Artists are a tough, passionate lot. They have little choice.

Even the best of them often struggle to make a decent living and those who attain success have to stay focused - extremely focused and extremely involved in and with their subject material. Successful artists, more often than not, find a niche, a passion, and stay within it.

Those niches - landscapes, still life, wildlife/animals, hunting scenes or any number of others - become their life's blood, their passions. That is, if they ever find their niche.

Jane Metz found hers. She found her life-long passion for sporting dogs, especially pointing dogs, was her niche - sporting dogs painted in a classic, old world style not seen for decades.

She also found out the hard way that successful artists have to stay tuned-in and close to their subject matter. A three-year absence from working full time on her art nearly forced her out of the business. And, while she wasn't working at it fulltime, she was still painting as time allowed - a commission here, selling a print there - keeping her going, though not in the manner of which she was accustomed - which was working fulltime as one of the nation's most highly acclaimed sporting dog artists. But her Midwestern upbringing and a stubborn streak inherited from her parents is bringing her back to it fulltime.

Earlier this year she got back to the basics and reacquainted herself with her passion - pointing dogs at the national bird dog field trial championships.

It had been three years since Metz has walked the hallowed halls of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, TN, or sat astride a horse and rode with the judges during the national bird dog trials. But for the 40-something Texan, her trip there this year made her feel right at home again - like she had never missed one of the events.

Everywhere she turns at the museum, bird dog handlers, trainers and owners greet her as if she is family, often even as something of a celebrity. "I've really missed this," she said as she headed towards the room at the museum where the National Bird Dog Hall of Fame inductions were about to be held. "Being away from this has been hard," she said as she was shaking hands with and getting hugs from handlers and dog owners from around the country. Many of them had recognized her from across the crowded room and made it a point to walk over to say hello and get an update on her life and art.

Metz' absence from her fulltime passion was out of necessity - her help was needed to care for her ailing father. "He was the biggest supporter of my decision to follow my art and see where it could take me," she said. "His death took me away from this fulltime and set me back a bit."

When a friend urged her to attend this year's event, Metz jumped at the opportunity. Hall of Fame members greeted her like she was one of them. In a way, she is. A hunter, dog breeder, trainer and even a top-ranked national show-ring handler, Metz knows dogs. Those at the national field trial know and respect that about her. They say her knowledge of dogs makes her sporting dog art come alive.

With all the attention, it would be easy for her to be a bit aloof, a bit standoffish, even stuck up. After all, her commissioned painting of Ch. Bozeann's Mosley hangs in the museum permanently. And, her bone fides include just about every major gundog magazine cover in the United States, along with commissions from private individuals and major companies to paint the top gundogs in the country during this century's first decade. Her work hangs and/or has been sold in major galleries from New York to Dallas, Atlanta to Denver. She's even painted former President George Bush's dog, Barney.

Her Midwestern roots (she's a Kansas native and a graduate of Kansas State University) refuse to allow her to be anything but friendly, and, well, just about as down-to-earth as they come. Besides, she says with a laugh, "My mother wouldn't allow me to be stuck-up."

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2037506.jpeg> Jane Metz, self-taught artist who loves painting animals in the classic old world style.

A self-taught artist, Metz never even took an art class in high school or college. Yet, she's as successful, if not more so, than artists with years of formal training. The secret to her success? "I know dogs," she said in a voice that let you know it was no brag, just fact, "And I'm passionate about them. As a former breeder and trainer, I know what makes them tick and I know what a good dog looks like. My art is just a reflection of my experiences with sporting dogs throughout my life."

Metz' painting style also separates her from other dog artists. "I love the classic, old world poses and my art reflects that," she said.

The diminutive blonde admits her absence from the national bird dog scene as a fulltime artist has made it tough on her ability to make a living through art the past couple of years. "But this is like a new beginning," she said of her trip to the national field trial. "It feels great being here, reconnecting with old friends, meeting some new ones and meeting folks who have made this sport great."

Metz received invitations to ride with the gallery and to spend the night at the famed Ames Plantation. "I can't pass up those opportunities," she said while snapping some photos of some of her friends. "Opportunities like these just don't fall into your lap every day," she said.

There is more to Metz' desire for success than her own fame and fortune. Sure, she needs to support her two sons, but there is more - she sees a need to help other women who need help and have no where to get it. "I meet women every day who just need a break," she says, her voice cracking with emotion. "If I can be successful with my art, which is my passion, maybe I can help some of them be successful with their passions."

If her determination and refined talent are any indication, Metz will be back at the top of her game in no time and, in turn, her success will help other women be just as successful.

"Art and life are about passion," she said, her blue eyes dancing as she talks about helping others. "I want to use my passion, my art, to help others with their passions. Hey, helping others...that's what life is all about."