non-fiction writer who values escaping the vast terrain of logical words into the visceral resonance of visual art. She studied art under the tutelage of Auseklis Ozols, founder of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, in her hometown of NOLA. It was the force of too much water—Hurricane Katrina—that pushed her move from Louisiana to the Grand Canyon State twenty years ago. She enjoyed exploring the outdoors with her musician husband, J.D., on adventures across Arizona until they returned in 2026 to Louisiana with their four rescue dogs—a Basenji, Prints Comet, and three mixed-breed rez dogs: Angel Littlefoot, Sammy Strider, and Oliver Cash.
Beyond Barkless
When viewing her artwork, one may discover new details over time, much like finding hidden forms in clouds sculpted by wind. Patricia expresses emotion through playful movement that explores nature’s harmony and strife—images that are at once whimsical and serious, graphic and abstract. Sprightly, vivid insects crawl and fly, while quirky rescue dogs stride and leap into her vibrant compositions, primarily painted in opaque gouache. Whether free-flowing or precisely rendered, her pieces are always anchored in color and design.
Why Barkless?
Her first two Basenjis, Zelda Coco and Amos Moses—known for their quiet dispositions—were the inspirations for Barkless Art and Barkless Bakery. The Basenji is an ancient barkless sighthound originating from the African Congo. Recognized for their pointed ears and curled tails—traits seen in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs—Basenjis do not bark, but are instead famous for their distinct, yodel-like baroo. Patricia often remains hushed, letting her animated artworks and tasty treats speak for themselves—although she’s not afraid to howl once in a while!