“Charlotte’s Grin,” 5x7, beagle pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!!).

I’ve painted Charlotte a number of times (check the dog-a-day archives and you'll see her on June 22nd and January 22nd), and she is a favorite of mine. I’m currently painting her yet again, with her partner in crime Shadow, as a larger piece that’s intended for an exhibition later this fall (I’m also painting Shadow separately, the star of his own portrait).

Meanwhile, I did this latest little piece several weeks ago, but held off on posting for just such a day as today.

(Actually, I have a very small stash of dog-a-day paintings that I save for when I simply cannot make it into the studio. It has only happened maybe 3 times since last October, but knowing they are there helps to alleviate the stress when an already difficult day presents itself!)

Today started off fairly well, with just a short, very manageable list of errands, but temper tantrums and bickering held the school shopping trip off for several hours. (With hindsight, I should have just stayed home, sent everyone to their rooms for some quiet time, and pushed paint around – instead I stripped beds, did some laundry, ran the vacuum, and baked some zucchini bread, ever hopeful that we would get things straightened out.) We eventually did get out the door, but it was an abbreviated trip. Inclement weather sent us home before we had completed our errands list, and shortly thereafter thunderstorms and tornados sent us to the basement for a lengthy time (while dinner burned in the oven).

Meanwhile my brother and sister in law brought their two little guys (under 3) over for the night, and I began to realize that I was NOT going to make it into the studio at all!!

So I was very thankful for Miss Charlotte’s familiar grin. Hope it sets your weekend off on a good note! (I'm hoping things will just get better!!)

Thanks, as always, for your time.
And for sharing these paintings with friends and family.
Enjoy your weekend – I’ve gotta run – Connor’s stripped his diaper off yet again!!
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