This month, Shannon Church of Modern Dog Magazine profiles North Carolina dog artist Clair Hartmann.
One of the paintings the magazine chose to represent Clair's work is the Darby painting she sent me after I wrote about his death.
We both consider this painting a breakthrough, artistically for her (she felt the painting painted itself), emotionally for me (it was cathartic to see Darby again in a different light, and it enabled me to say "yes" to my new dog, Tyler). So we were both pleased — I used the term "freaking out" — when the Modern Dog editors shared Darby with their readers.
I was curious how the profile came about.
Moira McLaughlin: Did you submit your work to Modern Dog Magazine?
Clair Hartmann: No, they approached me. I'm not sure how they found me. I'm thinking being on Dog Art Today might have had something to do with it.
MM: Who selected the paintings?
CH: They asked me for specific paintings, and I was thrilled when they chose Darby.
MM: How was the interview conducted?
CH: It was a written Q + A, which I like best because it gives you time to think, and you don't sound like such a boob when it's published…hopefully.
MM: What has been the response to the article compared with other press you've received?
CH: I've gotten a few inquiries and one commission, which surprised me because thought I would get more. I look at press as a whole. The more you have written about you, the more known you are. It's all connected and it leads to other things like shows and other media. I do believe it started with Dog Art Today's blog post about my Downtown Dog Project. That's when my work started reaching other people outside of my "zone," which ultimately means more sales and commissions.
MM: Thank you, Clair, for bringing Darby's sweet face back to me in new and surprising ways. And thank you for your continued support of Dog Art Today. I think your new ad is fantastic (see right sidebar).
If you would like to get noticed on Dog Art Today, please visit my Advertisd Here page.
Visit Clair Hartmann's website.
Read Shannon Church's profile of Clair Hartmann on Modern Dog Magazine.
