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“Sleepy Marmalade,” 11” x 14”, acrylic feline portrait on canvasboard, $199. Proceeds from the sale of this portrait will go to the Friends of Michigan Animal Rescue in Bellevue, Michigan. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

When I was painting this cat, I found myself returning to a method I used in my college days – that of randomly placing daubs of color, allowing them to dictate pattern, lines, and shapes separate from the subject matter (yes, I used to paint abstractly). The surface of this painting has much going on – layers of glazes, texture scratched in with paint rubbed overtop, and unexpected yummy color. It’s a small step in the direction I would ultimately like to see my larger paintings travel. This piece is rather unorthodox, but never the less still good natured.

Returning to our subject matter here, though, don’t we all know a cat like this? A big ole’ purr factory, with an uncanny ability to hone in on the coziest spot in the house? Such is the story of Diamond, an orange tabby currently housed at the Friends of Michigan Animal Shelter in Bellevue Michigan. Diamond is the Walmart Greeter at the shelter, and he takes his job very seriously. He’s even been known to steal love from dog-only folk, so you know he’s good at his job.

And yes, Diamond is NOT a dog. But when I was talking with some of the rescues and shelters that partner with the dog-a-day project, they asked that I consider occasionally profiling a cat. Did you know that shelter cats stand an incredibly poor chance of being adopted? It’s a very sad reality.

If you are interested in learning more about Diamond or helping out the Friends of Michigan Animal Rescue, please contact Pete or Marcie LaFramboise at vb-petlover@comcast.net . You can read more about their efforts and view other adoptable dogs and cat through their website at http://www.fmar1.org/ . Donations can also be sent via this website.If you have adopted an animal from the Friends of Michigan Animal Rescue, are interested in commissioning your own dog-a-day portrait, and do so before June 30th, 20% of your sale will be donated to the shelter. Please contact me for more information – ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .Thanks, as always, for looking.And for sharing these paintings with friends and family

Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings

http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.

Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web

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