My husband and I had planned a low-key summer, with no major trips, and lots of down time (translation:  relaxing!).  We wanted the kids to experience an old-fashioned sort of break, full of unstructured play time -  spur of the moment wiffle ball games, 4-square tournaments, leisurely walks, heated squirtgun wars, carefree afternoons reading up in the treehouse, melty ice cream cones on the front porch.

We’ve had all that and them some - great concerts under the stars, enjoyed many delish bar-b-ques, and watched three generations of sparrows grow up and fly away.

And somehow in-between all this, I’ve continued to carve out productive niches of time in the studio.  There’s been many a late night, accompanied by Miles Davis and a glass of wine or two, but there also have been some wonderful afternoons backed up by the laughter of kids playing for the Checkers Championship of the Universe.

Unlike past summers, none of us seem eager for the return of our school year routine.  But it will be upon us shortly.  I think I’ll pout as fiercely as the dog on that first day the school bus carts the kids away.

The kids won’t be the only ones packing up for a return to the books.  I’ll be doing the same.  I am VERY excited to start a 13 week course studying color with one of my favorite artists, Vianna Szabo (www.viannaszabo.com) .

I am constantly reading everything I can, attending talks and workshops, and you most likely already know the daily paintings work, but this course will give me the opportunity to really delve into color mixing and handling light, areas that I have been fascinated with. 

The end ½ of the class will also include work from a live model, another focus I have been studying.  It promises to be a fall full of learning and new discovery!  Stay tuned…..

And don't forget you can subscribe to the daily paintings for free - just plug your email address into the Google box below and the dog-a-days will be delivered directly to you.

I mentioned in my last newsletter that I was designating the first full week of each month’s Dog-a-Days as Shelter & Rescue week.  During that week I profile only shelter and rescue dogs, with proceeds from the sales of those 5 paintings being returned to the animals’ host shelter or rescue.

Additionally, if during that month I receive any dog-a-day commissions depicting animals from the same shelters & rescues profiled, proceeds from those sales are donated to the host shelter or rescue.

The first Shelter & Rescue Week happened in May 2007, and included the Michigan Humane Society, the Pug Rescue Network, Second Chances Pit Bull Rescue, and the Friends of Michigan Animal Rescue.  Subsequent months have spotlighted Ingham County Animal Shelter and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

To date this project has raised over $500 for these partnering shelters and rescues!!  I would like to thank the dog-a-day clients and readers for supporting this idea, and in return, supporting animal welfare.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

I would be remiss not to thank the staff of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for the outstanding job they did on their feature article about Painting a Dog a Day. 

If you are not a subscriber of Best Friends Magazine, you may view the article in a pdf format here.

Helen Cunniff Project

I know I mentioned this in my last newsletter, but it bears repeating again. 

I am chronicling the teachings of a well known local artist and inspiration, Helen Cunniff.  Helen ran a gallery in Lake Orion for 25 years, and her art and teachings touched many.  Even 8 years after her death, Helen’s presence is still felt.

With the support of the Orion Art Center, I am collecting oral and written histories starring Helen, along with cataloging ephemera (including art).  I am debating the pros and cons on online publishing vs printed materials, but whatever occurs, the research will be left with the Art Center.  Helen was a founding member, and her teachings should rest with them.

It is also my hope that this project will culminate in an exhibition, perhaps as soon as the fall of 2009.

If you have any Helen Cunniff stories you wish to share or photographs/artwork/ephemera that should be catalogued, please contact me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

Thanks in advance!

Awards, Honors & Exhibitions

On Monday evening (August 20^th), I attended a beautiful opening at the Michigan State Fair.  Last year my painting “My Brother’s Keeper” (above) earned a People’s Choice Award.  This year I was delighted to learn that “Swish” received second place overall.

I will be painting my Dog-a-Day piece on site at the State Fairgrounds on Wednesday, August 29^th from about 11am-2ish.  I might even get a couple pieces completed – we’ll see what happens.  I also plan to visit the barns and put my new digital slr camera to work.

I have entered pieces into a number of juried shows and exhibitions this fall.  It is too early to receive the jurors opinions yet, but keep an eye on the Exhibitions page of my site.  I’ll update the shows in italics as soon as I receive word that I’ve made the cut.

Group Show Announcement

I am thrilled to announce that a new body of work will be showcased in a group show at Margot’s Gallery this fall.  My paintings will be hung in the excellent company of art by Dian Benoit, Durwood Coffey, Sharyn Davis, William Dwyer, Debbie Johnson, Nora Mendoza and Larry Tucci.

Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, September 29th, from 7-10pm.  We'll also have an encore party Sunday, September 30th, from noon-4pm.

The show will be up through October 20th. 

Watch here for the show invitation.

Other Shows

There are a couple of other shows worth mentioning (not that they ALL aren’t worth mentioning, but just humor me and read on):

• The Canine Art Guild has “hung” their second online exhibition.  This one is titled “Dogs Just Wanna Have Fun,” and you can view it at www.canineartguild.com/gallery/ .  There is People’s Choice voting on this one, and not that I’m saying you need to vote for anyone in particular (although Finnigan’s Frisbee painting is pretty cool!), but it’s well worth taking a few minutes to browse through.  At the very least, you’ll get a grin or two out of the collection.
• Secondly, another on-line site includes one of my pieces.  Take a peek at http://www.ccpvideos.com/artshows/index.php?obj=artshow&oid=1304 (if this link no longer works after August 30^th, try www.ccpvideos.com/artshows, and look for the summer 2007 exhibit).  Entries close August 30^th, after which point you may vote for your favorite.  There’s a lot of beautiful entries already – this is a nice site that hosts regular exhibitions with a great cross-section of art.

Again, I must thank all of you for your support this year.  Your notes, shared stories, photos, studio visits, friendships – it’s all so very much appreciated.  You have made my live richer in many, many ways, and I am so grateful for it.

Looking forward to seeing you at one of my openings, or perhaps a live paint, or maybe it’ll be a late night email.  Regardless, I am looking forward to it!

Take care,

Kim