usadogart.com
About the Artist
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| usadogart.com Copyright 2009-2010. Anne M. Hier. All Rights Reserved. Contact: annemhier@usadogart.com |
Hier holds both a BFA and MFA in studio art from Michigan State University. "The great thing
about the MFA is that it teaches you to show up every day and work, rather than make
excuses that some muse hasn't lighted on your shoulder. Art is great - it can be a hobby or a
profession. But, if you want to make your living at it, you have to put in the studio time -
everyday."
Additionally, Hier graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School with a
concentration in International Law. "My main motivation for law school was to learn about
copyright law, contracts, and the law of cyberspace, as well as take every research and
writing class offered to improve in that area," she said. "When I started selling my work all you
needed was a business card, a portfolio, and a great pair of shoes to pound the pavement.
But, being an artist and writer today means marketing on the internet. I love it because it
has allowed me to sell artwork and books around the world."
Hier's principal media are pen and ink, colored pencil, and oil paintings. However, she works
in numerous other media, including graphite, pastel, watercolor, and intaglio printing. Her
favorite subject matter and specialty is dogs, but she beautifully captures the expression of
many other animals. "I have been drawing in pen and ink since I was fourteen and I received
my first portrait commission when I was sixteen. It was a challenging full body oil portrait of
my 4-H leader's Morgan stallion. I just love to push paint on canvas and I also do landscapes,
but I never get tired of drawing all the variation that occurs in dogs. So many people now
consider dogs to be members of the family that there is a strong demand for canine
portraiture," Hier stated.
Hier is a recognized dog expert and has owned and exhibited purebred dogs, principally
Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, since 1975. She has been a dog show judge since 1988. She also
worked for the American Kennel Club in New York City as Director, Judging Research and
Development. Her principal responsibilities included creating both print and multi-media
educational programs for dog show judges and lecturing throughout the USA and Canada.
Hier is the author of the book Dog Shows Then and Now: An Annotated Anthology, and has
won three Maxwell Awards from the Dog Writers Association of America. Hier recently
launched USADOGART™ to feature her artwork and writing online at
http://www.usadogart.com
Current projects for Hier include graphite illustrations for the Affenpinscher Club of America's
Illustrated Guide, a corporate oil painting commission for the United Kennel Club in
Kalamazoo, Michigan and - another dog book.
Hier accepts commissions and illustration jobs. She may be contacted at:
annemhier@usadogart.com
Anne M. Hier, JD, MFA is an artist, writer, and dog show judge. Her
illustrations and articles have appeared in various magazines and books
since 1977. "Sam Kohl,owner of the New York School of Dog Grooming,
had seen some of my published canine cartoons and drawings and asked
me to illustrate his book, All About Dog Shows. That was a big break for
me and it gave me a lot of credibility - especially since I had no formal
art training at that time. But, it also made me realize that I would go a
lot further if I went to college and became more professional," said Hier.
illustrations and articles have appeared in various magazines and books
since 1977. "Sam Kohl,owner of the New York School of Dog Grooming,
had seen some of my published canine cartoons and drawings and asked
me to illustrate his book, All About Dog Shows. That was a big break for
me and it gave me a lot of credibility - especially since I had no formal
art training at that time. But, it also made me realize that I would go a
lot further if I went to college and became more professional," said Hier.