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Welcome to "Color Me Canine (Hound Group)"!
If you like coloring realistic drawings with just a bit of extra, I promise you will have fun with this book.
If you are looking for your next canine buddy or you just like oohing and aahing over all the cool dogs, this book is for you as well.
Some of what you will find inside:
· All the coloring pages are done by me, a Maxwell award-winning artist.
· There's honest info about Hounds in general. Did you know that usually, your hound sees you as a good friend, rather than his master? You are a lovely part of their day, but they are not going to do what you say just because you say it. Does that sound like the right type of dog for you?
· Two-page breed descriptions of each breed including a crowdsourced "In Three Words".
The plan is to have seven coloring books, one for each American Kennel Club Group. Done so far (as of 2021) are Toy Dogs and Herding Breeds. This is Volume 3.
Still have a way to go! I better get busy.
About the author
My mother took me to my first dog show when I was eight. This fascinated me, and I immediately wanted to show our Standard Poodle.
Mom explained the many reasons why this wasn't possible, and I understood but there was a little voice in my head that said, "Someday you're going to do that." Of course, being eight, the next week I was telling everyone that I wanted to be a jockey.
I have always loved to draw and filled sketchbooks with an attempt at professionalism. My older sister Lucy was much better than me, so one day in frustration I asked her, "How do you get to be so good?"
"Draw what you see," she replied. It's the best art advice I've ever received. Following that tip, I have always created works that just seemed right to me - realistic, accurate but with a twinkle that no photograph could capture.
While living in Germany I was accepted as an art student by the Munich Academy. I attended one day of classes where I was told bluntly that I was doing everything wrong, that I needed to fix all my techniques and procedures. Hmm, I thought. Maybe I'll do just fine on my own. Never went back.
As a young mom, I started breeding and showing Silky Terriers. I loved it - it was the fulfillment of a dream. Fast forward almost 40 years and Tessier Silky Terriers has just completed its 130th AKC champion and we have had many top winners, including two World Champions. For more information about our dogs, you can visit www.tessier-silky-terriers.com.
Several years ago, it occurred to me that it would be fun to take up drawing again, this time specializing in canine art. As well as custom work, I have an ever-expanding line of greeting and special occasion cards, available at https://sandy-bergstrom-mesmer-designs.myshopify.com. I also have a line of over 150 pen and ink limited edition prints. In 2012 I won a Maxwell for my German Shepherd "Headshot" print. It can be seen on the German Shepherd breed page.
I was recently thrilled to hear that the first volume in my Color Me Canine Series, the Toy Group, has also received a Maxwell.
