Author, illustrator, stylist and most importantly, dog lover, Julie Muszynski loves to draw dogs. So it only seems appropriate to present some of her gorgeous work on Mrs. Sizzle while the Westminster Dog Show is in full swing!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DRAWING DOGS? AND WHY DOGS?
After September 11th happened, I just could not take another day emerged in all the horrible war coverage. It was inescapable and terribly sad. I needed something to fill the deep hole of sadness, so I went to Madison Square Garden and bought a two day pass to the Westminster Dog Show. (February 2003 I think!) That year, I can remember that they honored some of the K9 Unit dogs at one of the evening shows and it was incredibly moving. There is nothing like a DOG! I started drawing the dogs at the show and I have been drawing them every year since. I love dogs and have been surrounded by them my entire life... No matter how terrible you feel or how bad your day has been, there is nothing that can put a smile on your face like the wagging tail of man's best friend.
WHAT IS SO FUN ABOUT WESTMINSTER?
Westminster is the "crème de la crème" of dog shows. The dogs, owners and handlers have been working and campaigning for years to get here. It is also one of the few, if not last, remaining bench shows in the country and of course, it is in New York City! It is a never ending spectacle... Sometimes I'm not quite sure what is more interesting, the dogs or the people!
TELL ME A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE UP TO NOW?
I am an artist, so I wear many hats. Since attending Westminster, I have met all sorts of wonderful people and learned all about the dog world. I have written five books about dogs including, The Red Book of Dogs and The Blue Book of Dogs, about the breeds in art, history and pop culture, and Henley, a sophisticated children's book series about a well-heeled traveling Japanese Chin. Books in the series include, Henley, A New York Tail, Henley, On Safari and the recently published, Henley, In Hollywood, all of which I write, illustrate and design. In addition, I am an adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design, The School of Fashion, where I teach critical thinking, research and design along with fashion illustration.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN DOG?
Yes, Funny Face Facey, my beloved Japanese Chin companion and friend.