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The ResultsP A W T R A I T A R T I S T O F T H E Y E A R2 0 2 2 - 2 3 ?

Our celebrity sitter...

Thank you so much to everyone for entering and voting.Here are the results, what talented artists! The ResultsP A W T R A I T A R T I S T O F T H E Y E A R 2 0 2 2 - 2 3BeverleyEditor, Dogs Today.

The Public's TOP TEN

I started painting animals a few years ago, but I've always loved art.Making art completes me, it makes me whole and happy. I usewatercolour paints and coloured pencils to create vibrant,contemporary paintings which portray the animal's character. I payparticular attention to the eyes, they are the windows to the souland can bring the painting alive. I work as a community nurse so Ihave to fit my painting in around that. I love seeing people's faceslight up when they see their dog's painting. I loved painting Fleur,every dog has their own individual markings and I strive to captureeverything. I always like to know something about the dogs I paint,I always get their owners to describe them to me. Fleur's a dogthat's been through so much in her life and has bounced back,which shows what a real character she must be, so obviously sheneeded to be painted in bright vibrant colours. I'd love to meetFleur.Andrea KnowlesAndrea Knowles

WinnerPublicvote“Very modern, colourful just like Fleur! She has manylayers to her. Colourful and playful,”says Wendy Morris, Fleur's co-owner.

Andrea KnowlesCooperI've always loved dogs. We currently have a two year old blackLabrador called Bailey. We got him when I had long COVID and he hashelped to improve my physical and mental health. I worked as a nursein the community all through the UK lockdowns and then contractedCOVID-19 and was very ill with it. Fortunately I wasn't hospitalised,but I was in bed for over three weeks and then suffered withbreathlessness and fatigue for a year. Bailey makes me laugh everyday,he's such a clown and he gets me out walking. I love to capture thepersonality and spirit of the dog in my paintings. I do this through myunusual choice of colours and by painting their eyes realistically.This painting is a commission I did of a German Shorthaired Pointercalled Cooper. He is owned by a nurse colleague. I worked from herphotos, it was a surprise birthday present for her husband. I lovedpainting him, GSPs possess high energy, a strong prey drive, and anathletic prowess. I feel that I portrayed this in my painting of Cooper.He looks very regal. I'm a self taught artist.

The Public's TOP TEN

WendyOWNERSCHOICEPriscilla TangI am a pet portrait artist based in Hong Kong.I use both watercolor and digital mediums. Istarted pet art about four years ago. Beforethat I had been a classical fashion illustratorin New York and HK for the last 20 years. Myfavourite is watercolor medium with digitalcoming close behind. A piece will take meanything from six days to 20 (depending onthe urgency and my mood!). I chose dogs over fashion because I am anavid dog lover. Bobby came into my life whenI was five, a lonesome chapter of my life.Being a child art prodigy, Bobby, a yellow Lab,was my muse, playmate and companion. Ipractically grew up with him. The thing I loveabout my work is that I happily apply myfashion art skills and incorporate them intoPet Portraits.2nd Publicvote“This is a young Fleur in thearms of her saviour Ramonain Romania, but so cleverlydrawn! I can see me in theretoo. This by far is myfavourite,” says Wendy.

Priscilla Tang I find it very gratifying to see how my arthelps to gently ease my clients of pet grief. Itbrings a sparkle back into their eyes.I started out self-taught or rather as taughtby my very artsy Dad from a very young age.Later on at a ripe age of 35, afterimmigrating to the US, I went back to an artschool for formal art training at the F.I.T.New York. My art heroes are NormanRockwell and Antonio LopezSweetie

The Public's TOP TEN

Sarah PhippsI use graphite pencils on smooth Bristol board. I'm alsocurrently learning to use pastel pencils for colouredportraits. I like to produce very realistic portraits so Iusually spend between 15-25 hours on a portrait,depending on size.

Sarah Phipps3rd PublicvoteAndrewOWNERSCHOICE“Black and white. A playful strong Fleur,” says Wendy Morris, Fleur’s co-owner.

Sarah PhippsMolly MooI decided to draw my brother's dog for myfirst ever coloured portrait. I wanted to try outthe pencils and she's one of the most beautifuldogs I've ever seen! I knew her colours wouldlook amazing. Her name is Molly - betterknown as Molly Moo the Cavapoo onInstagram! And she is two years old. I decidednot to tell my brother and his wife that I wasdrawing Molly, so it would be a surprise onceit arrived! They were both so shocked whenthey received it and said it was absolutelyincredible..

The Public's TOP TEN

Karen GouldI started art after finishing work in 2016. Iuse most mediums as I feel I need to tryeverything. I love creating dog and humansand my favourite things to paint are eyes.They say so much to me and I always startwith eyes. If you’ve not captured them then,for me, there’s no point carrying on and Istart again. I’ve never timed myself exceptfor one hour challenges which a lovelywatercolour group set weekly. I just lovepainting and drawing and get so involved ineach piece I create.

Karen Gould“Karen Gould has captured Fleur’s eyes and smile.”Wendy Morris, Fleur’s owner4th Publicvote

Karen GouldCleoI worked from a photo for the artwork of lovely Cleo. I received afew photographs to look through, and as soon as I saw the one it hadto be the one. I was asked to create a bright colour splash on canvas of Cleo andthis was a first for me. A massive challenge as I'm self taught. But Iwas really pleased with the results as were Cleo's family. It took mea few weeks and lots of thoughts about colour choices. Then the selfdoubt‚ will they like it? I've had lovely feedback about Cleo from somany people - it's now one of my favourites.

The Public's TOP TEN

Kerry WhiteleyI use watercolours for portraits as I love theirunpredictable nature and their ability to granulate.I love painting both people and animals. Fleur hasbeautiful interesting eyes which were a joy topaint, but the background was more of a challengeas I really wanted Fleur's face and fur to stand out.

Kerry Whiteley5th Publicvote“Out of the darkness and into the light,”Wendy Morris, Fleur’s co-owner.

Kerry WhiteleyTedAn acquaintance posted a photo of her dog, Ted,who is a Romanian rescue dog. He looked so happyto have his photo taken that I couldn't resistpainting him.

The Public's TOP TEN

Alexander MorrisonI suffer from panic attacks alongwith PTSD. I find drawing helpsrelax me and I enjoy it. My work isblack and grey scale. I preferdrawing animals to people, it's abetter choice for me and mydisability. I love the reactions of theowners when they receive thefinished product. Especially if it'sone they no longer have.

Alexander Morrison6th Publicvote “I see the older, mature Fleur,’’says Wendy.

Alexander Morrison StarI love my dogs. They bring me joy, happiness andlaughter. They are loyal without regard for themselves.When I draw for others it brings them joy and sometimesheartache that the pet is no longer there, but I feel I haveimmortalised them. This is my own dog, shephotobombed my wife's selfie. When I was wondering if Ishould follow this line of work I decided to draw thisportrait of her and that helped me decide to go with it. Iworked from the photo as there is no way she would holdstill at all. I love this as she will always be with me.

The Public's TOP TEN

Louana WinterI use watercolours mostly but I have alsoused acrylics and pastels. Depending on thebreed of the dog it could take up to aroundeight hours, a Lurcher for instance may takeless time. I find hairy dogs easier topaint/draw. I started painting dogs back inthe 1980s with my mother’s corgi Bonnie, Ilove painting dogs the eyes bring out thedog's character. You have to get the eyesright.

Louana Winter7th Publicvote“Louana has captured Fleur eyes and her famous soft ears,”says Wendy.

Louana WinterThe is a rescue dog named Hope wholives in France and is living a happy life,The painting took around six hours inwatercolour, I am very happy with hereyes and I worked from a photo. I lovethe work of Alfred Munnings because hehad a very good eye for capturing theequine physique in his work.Hope

The Public's TOP TEN

Debbie CarterI use coloured pencils. A portraitprobably takes about 24 hours (Ihonestly don't know as I can easily losea few hours when I'm drawing!), I'vealways drawn and painted since I waslittle, but only rediscovered my love ofpencils recently. Drawing is puretherapy for me, I'm in my in littleworld and can forget about any stressin my life. It's something I need to doas much as something I want to do. Ilove drawing dogs and always startwith the eyes to get a feel for theircharacter. I enjoy drawing otheranimals too, especially horses, if Icould draw 24/7 I would!Knowing the back story is alwayshelpful, I loved drawing Fleur as she isbeautiful dog. She looks like she has avery gentle nature which I tried tocapture. I also used bronze and blue inthe background to symbolise strength,trust and loyalty.

Debbie Carter“Pure Innocence,”Wendy Morris, Fleur’s co-owner. 8th PublicvoteAndrewOWNERSCHOICEWendyOWNERSCHOICE

Debbie CarterDrawing and being creative is part of who I am anddrawing dogs in particular is something I've always beendrawn to. I love trying to capture a character orpersonality, or just a particular moment and mood. Ioften feel a connection to any dog that I'm drawing, itreally helps to produce a believable portrait. I definitelyfelt a connection to Fleur and also Hector.My friend Pippa's dog Hector who is no longer with her,but he was a huge part of her life and I wanted to make amemorial portrait for her. He probably took around 25hours or so. I loved the photo as he just looked veryhappy and content. I hope that is what I've managed toshow in the portrait. I don't have any art heroes as such,but I am a member of Bonny Snowdon's art academyand she is an incredible coloured pencil artist and tutor.Hector

The Public's TOP TEN

Maria WatkinsonI use charcoal on Bristol board. Thistook me two days. I've drawn since Icould pick up a pencil and adoredogs, it's my relaxation. I can't drawpeople, so always dogs! I would loveto meet Fleur, it does help knowingher story. I wanted to do her justiceI am always in awe of other artists,so I feel like I have achievedsomething if friends like what I'vedone when I have drawn their dogs.I have always had dogs by my side. Iam a catering manager so always onmy feet. It's nice to sit and draw. Iused to make celebration cakesalways loved making a dog! I drawall animals I am working on an owlat the moment. I draw what I see so Ilove a twinkle in the eye.

Maria Watkinson9th Publicvote“Those eyes! I can see inside her soul. Fleur has twovery different eyes in this picture. I see the left eyeshowing her hard life and the right eye showing herbrightness, shining like a diamond,” says Wendy Morris Fleur’s co-owner.

Maria Watkinson This is Fern, a working Cocker Spaniel,from our dog training centre. Herowner loved the portrait.Fern

The Public's TOP TEN

Bryony HillI use all sorts of media from ink, acrylicto watercolour and I would be happy toloan my artwork and also donate mypicture of Fleur.

Bryony Hill10th Publicvote “Fleur on top of the world,”says Wendy Morris, Fleur’s co-owner.

Bryony HillThis little dog was a special, much-lovedfurry friend - perhaps not the prettiestbut with a heart of gold. It was a giftfrom a daughter to her mother.

The Public's TOP TEN

We will announce our next sitter soon!P AW T R A I T A R T I S T O F T H E Y E A R 2 0 2 3