“Ready for the Off” Awarded Special Merit by Art & Color 365

Award-winning animal artist Sarah Webb receives Special Merit recognition from Art & Color 365 for “Ready for the Off,” featuring Woodland with Pytchley hounds at Dingley Racecourse.

Award winning animal artist UK Sarah Webb is delighted to share that “Ready for the Off” has received Special Merit in Art & Color 365’s 2025 Wildlife & Animals competition.

To receive this recognition amongst such an incredibly talented international group of artists is a genuine honour, and one I’m immensely proud of as a UK animal artist specialising in bespoke pet and wildlife portraiture.

Award Winning Animal Artist UK Special Merit Success

Art & Color describes Special Merit winners as the top tier of the competition, with the three overall winners selected from this distinguished group.

Every artwork entered is judged on four key criteria:

• Overall impression and visual impact
• Composition
• Technique and use of media
• Creativity and originality

Receiving a Special Merit award means the piece demonstrated strong technical ability, a compelling composition, originality, and that all-important “wow” factor that captures attention immediately.

As an artist, this kind of recognition is especially meaningful because it acknowledges both technical skill and emotional impact — two things I strive for in every piece I create.

The Story Behind “Ready for the Off”

“Ready for the Off” captures Pytchley with Woodland Hounds at Dingley Racecourse, poised in that extraordinary moment of stillness before the excitement begins.

What drew me to this scene was the quiet anticipation, the focus in their expressions, and the unmistakable character of the hounds. There’s something incredibly powerful about those fleeting moments just before movement — when everything feels suspended for a second.

As an animal artist working from my UK studio, I’m always fascinated by expression, atmosphere, and storytelling through portraiture.

Whether I’m creating a commissioned dog portrait, a cherished pet memorial artwork, or a larger wildlife composition, my aim is always the same: to create artwork that captures personality, emotion, and connection.

If you’d like to see more examples of my animal artwork, you can explore my gallery or learn more about my bespoke pet portrait commissions.

Published in Art & Color Magazine

An additional highlight of this achievement was seeing “Ready for the Off” published in Art & Color Magazine alongside an extraordinary collection of international artists.

The standard of work featured in the publication was genuinely breathtaking, making inclusion all the more special.

To be recognised not only with an award, but also as a published artist in Art & Color Magazine, is something I will always be proud of.

Award-Winning Animal Art in the UK

Recognition like this reflects the passion and detail I bring to every artwork I create.

From bespoke dog portraits to wildlife commissions, I work closely with clients to create deeply personal pieces that celebrate the animals they love.

If you’re looking for an award-winning animal artist in the UK to create a one-of-a-kind portrait of your pet, I’d love to hear from you.

Looking for a Bespoke Pet Portrait?

Whether you’re interested in:

• Dog portraits
• Horse portraits
• Wildlife artwork
• Memorial pet portraits
• Bespoke animal commissions

please feel free to get in touch to discuss your ideas.

Original Hound Artwork Collection by Award Winning Animal Artist Sarah Webb

Explore a collection of original hound artwork and sporting dog portraits by award winning animal artist Sarah Webb. From elegant profile studies to characterful countryside-inspired compositions, each piece celebrates the beauty, expression, and individuality of these remarkable dogs. My original animal artwork is created to capture both likeness and emotion, whether as fine art pieces or bespoke commissioned portraits.