Salem Artist Vies for Spot on Wine Label!

Salem artist Rachael Rossman has entered the 3rd annual Mutt Lynch wine label contest with her painting, "Naughty."

The contest is a collaboration of Dog Art Today and Mutt Lynch Winery, North America's most renowned dog winery. The winning entry will be made into a label for Mutt Lynch Winery's limited edition wine (only 500 bottles) that will debut at the winery's Dog Days of Summer event on August 6, 2011.  This annual event includes wine tasting, dog-themed art, and vendor booths to benefit the Healdsbug Animal Shelter.

There are 101 entries this year, and the Top 10 Finalists are determined by popular vote. Rossman has launched Twitter, Facebook and email campaigns to reach out to her clients, fans, friends and neighbors.

“My painting of Chickenbone Jones made it to the finals last year,” says Rossman. “This year, I’m in it to win it.”

Voting continues through May 21. From the Top 10 Finalists, a winner will be chosen by Brenda Lynch, winemaker/co-owner of Mutt Lynch Winery; Rae Huestis, wine label designer; and Moira McLaughlin, founder of Dog Art Today.

Rossman’s work has been featured on marthastewart.com, dooce.com, The Pioneer Woman, The Bark and others.

You can vote for Rossman’s painting (#62) – and check out the competition – at http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com/art/2011/05/vote-for-the-2011-wine-label-contest.html.