Canadian artist paints Donald Trump portrait using horse manure – she sells it in a single day for $1,800

An artist from Canada has painted a portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump using horse manure, and the piece sold within a day of going on display, according to a report by CTV News. Vancouver Island artist Wendy Chartrand apparently created the painting to express her views on U.S. politics, using manure from horses on her own property as the medium.

The piece, called “The Don of Dung,” was shown at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, where it reportedly sold for $1,800. Chartrand described her choice of material as fitting for the subject. 

“I think that sometimes Canadians get tired of all the goings-on south of the border there, with their government,” Chartrand told CTV News. “It gets a bit frustrating, and this was kind of my way of expressing my feelings.”

Artist describes the process of turning manure into paint

According to CTV News, Chartrand mixed manure from her property into a workable medium. She said she watered it down, mashed it up, and strained it to form a kind of homemade watercolor. The finished portrait comes at a time when a Trump lookalike has gone viral online.

The report noted that the process had a strong smell, so Chartrand wore a mask or worked outdoors while making the painting. Once finished, she coated the piece with lacquer, which the report said prevents smudging and reduces the odor.

Chartrand said she sees humor in the project despite her frustration with U.S. politics. “It’s just good to laugh at stuff sometimes,” Chartrand said. “You can’t do anything about it often, so you might as well laugh.” She said she does not know who bought the painting but would like to find out so she can thank the buyer. Chartrand said she was surprised by how quickly the piece sold.

Speaking to The Langley Advance Times, Chartrand said she was relieved the painting sold quickly. “I was surprised, and I was really happy because I didn’t want it in my house,” she said.

Chartrand also said that specific issues shaped her feelings toward U.S. politics. “I was upset about the way things were going and comments about the ’51st state’, tariffs and even the Gordie Howe Bridge,” she said. Her mention of the “51st state” comment refers to Trump’s push for Venezuela statehood, a proposal that has drawn attention in recent months.

Asked about future projects, Chartrand said she may create a similar portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin, but spelt P-O-O-T-I-N,” she said, adding that she doubts it would be as popular as her Trump portrait.