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When it rains, it pours!
And it's raining cats and dogs in the studio.
Quite literally.
I found myself with so many requests for
dog-a-day portraits, that I double, triple, and even quadruple booked myself for the holidays. That on top of an
already full exhibition and (stretched canvas) calendar.
I pretty much have not had much of a life
lately. But I don't mind so much. I still love what I do!
So I have been pushing a lot of paint
around, and delegating a lot of responsibilities to my family. Thankfully they remain terribly supportive, and I am
ever so grateful for that this season!
Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday
that rolls you into the new year with full bellies and smiles on your faces,
Take care,
Kim
Turtledove, 1990-2007
Thanksgiving Day took on extraordinary meaning this year as we said a tearful goodbye to our Turtle.
Turtledove was a rescued kitty Rick and I adopted shortly after we got married and moved cross-country to California
(oh so many years ago). Turtle quickly wormed her way into everyone's heart with her gentle, playful nature and dove-like
coo, err, meow. She became my muse right from the start, and then the studio's namesake years later.
What a blessing
it is to have loved something so simple so strongly. And how difficult it still is when I round the corner of the garden
and see the smooth stone of her grave peering from underneath the drifting snow.
Hug your kitties and your dogs and
your family - they are all gifts, whether we have them for a fleeting moment or for what seems like an eternity.
Fall Class Leads to New Series of Paintings
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| "The Purple Collar," 6" x 12", acrylic dog collar portrait on canvasboard. |
My class is completed, and
it's been an unreal learning experience.
I found out that I'm more
confidant than I thought with human portraiture, and a little - or, a lot - stiff when it comes to still life renderings.
In order to overcome this hesitation, I
set up a small corner of the studio as a still life area. I've been painting dog tags and other dog ephemera as still
lives (you can view the tag paintings on the Painting a Dog a Day blog, and I'll eventually build a separate page for them on my website). It's been a great exercise, sometimes painting
the same object at different times of the day, under different types of lighting, and from various angles. I know this
venture will push my hand and I will continue to learn and grow throughout the winter months.
Meanwhile, if you find yourself with a dog tag, collar, leash, or some other item you would like included in the
project (no obligation to purchase!), please send it to me at 346 N Anderson, Lake Orion, Michigan, 48362. If you would
like the object(s) returned, include return postage and packaging. I will acknowledge receipt of all items.
Commissions Update
The Painting a Dog a Day project is now booked over a year in advance.
I am still on hiatus from commissioned larger stretched
canvases, but am maintaining a wait list (send inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com ).
Remember that during this hiatus I will still be painting
large scale – simply focusing on assignments and subject matter appropriate for particular exhibitions. There is always the possibility I will select your animal as the subject for
a specific piece, and if that happens, you’ll get the option to purchase the piece.
Larger paintings available for purchase are always visible
at www.turtledovedesigns.com/available.html. I've also cleaned out some of the piles of canvases stacked up in here - older ones have
been marked down, and you can view them at www.turtledovedesigns.com/studio_cleanup_sale.html .
Think about giving yourself the gift of an extra daily smile during 2008.
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.
Shelter & Rescue Week becomes Animal
Welfare Week
Our tally has reached over
$1800 raised to support shelters, rescues, and service animal organizations. My goal this summer was $1000 - I'd like
to see us hit $2000 now before the end of the year.
Sounds very feasible, doesn't it?!
You can add to that tally by purchasing
an unsold painting from a prior Animal Welfare Week. You could also commission a dog-a-day portrait if you have
an animal adopted from the Oakland Pet Adoption Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dog-a-day commissions of Paws With
a Cause service dogs are also eligable. 20% of the purchase price of these commissions will go back to the shelter or
Paws With a Cause.
Dog a Day Collage "Many Faces" Wins AKC/Eukanaba National Championship Dog Show Poster Competition
I recently returned
from a trip to Long Beach, California, to attend the AKC/Eukanaba National Championship Dog Show. What a phenomenal
experience that was!
My design, titled "Many Faces," a collage
built of dog-a-day paintings that was then embellished and re-painted, won 1st place in their poster competition. The image
became the commemmorative poster for the dog show.
Signed posters are available to purchase
through the AKC web site - simply go to the AKC store, and look for "AKC Collectibles."
I'd like to also thank the AKC and Eukanaba
staff who went out of their way to ensure that my weekend was beyond perfect.
Awards, Honors & Exhibitions
Dog Fancy's December issue had a short article about the one year anniversary of
the Painting a Dog-a-Day project.
Numerous other canine related publications ran the AKC press release about the poster
award mentioned above.
Horses in Art's winter magazine included an article about my work.
I continue to work diligently every day to become a better artist, and to provide
you with a better painting. I have a number of juried shows on the horizon, along with some invitational exhibitions.
Please visit the Exhibitions Page of my website for regular updates.
Thanks, as always, for your time, your friendship, and your patronage.
Happy New Year!
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