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Well, the leaves are starting to color, there is a bit of crispness to the air, and the school bus is again rolling past
my home. It is undeniable – fall is upon us! And it’s time for me to stop goofing around with my kids, buckle
down and get back to work.
This year I have three full studio days every week – it will be a luxury to have so much painting time, and I am
very excited at the opportunities to come. I have scheduled two full days for commission work, and the third I’ll spend
experimenting with new techniques, working on exhibition and independent pieces. The summer included many photo ops, and my
reference files are bursting. I am looking forward to being very productive as I tackle new commissions and pare down my stack
of "gotta paint" images. I encourage you to check back often to see the paintings as they roll of the easel.
I taught an introductory acrylic painting course through the Orion Art Center this fall, and we had a lot of fun mixing
colors, working with some basic still lifes and discussing what inspires us. Plans are underway for a beginning drawing course,
perhaps in the spring, and a continuation of the painting studies. I'm also entertaining fantasies of a summer workshop of
sorts. Contact the Art Center directly if you are interested in attending – their number is 248-693-4986.
I visited Tatum Studio’s new gallery in Petoskey Michigan this July. Their space is a haven of objects d’art:
fine furniture, sculpture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, fine art. I spent a day painting onsite, started two new
canvases (Turlington, pictured below, and Caravaggio, above left, both of which are hanging in the gallery, available for
purchase), and thoroughly enjoyed eating my way through a good portion of the town.
Petoskey itself is a vibrant and inspiring place, full of unique shops and inspiration – I am already looking forward
to my next visit (perhaps to take advantage of fall foliage…..).
What fun it was on August 13th, when my hometown got taken over by dogs!! If you didn’t make it,
here’s the scoop – all sorts of four legged vendors were on hand (including yours truly - thanks to the Orion
Art Center for loaning me their tent, and to my husband for not freaking out when I "borrowed" our family room curtains to
embellish the booth!), there was a dog parade, dog games and contests, many great prizes, all topped off by the swearing in
of our new Doggy Mayor. As part of his mayoral responsibilities, Mayor Junior got to pose for his own painted sketch (shown
below, 8x10).
I also shot over 200 reference photos that day which are bound to turn up as paintings – if you attended, you might
see your four-legged friend gracing a canvas in the months to come!
Just a reminder that I’m preparing for a solo exhibition at Margot’s Gallery in Oxford, MI during the month
of March. If you are interested in attending and are not on my "snail mail" list, please forward your address along, and I’ll
see to it that you get an announcement and invitation to the show opening. I have many wonderful paintings in process that
will be unveiled at the show, and am excited to share them with you.
I've also got four new miniature paintings headed to Newton, Kansas for a December exhibition at the Carriage Factory Gallery.
This event will showcase miniature artwork - nothing will be larger than 80 square inches! My "Rainbow Tortie," pictured
below, is only 5 inches wide! You can contact the Carriage Factory for more information: 316-284-2749.
For those of you with a portrait already on your walls, perhaps you are ready to take that painting with you, in the form
of a coffee mug, tshirt, or tote bag. Well, you can do that through Turtledove @ CafePress - my internet retail outlet that
allows you to purchase items customized with my artwork. Take a peek by clicking here – choose your item from my catalog,
then drop me a line, and I’ll customize it with your painting (or maybe there’s an image in my portfolio that
you love). The items are shipped directly to you – shopping doesn’t get much easier than this!! Check it out –
Turtledove @ CafePress at www.cafepress.com/ksantini.
And, in a few weeks, just in time for holiday card mailing, I’ll have postage stamps set up! You got it – real
US postage stamps depicting YOUR painting. How fun will that be? It might even make me get my cards out before the New
Year!!
And finally, it's impossible these days to not hear some sort of news regarding the hurricanes that pummeled the South
earlier this fall. Their aftermath remains unfathomable and daunting. We all have been watching as herioc souls work
to rebuild, and I know many of you reading this have participated in relief efforts in some way. Without diminishing the humanitarian
work that has to happen, I’d also like to call attention to the animals’ plight.
Many rescue organizations around the country have stepped in to help, sending teams, caring for animals, and even collecting
funds (some shelters in the areas impacted still cannot collect monies). Many of these rescue groups are raising funds to
support these efforts, which will be long term, since most of the animals that come in will be held for a minimum of 30 days.
Local shelters are in need, as well – some of their funds are being donated back to gulf coast efforts, and additionally
they (local shelters) are taking in relocated animals to help relieve sister shelters in the south. The care for these animals
requires supplies such as food, crates, kitty litter, toys, blankets, tack, buckets, lead shanks, halters, rope, etc. –
take a look around your home/barn, and perhaps you’ll find some items that would be well appreciated at your local shelter.
I have a great amount of gratitude for each of you. Thank you for your friendship and shared stories, your
business and continued referrals - they make my days so much brighter, as do the smiling faces on all the paintings lining
the walls of my studio. So, again, thank you, sincerely.
Happy trick or treating and turkey feasting!
-Kimberly
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