Congratulations to all the artists of HOWL! Canine art is exciting and full of a huge range of emotions. The artists here are outstanding examples of the best of what it means to be an animal artist who paints dog and their wild cousins. Outstanding work!
It is the goal of Wild Heart Gallery to support and promote animal and wildlife artwork in a wide range of genres and styles. We are pleased to present a show of canine-forward artwork that runs the gamut!
Artwork for this exhibition was selected by jury based on theme, originality, skill, and quality of work. Jurors were Sarah Soward, Sharon Eisley, Ashli Kingfisher, and Wild Heart Gallery-award-winner Maartje Fleetwood.
Awards: Best in Show, Overall Runner Up, Artivism Award, Overall Honorable Mentions, and Finalists.
Click on an image below to enlarge it.
BEST IN SHOW
Esme, by Lorna Dandy 12 x 16inches, Coloured Pencil on Watercolour paper.
From the artist, "Capturing the flowing coat on the movement of a Briard, the elegance and poise of a dog that knows she has it all."
The dog-ness of a long-haired dog is exquisitely captured here. The balance of stillness and motion between the flowing fur and detailed muzzle and tongue are put into high alery by the clean, stark white background. The shadows are deep enough to get lost in but also not overpowering. It's a portrait of happiness, contentment, and energy. It is the epitome of dog. We are proud to announce it as Best in Show for HOWL.
OVERALL RUNNER UP
Party of Three, by Kerri Mullin
8 x 10 inches, Watercolor on cold press paper
From the artist, "Party of Three captures a heartwarming scene of a newly engaged couple celebrating their love with their beloved bulldog. The central figure in the painting is the dog, a brindle bulldog with a proud and amiable expression. He sits confidently in the foreground, emphasizing the fact that the dog is an integral part of the couple's relationship and their future together."
The aspects of this warm and inviting family portrait that really moved the jurors have to do with composition, paint handling, and depth of field. The overall mood is deep and full of love. The artistry of this is a masterclass in how to create depth in a painting in a contemporary way. The crispness of the details on the bulldog are just enough to draw it's face forward whiled everything else recedes in tiers. The choice to leave parts of the drawing visible through the painting as evidence of the artist's hand is appreciated and completely appropriate in this piece. Well done!
ARTIVISM AWARD
Bodyguard ..., by Franko Dine 60 x 70 cm, Acrylic
From the artist, "Give a dog something to eat and you will remember it for three years. Feed a man and you will forget him [in] three days."
While Animal Artivism often centers on protecting animals and/or the environment from people, HOWL is the perfect exhibition for Animal Artivism that focuses on the interrelationships of humans to canines and humans to humans.
Art-wise, the use of texture and color enhance the message. The dogs are more fullyl realiszed and standout from the background of the painting. The person is painted in the colors and textures of the wall and cardboard box. This makes the person recede and likens them to the background metaphorically.
OVERALL HONORABLE MENTIONS
Congratulations to our Overall Honorable Mention winners, Lorna Dandy, Valarie Wolf, Kaila Larson, Manon Bentley, Cher Pruys, Aneliya Aleksandrova, Melissa Gray, and Sherri Paul.
FINALISTS
Congratulations to our award Finalists, TR Turner, Shannon Brett, Ian Hanks, Danguole Serstinskaja, Ellen Levine, Kaila Larson, Paige Quinton, Karen Xarchos, Michael Mitchell, Kate Citrin, Alex Caloen, Zoltan Boros, Barbara Handler, Jane Wilkinson (Storey), Melissa Suchinski, and Kerri Mullin.
Best in Show for HOWL. The Art of Dogs 2024 receives $250 cash award and promotion on the following: Art Week, Wild Heart Gallery’s (WHG's) growing social media and other online media channels, WHG's eNewsletter, and WHG's home page (for duration of the exhibition).
Overall Runner Up for Masters of Wildlife Art 2024 receives $50 cash award and the below:
All award recipients receive promotion on Wild Heart Gallery’s (WHG's) growing social media/other online media channels and WHG's eNewsletter and inclusion in a virtual group exhibition that lasts at least one month.
This art exhibition was juried by Sarah Soward, Sharon Eisley, Maartje Fleetwood, and Ashli Kingfisher.