HOWL. The Art of Dogs 2025, International Juried Art Exhibition
- sarahsoward
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
Congratulations to all the artists of "HOWL. The Art of Dogs 2025!" We are excited to share this collection of everything canine, including dogs, wolves, and foxes. Enjoy each piece as well as the overall experience of dog-ness presented in this grouping. There are as many different types of dogs here as there are dog attitudes and personalities.
It is the goal of Wild Heart Gallery to support and promote animal and wildlife artwork in a wide range of genres and styles. Artwork for this exhibition was selected by jury based on theme, originality, skill, and quality of work. We brought in two new-to-us jurors for this one, and the gallery is excited to see that they also appreciate a range of styles when it comes to wildlife art. Jurors were Sarah Soward, Sharon Eisley, Laura Medvedieva.
Awards: Best of Show, Overall Runner Up, Artivism Award, Overall Honorable Mentions, and Finalists. There is also an art section of Selected Works.
Click on an image below to enlarge it.
BEST OF SHOW
Joyride, by Britney Gibson 36 x 48 inches, Oil-paint-pen stipple drawing
From the artist, "My recent artwork, Joyride, is a stipple drawing that captures a fleeting moment of pure, unadulterated joy. The subject itself, a dog reveling in the simple act of a car ride, is a universal symbol of unburdened happiness. With ears flapping in the wind, eyes wide with curiosity, and a panting smile, the dog embodies a present-moment awareness that humans often strive for. It is a reminder of the profound joy that can be found in the most ordinary of circumstances.
"The choice of stippling as my primary technique is deliberate. The gradual build-up of tone, from the lightest highlights catching the wind-ruffled fur to the deepest shadows defining the contours of the dog's face, reflects the slow accumulation of moments that constitute a feeling. My art is not just about capturing the likeness of a subject; it's about preserving a memory, celebrating life, and finding peace in the details of the world around us."
This piece is the epitome of DOG. This is the joy of being canine, taking in the world, full of excitement with nose forward and tongue out.
And then there's the sheer skill of the artist. There are clean edges and high contrast as well as soft transitions. The eye is directed through the drawing in a way that is as energetic as the dog depicted.
OVERALL RUNNER UP
Follow Your Nose, by Annalisa Wallace
7.5 x 11 inches, Charcoal
From the artist, "The inspiration for this drawing came from observing the natural elegance and vulnerability of whippets. Their slender frames, long limbs, and expressive faces offer a compelling blend of strength and fragility. The idea to use foreshortening emerged from a desire to create a more dynamic, immersive composition—bringing the viewer into the space of the animal, rather than observing it from a distance."
If you are not familiar with the work of Fechen, take a look and then come back and drink up this drawing one more time.
There is just enough information to give us a connection and enough missing that our eye keeps searching for more. It's a delicate and beautiful balance.
ARTIVISM AWARD
BACKED INTO CORNERS, by Embry O'Leary 10 x 8 in, Screen print, water-based ink on paperÂ
From the artist, "Dogs are as ubiquitous as they are complex. To some, they are loyal, loving, and affectionate creatures. To others, they are dangerous and wild. Regardless of their temperament, dogs are passionate, hearty, resilient creatures. A dog can be both your closest friend and your fiercest bodyguard. Dogs do not bite out of sheer cruelty; we know animals bite and bark out of self-preservation.
"Instead of assuming the worst of these animals, I want to propose the alternative:
What, or who, made this creature so desperate?
How can we empathize with a dog's fear, agitation, and desire to stay safe in the face of a threat?
"Inspired by street art, DIY movements, and the bold, experimental approach to modern screenprinting, I created this piece to illustrate my esteem and love for dogs as a symbol of resilience and protection. I relate to canines for their strength and courage, and I hope others will feel the same fire when viewing my art!"
The text of the screen print reads, "Even kind creatures will do desperate things when backed into corners."
The art-activism message in this clear. As far as art commentary goes, this is an exciting piece of screen printing. The intentional alignment gap of the red creates more motion and guides the eye through a piece that could easily become hectic. O'Leary held on just tight enough to the composition to give a sense of purpose and control while allowing red to escape and dance, adding to the feeling of desperation.
OVERALL HONORABLE MENTIONS
Congratulations to our Overall Honorable Mention winners, DebiLynn Fendley, Kathryn Hansen, Christophe Drochon, Leah Davies, Karla Mann, Cher Pruys, Rebecca Sobin, Simon Treseder, and Beth Thompson.
FINALISTS
Congratulations to our award Finalists, Helen Turkdogan, Khrystyna Khristianova, Kim Fortin, Heather Mitchell, Erin Ward, Linn G. Baker, Deborah O'Connor, Karla Mann, Paul Strohbehn, Carol Polich, Thomas Griffithe, Rachel Blakley, Cherry Williams, Emily Willcut, and Carolyn Brandt.
SELECTED WORKS
This section is for works that are selected for the virtual exhibition here on wildheartgallery.com but are not awarded.
Congratulations to our Selected Works artists, Kati Graue, Monica Wiles, Justine Woosnam, Patty Pendergast, Randall Bennett, Britney Gibson, Lindsey Jade, Kimberley Di Penta , Rae Beckius, Jennifer Gockowski, Yvonne Todd, Stephanie Binot, Anthony Corraro, Sophie Brouillet, Gaal Agnes, Martli Heyns, Suzanne Sheran, Paul Strohbehn, Jane O'Hara, Thyra Moore, Barbara Hornstra, and Simon Treseder.
See more entries!
The entries that made it to the final round of judging are also available to view on our art submission partner site: ArtCall.org
These additional images will be available to view through approximately June 2026. After that date, ArtCall.org automatically archives the pages.
Award Distribution for HOWL. The Art of Dogs 2025
Best in Show receives $350 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 receives $150 cash award and 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.
Artivism Award receives $50 cash award and 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.
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. All award recipients also receive an award certificate, emailed as a PDF to the email address used for the submission process.
This art exhibition was juried by Sarah Soward, Sharon Eisley, and Laura Medvedieva.