Masters of Domestic Animal Art, International Juried Art Exhibition 2026
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Congratulations to all the artists of Masters of Domestic Animal Art!
Thank you to every artist artist who submitted. This year's Masters of Domestic Animal Art is a testament to these artists' dedication to unique style and their fearless embrace of domestic animal art. This exhibition features risk-taking in color theory and composition, expressive texture work, and mind-blowing realism. All of this happens through depictions of the animals who live and work with us.
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. Jurors were Sarah Soward, Ashli Kingfisher, and Sharon Eisley.
Awards:Â 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
Sheltered, by Michelle Delanty 12 x 12 inches, Oil
From the artist, "This painting shows my sweet Vanilla Bean in one of her favorite places – sheltered and safe in a plastic bag from Target."
The warm vs. cool color theory in this is straightforward and bold. It's as visual impact of it ads to the feeling and metaphorical sound of crinkling in the plastic bag. There's just enough visual information painted in to effectively describe different textures. The brushstrokes are expressive where they need to be, showing edges, light, and depth as needed.
All of that technique comes together to tell us a story of a cat who doesn't always feel safe, but who finds safety here. It's an emotional experience wrapped up in a painting of a cat in a plastic bag.
OVERALL RUNNER UP
Maine Coon Row, by Cher Pruys 9 x 11 inches, Acrylic on 300LB Hot Press
From the artist, "These wee little Maine coons were most cooperative for their photo shoot!"
Cher Pruys delivers a master class in texture in this photorealistic painting. The wood texture differens from the wall texture, of course. But that the artist took the time and had the skill to make two different carpet textures is a feat. It's also something we don't see often. On top of that, the texture of the cats' coats also differ. They may all be Maine coon cats, but they have their own personalities and it shows in more than just the various colors of their fur.
ARTIVISM AWARD
Loneliness, by Jeffrey Yenta 11 x 16 inches, Pen and ink, charcoal pencil, colored pencils, and colored markers
From the artist, "Around every corner there is an opportunity for compassion."
The intensity of this art style adds to the message. The color is subtle, but effective incommunicating both clash (or fear) and tentative hope. The color is, essentially, trapped behind the ink, adding another layer of visual metaphor to the cornered dog. Through composition as well as posture and facial expression, the artist tells us that this dog is scared and also willing to accept help. The artist positioned the viewer to be as much the subject of this as the dog. Will we offer compassion? What does that mean for us and for the dog?
OVERALL HONORABLE MENTIONS
Congratulations to our Overall Honorable Mention winners, Anna Kawalec, Iuliia Shapoval, Kah Tan, Sybiline ., William Turner, Lindsey Sherline, Jan Peeters, Timothy Stebbins, Kelly Burgo, Isabelle Carabantes, and Dayana Stetco.
FINALISTS
Congratulations to our award Finalists, Nancy Allen, Barbara Boeglin, Azusa Takahashi, Helen Coulter, Sarah Drummond, Alena Ptsjolko, Iuliia Shapoval, Sophia Cheng, Sofia Masiello, Cher Pruys, Andrea Bates, Barney Levitt, Cathe Neukum, Tonya Dalhaus, and Suzanne McAndrew.
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, Nancy Allen, Caitlyn Pelletier, Stacey Barge, Darlene Harrison, Natasha Lazareva, Lesa Aker, Michelle Delanty, Tiami Hogberg, Ondre Pettingill, Cheryl King, Cher Swain, Sydney Lemmon, Laurie Buhr, Jan Peeters, Leah Wiedemer, and Sergio Miguel Martinez Herrera.
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 2027. After that date, ArtCall automatically archives the pages.
Award Distribution Masters of Domestic Animal Art 2026
Best of Show ($350 cash award)
Overall Runner Up ($175 cash award)
Artivism Award ($75)
Overall Honorable Mentions
Finalists
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 $175 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 $75 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.
Finalists 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.
Selected Works are not awarded entries, but they are included in virtual group exhibition that lasts at least one month. There is no set number of Selected Works.
This art exhibition was juried by Sarah Soward, Ashli Kingfisher, and Sharon Eisley.