Ahead of her book tour - Harriet has been all over the place painting her amazing dogs on book-shop windows. I've popped in to see her when she's doing it and it's a chaotic, creative mess - and the results are incredible!
She has also just been popping back to Christmas-up all the pups by adding some snow and some little scarves and hats! I know that a lot of the bookshops want to keep them up all year round, so Harriet can design them for all different seasons. Here is Mostly Books in Abingdon;
She first starts by doing the rough outlines of her design in posca pens (from Cult Pens) and then (her fave part) adding colour into all of it on the inside. She mostly uses Amsterdam Acrylic and liquitex acrylic paint from Jackson's Art. Check our Harriet's patreon for lots of behind the (slightly chaotic) scene clips.
Here is our lovely mascot Sean Connery modelling a selection;
Something that would probably take a few hours, usually took her all day (or two..) because so many lovely people would come in to chat, ask about the windows, and of course if they had a dog, they had to be said hello to. She was also there on hand to sign any of her books that people came in to buy!
With Bert's Books she was there for five days getting the window perfect and chatting to the lovely Alex who Harriet has been on BBC Radio Wiltshire with many times.
There was a minor incident where a dog was mistook for a fox...
Here is a during and after photo of the Borzoi Bookshop in Stow-On-The-Wold, such a cute book shop in the Cotswolds with lovely people working there.
And here it is after Harriet made it festive!
I popped in with Dassie, my oldest Labrador, to have a look around and admire the window. She looks unimpressed by the lack of representation - we'll have words with Harriet.
Personally this little fella is my fave at The MadHatter Bookshop in Burford;
I really enjoy receiving updates from Harriet on how the painting is going because it results in 10/10 selfies;
If you're in any of these areas, pop by to check out the windows - and tag us in your photos please!
The book tour continues in 2026 so grab your copy of Tell Your Dog I Love Them and keep your eyes peeled for new dates where you can come and meet Harriet and she will draw your dog (or anteater....)
We would also love to hear from you if you would like to work with us! It's been a chaotic few months but we are absolutely open to get some exciting things in the diary so email us at info@madebyharriet.co.uk
