Congratulations on your win!  Tell us about your experience and expertise, and how this relates to your entry.  What target audience did you write for, and why?

I am a professional artist/author/illustrator.  I’ve been painting professionally since 1996.  My most sought-after work is canine related.  Each year, the Irish Setter Club of America has an artist design their artwork for the upcoming National Specialty.  Having had Irish Setters since 1984, painting their logo always touches my heart.

What prompted you to submit this specific entry?  Why do you think it struck a special chord with the public and the judges—and with you?  

The ISCA (Irish Setter Club of America) had their 2025 National Specialty in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  The artwork, geographically specific, features two Irish Setters running through the surf.  Being published on the cover of their magazine after the National Specialty provided a perfect piece to be submitted to the DWAA competition for the single photo or illustration category.

We all know how much dogs love running with a stick or a ball.  It was perfect to have one of the running dogs energetically running with a piece of driftwood in its mouth.  Irish Setters running is a beautiful sight.  Adding a stick in one’s mouth made this artwork appealing to all dog owners, regardless of breed or mixed breed.  We love our dogs unconditionally and seeing them enjoy themselves always brings us joy. They are actually my dogs that I photographed in my yard, with a stick in the older one’s mouth.  Thus, this made the painting extra special to me, and I was very hopeful that the artwork would touch the judges as well.

How big a part have dogs played in your personal and professional life?  Was there a particular dog that sparked your interest in interacting with the public?  Tell us about this special dog in your contest entry.

My family are all dog lovers.   As far back as I can remember, there were pets in my grandparents’ and parents’ homes.  My father’s side had Fox Hounds.  My mother’s side had Kerry Blue Terriers.  I was given my first dog at ten years of age.  I have not been without a dog since.  My first Irish Setter came into my life in 1984.  At that time, it was in my heart to write and illustrate a children’s book featuring an Irish Setter.  That dream was dormant until 2013.  I had a wonderful dog named “Jewel” that was whelped in 1999.   She and I did everything together.  I owner handled her to a Best in Show in 2003.  At that same time, I was running her to Hollywood to tape Animal Planet commercials and participating in a dog-related reality show that was to air on Fox TV.  She was also a registered therapy dog.  I took her to schools whenever invited, and on Christmas day we would go to nursing homes and spend time with people who did not have family in the area.

The two dogs in the contest entry are Bliss – BISS GCHS CH Greengates Treasure at Rendition CGC TKN NOHSP.  Bliss is National Owner Handled Series Platinum and has won 10 Owner Handled Best in Shows, # 1 NOHS Irish Setter in 2024, Group Winning, Multiple Group Placing and ranked in the Top 20 Irish Setter for two years.  Bling Matisse – BISS GCH CH Allegiance Royal Heart of Fire CGC TKN – NOHSB, multi NOHS group winner, multiple sporting group placing and ranked in top 10 NOHS Irish Setters.   I am the only one who shows the girls.  Surgeries have kept me out of the ring since November 2025.  That break has been bittersweet but given me more time to work on a backload of commissions and illustrative work for hire.

A lifetime of loving and living with dogs has been paramount in my personal and professional life.   My goal with my children’s book series, a dream come true, has allowed me to use Bling Matisse as an ambassador for children and families everywhere.  I cannot imagine a life without a dog and hope I can share this love of dogs with families while encouraging them to always have a dog too.

How big a part have people played in your association with dogs?  Family?  Friends?  Do you have any favorite writers or graphic artists?  How have they influenced your career?

It would be virtually impossible to fully expand upon how much people have played a part in my life with dogs.   My world quite honestly evolves around dogs, and all of my friends and family are staunch dog enthusiasts.  My Irish Setter actually picked out my husband.  If a man didn’t love dogs, there was no point in us pursuing a relationship.  Favorite writers – that is difficult.   I am an avid reader and enjoy reading everything no matter how large or small.   As a young adult, I belonged to a book club.   My time was spent drawing, reading or outside with my dog.  There is nothing more comforting than sitting down with a good book, magazine, or article with my dogs next to me. There is no favorite writer – I love them all.   For artists, I study under well-known artists --  modern day masters if you will.   I feel I am always a student of both art and learning about dogs.

When you consider both your personal and professional canine-related achievements, which one of each stands out the most?  And why? What is the driving force that sparks your work?

In 2003, the American Kennel Club announced its first poster competition for the National Invitational Dog Show – the Eukanuba (now known as the Royal Canine).  The winning art would be put into print by the AKC and be the official poster of the dog show.  I won that inaugural competition with a painting of an Irish Setter puppy sitting in a large silver trophy cup.  The name of the painting was “Full of Dreams”.  The Eukanuba was held in Long Beach, California that year – 2003.  I lived in Los Angeles at the time.  During the show, when not in the Irish Ring with Jewel, I was at the AKC  booth signing posters.  There were some kind comments from patrons saying they wished their breed was featured in the cup.  I would smile at them and reply, “Isn’t this what we all dream of – our puppy growing up to win a Best in Show”. They always bought the poster because my sentiment of the painting touched their hearts.  We all shared the same dream regardless of the breed.

The driving force that sparks my work is the love of art.  A gallery In Southern California that represented me asked their artists to paint outside on busy weekends.  I can’t tell you how many people would say to me, “You are really in a zone” when they saw my focus on the easel.  I get lost in my work.  It really expands to all my paintings.  In truth, painting dogs is my favorite thing and what I am most known for.

What ongoing or future canine projects do you have planned?  Are they personal or professional?

I continue to work on my children’s book series.  The first book, “No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here,” was about facing fears and learning about the benefits of teamwork.  The second book, “Bling’s on the Trail of a Fluffy Puffy Tail,” is about setting goals and helping those in need.  The third book is in the beginning stages.  My intention is to release a new book each year and continue to use my dogs to reach families and teach as many people as I can about the joys of dogs.  Currently, I am illustrating several books for other authors.   My personal and professional goals are so intertwined that it is difficult to separate the two.

What would you recommend to those peers who wish to enter your winning category in next year’s contest? 

Paint from the heart.  If your passion is involved, you have already won.

To conclude this interview, what thoughts would you like to add? 

I would like to enthusiastically express gratitude for the volunteers who make the Dog Writers Association of America such a professional group.  Their newsletter and opportunities for writers, illustrators, artists, photographers are so greatly appreciated.  For writers, keep writing – we all need you.  For artists – keep painting.  You are creating the art that the world needs.