There’s so much exciting news to share with you in this, my first attempt at a quarterly newsletter. I’ll do my best to not go on forever, as some of you know I am apt to do…..

Most of you reading this already own an original painting of mine.  For that I would like to thank you, sincerely.  I genuinely hope your painting continues to give you pleasure - I know that with each piece I have learned something new and become a better artist.  For those of you who haven't yet bought a piece, I encourage you to ask any questions you might still have about the process.  I would love to make an original painting for you to enjoy.

January swept in with a rush of commission work, in addition to an overhaul of my website.  I was still on a high from the busy holiday season, and all the wonderful dogs and cats I got to paint at the tail end of 2004.  A year ago, January provided me for an opportunity to catch my breath and start some independent lifesize works – not so this year! Which is just as well, because I thoroughly enjoyed getting started on some exciting new commissions.

MURPHY the blue eyed dalmatian was one such piece. She started out as a head study, and so far has also shown up in a full body 30" rendition. The luminosity of her skin and the way her markings were anchored with those blue eyes were inspirational to me – a touch of spring sky in the middle of a long gray winter! And I know that the collection of photos Murphy’s owner supplied me with will lead to additional works – I am not done playing with the colors yet!!

ABOVE LEFT:  "Murphy," 22x20, acrylic on gallery stretched canvas, private collection.

ABOVE RIGHT:  "Spot," inspired by Murphy, 26x30, acrylic on gallery stretched canvas, available for purchase.  Please contact the artist with all inquiries:  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

I was the guest artist at the Orion Township Public Library (well, as of this writing, still AM the guest artist through the end of this month). I hung a group of dog portraits, which have been very well received. One of the portraits stars Finnigan, the puppy we got for Christmas this past year (he's the one smiling at you from the far upper left, on the red background). Murphy’s large painting, "Spot," is also part of this show.

ABOVE:  Installation view of east wall in Orion Township Public Library, March 2005.

March also saw the public debut of my first human portrait at the Orion Art Center’s All Media Exhibition. "Sidewalk Chalk," which I began painting last summer, is a piece depicting my son as he created a masterpiece out of chalk on our front walk. I was surprised and honored to learn the painting won 3^rd place, and plan to follow up this piece with one of my daughter.

LEFT:  "Sidewalk Chalk," 26x18, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, collection of the artist.  Well, actually, collection of the artist's son.

I also was pleasantly surprised to learn that my work is currently featured in the window of Margot’s Gallery & Frame, in Oxford Michigan.  It's not the best photo (shot in the early morning frost), but it gives you an idea of the entire display, which is really wonderful.  Feel free to contact Margot directly with any questions:  248-628-5398.

I am continuing work on my Larger Than Life series of paintings - I have several very exciting pieces in the planning stages, and hope to have them delivered to Tatum Studios early to mid-Spring.  Callie or Dave at Tatum can be reached by calling 248-814-8448.

I am in the planning stages for a number of spring events; please watch the exhibition page of my website for the details as they develop. I am especially thrilled to announce that Margot vanHorn of Margot’s Gallery & Frame in Oxford, Michigan has offered me a solo show, tentatively scheduled for March or April of 2006. Meanwhile, I hope to be showing my paintings at a number of venues, perhaps even outside the Detroit Metro area (keep your fingers crossed!!).

Wishing you bright days filled with color,

Kimberly