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This is a larger canvas, 14” high by 24” wide, and it’s still very much in progress. Not even yet titled (“The Red Collar” and “Black and White” are two possibilities). The inspiration is a gorgeous great dane, “Harley,” who I met back in the spring, when I shot several hundred photos in preparation for a commissioned portrait.

You’ve met Harley already, too, in a couple of dog-a-day portraits, back in April (the 5th and the 20th).

As happens when I’m on these photo shoots, I find myself discovering ideas inspired by the animals’ personality or their surroundings – often completly separate from the client’s portrait wants. (Muses are haunting every corner, it seems, and they don’t always restrain themselves to the current subject or goal – for instance those gray tabby brothers that couldn’t keep their noses off my camera lens and the wheaten colored Scottie with his foot fetish.)

But in his household, Harley ruled my inspiration pool with a gentlemanly manner. It was The Harley Show, made perfectly clear as he stretched himself across the foyer rug during introductions. I had barely gotten in the door when I was already composing in my head – the curve of his body against the circular rug, a study in pattern and texture and harmony between the grays and neutrals.

This piece has come about as a result of that moment. It’s destined for a couple of different exhibitions, if I can get it finished in the next few weeks!

And because I know the questions will be coming – Harley’s more formal gallery stretched portraits (we’re doing both a full body piece and a head and shoulders painting) are in the early concept development stages, where the client and I are sharing ideas and sketches. You can watch the portrait develop at http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/, under “wet paint.”

Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for sharing these paintings with friends and family,
Enjoy your weekend!Kim

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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