Beth Williams
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An Afghan Hound, Cane Corso and other breeds exhibit the wide range of doggy demeanor.
Top Dog Winner
“Dogs have always been a part of my life. I used to breed and compete in dog shows, obedience and lure coursing with my Afghan Hounds; now I paint these incredible canines. I strive to capture their spirit, their devotion and their inner soul.”
Michele Trifiro
Why It Stands Out
“Dahlia features masterful paint handling, with a beautifully direct pose. I love the simplicity of the composition and that the painter hasn’t gotten too bogged down in detail. It’s a master class in ‘less is more.’ The colors are subtle and harmonious, and the whole painting has a serene and confident feel about it, like a modern old master.”
Sally Muir, Juror
Meet the Artist
Michele Trifiro, of Ashburnham, Mass., is a self taught artist with a deep and passionate appreciation for nature and the canine world. She combines keen observation, bold brushstrokes and sensitivity in her paintings.
Michele’s Thoughts on an Animal Artist’s Greatest Asset
“I think an animal artist’s greatest asset is the emotional connection we have to all animals, especially when we gaze into their eyes.”
Honorable Mentions
See the Honorable Mentions below.
“I love the juxtaposition of controlled, meticulous linework combined with the freedom and flow of watercolor. My goal as an artist is to utilize my drawings to instill a sense of wonder, curiosity and respect for nature.”—Alyse Dietel
WHY IT STANDS OUT: “For sheer originality and extraordinary concept, this is hard to beat. I’ve never seen anything like it. I love that the dog is both landscape and dog, which sounds very strange, but really works. It’s beautifully drawn, and the detail is wonderful. I think it’s made by being black and white.”—Sally Muir, Juror
“The painting is from a photo I took while kayaking in the Delaware River. There was a gentleman on the bank playing fetch with his dog. It was such a great scene that I couldn’t pass up painting it.”—James Ferraro
WHY IT STANDS OUT: “River Retrieve is beautifully executed with pastel. I love the abstract quality of the reflection and the looseness in the handling of the materials. The limited palette works exceptionally well, with the harmonious combination of the pinky browns and greens. It’s a very lovely use of color, combined with an unusual subject, worked with absolutely no sentimentality. It shows masterful handling of pastel with excellent composition for a very successful work.”—Sally Muir, Juror
“I was just lucky enough to catch a photo of my sister’s dog, Marshall, in some wonderful light which gave him an unusually dignified pose!”—Jean Keller
WHY IT STANDS OUT: “I just love Marshall’s expression; he’s a very ‘doggy” dog. The handling of the paint is lively and not too overcomplicated; the ears are masterful. I feel the painter knows Marshall well and has gone for a direct, simple and loving portrait. The limited palette works beautifully to give it a restful and gentle feel. I think it’s a lovely piece of work.”—Sally Muir, Juror
“I first met Remi and her owner while out walking my dog. Remi is a Cane Corso; my Vinny is a Shih Tzu. Remi was a bouncy 6-month-old pup weighing in at about 60 pounds at the time, but Vinny soon sorted her out, and they became firm friends. Remi’s solemn, anxious expression and sweet nature stole my heart, and I asked her owner if I could paint her. Remi and her owner have since moved to the San Francisco Bay area, but the owner and I stay in touch and share happy memories. Remi is now fully grown and weighs 100 pounds.”—Mary Fotheringham
WHY IT STANDS OUT: “Remi has real presence. I think it’s very clever to have the dog pushing out of the mount toward us; it gives the painting a clever 3D feel. The shadow has been beautifully painted. It has a very noble and serious feel, which I like in a dog portrait. You feel the bond between dog and owner in a very touching way.”—Sally Muir, Juror
“The owners of these two dogs are also best friends. The dogs are so comfortable together that they often respond to commands from the owners as one, regardless of which owner issued the command. So the image of them sitting together patiently, waiting for their next direction, was so appropriate. The single tennis ball is also shared between the dogs. I also like how each dog has an eye in shadow as though their two eyes are shared as one dog … best friends.”— Thomas Schroeder
WHY IT STANDS OUT: “What an amazing watercolor painting—absolutely technically brilliant. I love that the carpet and the dogs are so in harmony with one another. I think the composition is excellent, and I love the daring of having half of one of the dogs almost totally in shadow. It’s a very confident piece, witty and clever, as well as brilliantly executed.”—Sally Muir, Juror
See more of Trifiro’s work here.
For the rest of our 2nd Annual Best in Show Pets Art Competition, check out the winners from the other categories as well:
- Best in Show
- The Top 6 Cat Winners
- The Top 6 Other Winners
Enter Your Own Pet Art: Calling all animal-loving artists! Put your best paw forward in our pets-themed art competition for a chance to win $1,500, an artist’s spotlight and more. ENTER NOW:
