I had quite the giddy little girl surprise yesterday when I opened my mailbox – I received the July issue of DogWorld Magazine. I wasn’t expecting this issue until – well, July. So I was pretty surprised to see it and cannot TELL you how quickly I opened up to the inside cover contents:
Now, this is where the squealing like a little girl part came in. Those of you who know my work know exactly why already, those of you who don’t? Click here, then come back and have another look. If any of you would like to reminisce, you could go back to my blog archives and have a walk down memory lane, and see how Katie’s portrait came to life in my studio.
When I was asked to display artwork in DogWorld Magazine, I was absolutely ecstatic. I had to submit work for consideration, first, and then the editorial team would approve the final artwork selected for this issue. Katie was an obvious choice, she’s a gorgeous purebred Lab. I quickly provided everything they requested and it wasn’t long before her portrait was issued their stamp of approval. So much so, in fact, that they gave her a full page:
From start to finish, Katie’s portrait is “all me”. What’s different about this piece from my other portraits is that I also did the photo shoot with Katie. I selected this composition from my own photography – so it is exactly how I envisioned her from start to finish. Getting down on the floor with her and hanging out with her, seeing how she behaved around her mom, this conveys her spirit in a portrait perfect way, from first hand knowledge and experience.
The greatest part about this opportunity is that it is who it is. Dog lovers, those who have those special connections with their dogs, trainers, aficionados – these are the eyes that will pick up this magazine and see this portrait, so this is such an insane honor. Really. I can’t even wrap my brain around how flattered and overwhelming it is.
Other artists work included in the “Gallery of Dogs” spread include Michael Pfleghaar, Louise Peterson, Nicholas Moss, Paul Boddum, Marjorie Pesek, Lori Alexander and Hilda Spain-Owen.
If you’re in the pet store or Borders or wherever there’s a great big magazine rack – pick up the July (2008) issue of Dog World.
{53 Comments}
Fantastic ! Imagine all the people your art will touch now. Congratulstions.
Thank you so much! I honestly don’t even know what to expect. Part of me wants to redesign my whole site again, though.
wonderful!!!
but ok, seriously why didn’t you tell me???? sheesh you talk to someone every day and you think you know them…………
LOL – Sorry! I was painting and if I called you, I would have been on the phone for 2 hours and never finished the birdie underpaintings!
Forgive me, yes?
Wow! Thats Huge Leanne! I just sent a mail off to my aunt and she is a member of several dog lists and groups. You will be getting some traffic I bet! ;-)
Congrats girl! You deserve it!
i suppose i could………….
Thank you, Phoenix!!
OMG!!!
How THRILLING is THAT!!!
I hope they included your web address in the magazine. (Lots of new work coming your way!) To be honest, I’m not at all surprised you got your art in the magazine, because its so good, but what a thrill for you! Way to go!!!
That’s awesome! I’ve always loved Katie’s portrait; hers is my favorite [after my own girl, of course!]
I’m thrilled for you!
Crusty – you nailed that excitement factor that I’m feeling – thank you!
I just added a shot of the caption beneath my painting. Oh yes, they did.
Thank you so much, Pam!
All of my paintings are so special to me, sometimes it really is a struggle to have to choose just one! I’m grateful for the guidelines that help me narrow things down.
Whoo Hoo!! That is so awesome!! Congrats!!!!
Congratulations! When I first saw the picture of Katie it looked so REAL. It just pops right out like she could jump out of the magazine!
Thank you, Kim!
P.S. I don’t have a shirt.
SwordMama – Thank you! I admit – I’m hoping that people don’t pass it by thinking it’s a photograph!
I AM SOOOO PROUD OF YOU!! I’m crying!!! I Love You! xxoo
Congrats to you! That’s so exciting!
Yay! Congrats Leanne!
Your art looks wonderful in the magazine! I’m so happy for you! 
Oh wow! That’s so cool! I have to go look up the cover dog though cuz it looks just like my Lilly. LOL! I may have finally figured out her breed…we’ve always just said mutt before.
Your picture is awesome and certainly deserves a whole page. Great job and great job of Dog World to realize it.
That is fabulous Leanne – I am so jazzed for you and IMHO you are second to none and I am not at all surprised! I have looked at other people’s paintings of animals and though a lot of them are nice, none compare to yours!!!! Congratulations. I gotta show everyone of my “doggy” friends. Its fun for me because I have kept up with you for several years now and its exciting to watch what you do. I still gotta get the pics of my mom’s Shih Tzu that died together to get a painting done.. She would be so happy to get one of her. Again, Congrats!!
Okay, I looked up the Havanese and Lilly isn’t one of them…she’s way too big for that… but she does look like the cover dog. Oh well.
WOW!
Awesome!
Congratulations!
Awww {{Tommi}}
All Adither – Thank you so much! See, now the value of your drawing has gone up. Wee!
Carrie, thank you!!! It’s no book – but it’ll do!
Thanks, Renee!
Sue, I can’t even tell you how much it means to me that you’ve been on the sidelines all along. I mean family – sure, but you, you’re just awesome. I’m so glad you’ve stuck it out over the years with me! God knows I swing from branch to branch and back again, don’t I? Always come back to the easel, though – that’s what it’s all about.
Mom:
Sweet! Congratulations!!
I hope it brings lots of welcome work and good clients your way.
Bravo…
Leanne, that’s awesome! Congratulations :-)
Wonderfully well deserved recognition! Wow, You are such an amazing talent doing what you were born to do and soon everyone will know it! Awesome, hope your brushes are ready! I’m so thrilled for you. Hugs!
That is so awesome! I hope it brings you some well deserved attention …and commissions!
Thank you so much, Susan!!
Clara – brushes are always ready, it’s just time and patience that are missing sometimes… for everyone else, I mean.
Thanks, Ammie! I appreciate those wishes and welcome the traffic and commissions!
WOW!!!
That is fantastic Leanne!! That is just huge and such an accomplishment for an artist! I’m so proud and happy for you! You definitely deserve to have your work out there for the world to see. I predict it’s just the beginning of wonderful things for you my friend! 
Thank you so much, Marcia!
YR – I love it when you make predictions. They’re always packed full of goodness! Thank you!!!
Dancing in delight for you! I am so excited I have goosebumps.
HUGS!
Oh my!!!
I echo all the accolades expressed before me. I’m definitely going to pick me up a copy. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the moment! 
Woo hoo!!! That is SO awesome, Leanne! I feel kind of like I know a famous person now.
Katie is absolutely beautiful and she (and you) deserves to be displayed for all the (dog)world to see!
You totally rock!
Congratulations Leanne, that is fantastic! Your art is so beautiful I am not surprised you were featured in a magazine!
This is totally frickin awesome! Sorry I’m so behind, you know I’ve been sick, yeah?
I just feel so HAPPY for you! And Katie of course. :)
Congratulations!!!
xo
LBC
Thank you, Nancy! Goosebumps, even! Okay, me too, along with a little lightheadedness!
June – thank you! I checked at Borders over the weekend, the July issue isn’t out yet – I’ll update when I see it!
Geekwif! I’ve been famous for a long time!
So what if it’s just been in my head? 
Thanks so much, Cindy!
Lisa – it IS frickin awesome! Exactly what I’m saying every time I think about it!
Still on
Hope you’re feeling better!!
Thanks, LBC!