Whimsical Dog and Swimmers

Some friendships are so particular, so entirely their own logic, that no explanation is required — or possible. Whimsical Dog and Swimmers by Sharyn Bursic presents one such friendship with a warmth and wit and compositional confidence that makes the whole arrangement feel not only natural, but inevitable.

Two women stand waist-deep in a vivid blue sea, their arms raised overhead in mirror image, their pink-fingered hands supporting between them a very cheerful, very elongated dachshund in a green and white striped swimsuit. The dog is entirely at ease. His golden-tan form stretches horizontally above the women’s heads, his long nose pointing left, his tail curved right, four small legs planted confidently on the palms below him. He is, in all probability, the happiest dachshund in the world. The two women hold him aloft with the focused calm of experienced swimmers or synchronised performers — their arms crossed in an X that forms the structural heart of the composition, their faces directed forward with the composed, slightly otherworldly expressions that are Sharyn Bursic’s signature. The woman on the left has short auburn hair and wears a green bikini top; the one on the right has deep red hair and wears an olive swimsuit. Both are flushed at the cheeks, both are completely committed to the task. Behind them, a deep, velvety black night sky and the dark ripples of the sea create a stage from which the figures and the dog emerge with extraordinary vividness.

Sharyn Bursic has always worked with great seriousness on thoroughly joyful subjects, and Whimsical Dog and Swimmers is one of her most perfectly realised compositions. The structural elegance of the crossed arms, the graphic boldness of the black background, the warm golden dog suspended above the blue water and the dark sky — these elements are arranged with real painterly intelligence. The image is funny and beautiful and quietly moving all at once, and it captures something true about the best kinds of friendship: the kind where you hold each other up, even when — especially when — what you are holding between you is a dachshund in a striped swimsuit.

The colour palette is one of dramatic warmth. The deep black of the night sky fills the upper half of the composition with a richness against which the golden dog, the women’s pale skin and vivid hair, and the green of their swimwear glow with particular luminosity. Below, the vivid blue of the sea adds freshness and movement, its brightness a perfect counterpoint to the depth of the background. Together these colours create a composition that is both bold and warm — graphic enough to command a wall, and human enough to make you smile every time you see it.

Whimsical Dog and Swimmers works beautifully in a living room, where its combination of visual confidence and genuine wit makes it the piece in the room that everyone talks about. In a bedroom, the warmth of the figures and the gentle absurdity of the scene make it a wonderfully cheerful presence. In a bathroom or hallway, the blue of the sea adds freshness and colour. It is also, naturally, a perfect gift for anyone who loves dogs — or swimming — or the particular kind of friendship that involves both simultaneously. Sharyn Bursic’s palette pairs beautifully with deep navy and forest green, warm wood, natural linen, and any interior that embraces both warmth and playfulness.

Each print is produced on premium matte paper, which captures the full depth and painterly richness of Sharyn Bursic’s surface. The black of the background is deep and velvety, the golden dog glows with warmth, and the vivid blue of the sea is rendered with all its brightness and movement. The non-reflective finish gives the print a quality that is genuinely special — art that looks as good up close as it does from across the room.

Whimsical Dog and Swimmers is available in six sizes: A4, 30x40, 40x50, 50x70, 70x100 and 100x140 cm. In smaller formats, the intimacy and warmth of the composition make it a perfect addition to any gallery wall or styled corner. In larger sizes, the bold graphic contrast of the black background and the vivid figures fills the wall with real presence and joyful energy.

For framing, we recommend a slim black or dark wood frame to echo the depth of the background and give the print a cohesive, gallery-quality finish. A natural oak frame also works beautifully, adding warmth and contrast against the dark background and softening the overall effect without diminishing any of its playful boldness.

Whimsical Dog and Swimmers by Sharyn Bursic is a portrait of joy, friendship, and the glorious impracticality of holding a dachshund above your head in the sea at night. It is art that makes every room it enters feel more alive.

How to hang your poster – simple and stylish tips

Getting a poster to hang perfectly is all about the small details. Start by choosing the right height — as a general rule, the center of the poster should sit around 145–155 cm (57–61 inches) from the floor, placing it naturally at eye level. Pick a frame that complements both the artwork and the room, and take a moment to measure so everything hangs straight.

Consider the lighting too: natural light makes colours appear vibrant, but avoid direct sunlight to keep the print looking beautiful for years. If you're hanging multiple posters together, begin from the center and keep the spacing consistent for a clean, balanced look.

It's the little adjustments that make all the difference — creating a refined and well-composed result.

Hang your poster with no measuring stress

Use painter's tape for a quick and perfectly straight result:

1. Hold your frame against the wall where you want it.
2. Place a strip of painter's tape along the top edge of the frame.
3. Mark exactly where the nail or screw should go.
4. Remove the tape and stick it onto the wall — perfectly level.
5. Hammer the nail into the marked spot.
6. Remove the tape and hang your poster.

A simple method for a clean, perfectly aligned poster — every time.

Fast delivery

We strive to ship your order from our warehouse within 24 hours – and always guarantee dispatch within 2–3 business days.

Shipping within Denmark costs 49 DKK with GLS parcel shop.

Free shipping over 399 DKK or 4+ posters (Denmark only)

Easy and secure returns

You have a full 14-day return right.

Simply contact us at hello@helloposter.com if you wish to return your order.

Important: Uncollected parcels are not considered valid cancellations, and you cannot cancel a purchase by refusing delivery.

A return handling fee of 49 DKK will be deducted from your refund.

Returns

All return items must be sent directly to our address – not to a parcel shop.

Uncollected orders are also not considered returns; in these cases, the buyer covers the return shipping cost of 49 DKK.

For orders that included free shipping, the actual shipping costs we incurred will be deducted from your refund.

The buyer always covers return shipping costs.

Please note that we do not accept parcels sent as “cash on delivery.”

To ensure fast processing, please contact us at hello@helloposter.com before returning your order.